Yaari was born to Herman and Esther Toolie of Savoonga, Alaska. Her paternal grandparents are Jimmie and Mabel Toolie and maternal grandparents are Donald and Laura Pungowiyi. Her clan is Aymaaramka and sub-clan is Sanighmelnguq. Yaari’s husband is Marq Walker of High Point, North Carolina. Between Yaari and Marq, they have nine children. Yaari moved to Anchorage in 1997. She worked for the Alaska Native Heritage Center for 16 years. She taught about Alaskan Native cultures and facilitated cultural awareness workshops. Yaari taught Alaskan Native youth about traditional healing, how to gather medicinal plants, and how to make medicinal salves. She taught skin sewing, how to butcher seals, pluck duck, and cut fish. She has worked numerous other jobs and has volunteered throughout the community. Yaari has received numerous awards for the work she has done and has been recognized as a Traditional Bearer from her region.