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Mildred Jonathan
Mildred Jonathan is an Athabascan elder from Tanacross, Alaska. She was born to Kenneth and Ellen Thomas in the old village of Tanacross, which was across the river from the current village. The village was relocated and rebuilt on higher ground to be better protected from flooding. Mildred grew up in a traditional subsistence lifestyle, where she learned to sew and bead at a young age and also went hunting and trapping with her father. Since Mildred's mother was originally from Mansfield, the family lived both in Tanacross and Mansfield and traveled the country. Mildred is known for her knowledge of traditional skills and language. Along with her husband, Alfred, Mildred has been involved with summer culture camps where they teach traditional skills and language to children. It is important to Mildred that the children learn traditional Native values and ways of doing things.