What drew you to the Caleb Scholars Program? Do you have a personal story about meeting Caleb, connection to his story, or family connection?
I was drawn to the Caleb Scholars Program to be a part of a support system that can steer my educational goals.
What does marine conservation mean to you? How do you engage with marine conservation at school and/or at home?
The westernized concept of marine conservation is already naturally woven into who we are. Our people have been protecting, preserving, and sustaining our waters and animals for hundreds and thousands of years, well before scientist have advocated for marine conservation on our lands. I engage with marine conservation by harvesting and enjoying our traditional foods while taking advantage of opportunities to teach youth and others about our ways of life.
What are your future educational and career goals? What are the top three things that are moving you toward those goals?
I plan on obtaining my teaching certificate and work towards my Masters in Secondary Education to become a High School teacher. As a High School educator, I would will teach our Alaska Native youth the history of our peoples and indigenize the education system, to promote that our culture holds importance in western education and modern lifestyle.
My top motivators are my family, youth in our communities, and our elders who were unable to practice or learn our culture while in school.
Can you share a memorable story from your past when you felt a relationship to the ocean or waterways?
Every time I travel by boat on the Kobuk River, I feel like I am at home. There is no better feeling.
