Natasha Aġnaŋuluuraq Gamache, homeless advocate

East Anchorage Book Club with Andrew Gray

Homelessness has been front and center in Anchorage politics for years, but particularly during the covid pandemic with the conversion of the Sullivan Arena into an emergency mass shelter. The debate has been dominated by those of us who have never been homeless; in fact, few of us have ever had a meaningful interaction with a homeless person. Today we talk with a woman who has experienced homelessness at various stages of her life in multiple cities in Alaska including Anchorage. Natasha Aġnaŋuluuraq Gamache will explain how she first ended up on the streets as a child, what has kept her there, and what she most wants listeners to know about the homeless. Warning: this episode contains graphic content including descriptions of substance abuse, rape, suicide, and the physical and sexual abuse of children.