Isabella Haakanson

Cama’i! Bella Haakanson (she/her) is Sugpiaq (Old Harbor, AK), born in Kodiak, AK. A second-year student at UCLA double majoring in International Development Studies and American Indian Studies, with a minor in Music Industry, Bella currently serves as a Resident Assistant for the American Indian and Pacific Islander Living Learning Community, where she supports students through culturally grounded programming, advocacy and community care.

Previously, Bella worked with the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA) in Seattle, where she was honored with the 2024 King County Leadership Award, nominated by Sarah Sense-Wilson, for her commitment to Native youth leadership and education. Her work centers on Indigenous visibility, access to culturally rooted resources and creating supportive spaces for Native youth navigating institutions not built for them.

In addition to Bella’s academic and leadership roles, she is part of a cultural music group with her cousins. SoCal Sugpiaq performs Alutiiq songs and dances to sustain cultural knowledge, language and environmental relationships rooted in Kodiak Island. These practices continue to ground her commitment to environmental stewardship, intergenerational knowledge sharing and community-based leadership.

Through her work and education, Bella is dedicated to strengthening Native youth leadership and advancing Indigenous environmental advocacy.