Storytelling Team
Princess Daazhraii Johnson
Co-Founder Deenaadài’ Productions (Neet’saii Gwich’in and Koyukon)
Writer/Director/Producer/SAG-AFTRA Actor
Princess brings over 20 years of storytelling experience in the entertainment industry back home to Alaska. She is a mother to three boys and creative produced two seasons of the Peabody-award winning and is an Emmy nominated writer for PBS Kids show “Molly of Denali”. Her most recent works include her short films “Diiyeghan Naii Taii Tr’eedaa” shot in the Gwich’in language and produced through Nia Tero, in partnership with REI Co-op Studios and “Gath & K’iyh: Listen to Heal” featuring Yo-Yo Ma. She is in early stages of development with Deenaadàį’ storytelling team on her first feature film she is slated to adapt/direct, “Two Old Women” based on the book by Velma Wallis and was recently selected to the Illuminatives/Netflix Producer’s Program with this project. She is passionate about storytelling and making inroads for other Indigenous filmmakers.
Evon Peter
(Neet’saii Gwich’in and Koyukon)
Producer
Evon is an advocate of Indigenous knowledges, languages, and rights, especially as they relate to the health and well-being of communities. Evon is a senior research scientist at the Center for Alaska Native Health Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and director of Tanan Ch’at’oh, a Gwich’in language nest. He has served as a board member for the Gwich’in Council International since 2015. Evon has previously served as the tribal chief for Vashrąįį K'ǫǫ and as vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education at UAF. His work has focused on incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices into healing, leadership development, film production and Alaska Native language revitalization programs.Evon is a producer on award-winning documentary, We Breathe Again, which premiered on American ReFramed in 2017 and served as Associate Producer and Cultural Advisor on Attla, a documentary about Alaska Native dog musher George Attla released in 2019 by Independent Lens. He resides in Fairbanks with his wife and four children.
James Calen Johnson III
(Koyukon)
Cinematographer/Editor
James spent several years as an Indigenous evaluator before transitioning into filmmaking. He holds a certificate in Rural Human Services and BA in Sociology, both from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He is a 2023 Nia Tero Storytelling Fellow and a current participant in the Alaska Native Filmmakers Intensive, an ongoing project through Native Movement and UAF Film & Theatre.
Over the past several years, James has served as a primary editor on “Diiyeghan Naii Taii Tr’eedaa” and as DP and editor on another (yet to be released) commissioned short film project due late 2023. He has worked on two additional film projects as a crew member for MTV and the Alaska Native Heritage Center; and is working on his first short doc that he will co-direct and shoot. James can generally be found traveling across the state of Alaska filming in communities that face climate justice issues.
Outside of his career, James enjoys spending time with his family, learning new skill sets, and playing guitar and basketball. As a lifelong student – he is always looking for ways to better himself, refine his filmmaking, and remaining eager to make positive contributions to the world around him for the next generation.
Alisha Carlson
(Neets’aii Gwich’in)
Associate Storyteller
Alisha Carlson (Neets'aii Gwich'in) follows in the footsteps of her Ancestor's creativity and imagination. In addition to her filmmaking endeavors, she works for the Arctic Village Tribal Council and is a mother to her two children. She has her AAS degree in Accounting and Business. She has always been active in ensuring that Gwich'in dance and songs continue for generations to come. She associate produced and appears in “Diyeeghan Naii Taii Tr’eedaa”. She looks forward to making more films in the Gwich'in language that uplift her beautiful culture.