Kailea Loften
Director of Language, Culture & Heritage

Kailea Loften is a mother of Tahltan, Kaska, and Black American lineage. Her mother is Celena Wittman, and her father, Belvery Johnny, is the son of Iris Johnny and Rob Edzerza. Her great-grandmothers are Florence Johnny and Elizabeth Edzerza. Previously, Kailea served in local government as a climate commissioner for the City of Petaluma, California. She brings a decade of professional experience from the non-profit sector with an emphasis on advocating for Indigenous and human rights while building towards a just transition.

Kailea begins working with TCG on Monday, August 11. You can reach her at lchdirector@tahltan.org.

Thank you to Mariko Waite for stewarding the department as Acting Director of Culture & Heritage and Kathy Cottrell for managing the Language Department over the past year plus. The two departments will now work together again as one.

You can contact Mariko at culturecoordinator@tahltan.org.

Kathy remains at kathy.cottrell@tahltan.org.