ilLUMENate BLOG

Name: Yosty Storms (Aliġaq) Hometown and/or current city: Unalakleet - hometown. Anchorage - current city Current job or title: ANSEP Senior Director - K-8 Degree title: B.S. Natural Sciences How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? My job, being at home, doing subsistence. What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel proud? Whenever there is an opportunity to share resources or knowledge with others, we give without hesitation because we know that we prosper when contributing to the well-being of our communities. What is an issue that is important to you that you think people should get more involved with? There's a wide range of issues that Alaska Native communities face that I think people Read More

Name: Tonia Qanannaq Osborne Hometown and/or current city: Nome, Alaska Current job or title: Artist Degree title: BS Marine Biology How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? Working in education has given me the opportunity to share with children the opportunities they have in the STEM field. I share all the cool jobs I've worked where I've traveled to encourage them to continue their education. I work with ivory and baleen and always educate people on the importance of our relationship to marine mammals and our subsistence rights. I would love to eventually teach ivory carving to older kids and young adults when I have an official carving space. What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel Read More

Name: Nicole Panigiuq Kannik Wojciechowski Hometown and/or current city: Utqiagvik Current job or title: Deputy Director of Wildlife Management Degree title: Master's of Marine Affairs How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? In daily job, in participation in subsistence and cultural activities at home What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel proud? Gathering and sense of community and support. What is an issue that is important to you that you think people should get more involved with? Building up our youth and volunteerism What advice do you have for current and prospective Caleb Scholars? Find your passion in contributing to your communities and go with it. Read More

Name: Michelle Ngusighmii Slwooko Hometown and/or current city: Anchorage, Alaska Current job or title: Environmental Analyst Degree title to be shared: Bachelor of Science How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? I have not in a hot minute. But I do admire the videos and photos on social media of people who do and share. What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel proud? Our history. The fact that we all survived and thrived in harsh climates. Simply amazes me. What is an issue that is important to you that you think people should get more involved with? Littering and recycling. We have one Earth and it's future is not looking so great. What advice do you have for current and prospective Read More

Name: Kunaq Hometown and/or current city: Nome Current job or title: Self-employed , artist Degree title: Bachelors in Alaska Native Studies How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? By living a subsistence lifestyle and teaching and sharing as much as possible. What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel proud? Our love and support for each other. What is an issue that is important to you that you think people should get more involved with? People need to go on the land more and subsist. What advice do you have for current and prospective Caleb Scholars? Any action is good action for the life and well-being of our community and environment. Read More

Name: Iñuraaq Kaylene Evans Hometown and/or current city: Sitñasuak, Alasks / Nu'uanu, Hawai'i Current job or title: Artist Degree title: MA Indigenous Politics How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? I use poetry, photography, and videography as a form of storytelling and advocacy of our culture and environment. I ground myself in subsistence living, so I love to harvest, prepare and share our healthy and nourishing foods. I continue to bead, sew, and learn jewelry making. Although living in Hawai'i, I practice my values and connect to local and Native communities. I speak 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi and am learning weaving, as a way to continue to connect to the land and Native peoples. What is something about our people, culture, and communities Read More

Name: Kivaaluk Hometown and/or current city: Nome Current job or title: EESS Office Manager Degree title: Alaska Native Studies Read More

Name: Joanne Hanson Hometown and/or current city: Unalakleet, AK Current job or title: Fisheries Biologist Degree title: Natural Science How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? Right now, I currently have not had any time to engage in conservation and/or cultural activities since I am transitioning into a full time job and have a 5 month old. What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel proud? Our resiliency that has been handed down from generation to generation is always something I will be proud of. We adapt to different situations and are always teaching, learning and listening. What is an issue that is important to you that you think people should get more involved with? Conservation is a Read More

Name: Isaac bailey. Atoyuk Hometown and/or current city: Fairbanks Current job or title: Clinical pharmacist Degree title to be shared: MS, PharmD How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? Still hunt and fish with a passion! What is something about our people, culture, and communities that make you feel proud? Resilience and determination to continue traditional activities in this day and age. What is an issue that is important to you that you think people should get more involved with? Get on the science bandwagon and help figure out carbon capture to turn back to fuels. What advice do you have for current and prospective Caleb Scholars? Continue working hard and things will fall into place Read More

Name: Denali Quyanna Qapvik Whiting Hometown and/or current city: Qikiqtaġruk, Sisualik, Katyuuraq Current job or title: Caleb Scholars Program Director Degree title: Alaska Native Studies, American Sign Language How do you currently engage with conservation and/or cultural activities? As the director for the Caleb Scholars Program, I am regularly working with our scholars, board, partners, and others to seek opportunities for advancing Inuit-led conservation advocacy. I spend time at home often to subsist with family in an effort to keep our freezers and iñua full. As a new mom, I have also been doing more skin sewing and continue seeking projects and experiences to further connect with my ancestors, community, and culture. What is an issue that is important to you that Read More