Emma Hildebrand of Koyukon Athabascan ancestry.
Born and raised in Northway, an Upper Tanana Athabascan village in eastern Alaska.
After high school, attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, attaining a BBA Degree in Business Administration in 1986.
Then moved back to Northway to assume the position of CEO of Northway's ANCSA Corporation.
Held this position, as well as President of the corporation's board of directors, for 17 years while raising 4 children and committing numerous volunteer hours in the community.
Transitioned to partial self-employment in 2005 and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, but retained involvement with both the non-profit and for profit corporations in Northway.
Continues to teach Alaska Indigenous crafts through the University of Alaska and other venues, which she has been doing for over 25 years, in addition to creating bead, quill, hide, and antler jewelry and larger items for sale.
Takes a lot of pride in her Native art and her commitment to preservation and passing of culture, including the ANA/ARP-funded Language Revitalization and Preservation project which she wrote the grant proposal for and administers.