Alaska Region: Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove – Aleut, Washington State University
I’m McKenna Merle and I am a proud 21-year-old Aleut woman who graduated with a biology degree, Cum Laude, from Washington State University in 2023 and am now in my 2nd year of Veterinary school at Washington State University. A deep-seated love of animals coupled with the overall need to uplift Native Communities set me on this path when I was four. Now, halfway done with my education, I can envision a future where I transcend traditional boundaries by reaching underserved communities and providing holistic low-cost services, increased healthcare accessibility, community education and the enhancement of both the animal and the human. Healthy working animals contribute to the health, welfare, and sustainability of both the owner and the environment. Disease prevention, zoonotic concerns, ecological impacts, and overpopulation can all be addressed by comprehensive animal knowledge and skills by one of our own! Relying on internal knowledge to support the diverse environment of the Indigenous Community will allow me to contribute in a meaningful and productive way.
