2024 BSNC Elders of the Year

BSNC is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of the following Elder shareholders. Their efforts to maintain our traditional lifestyle and share their valuable knowledge with our youth are essential to preserving the culture and heritage of the Bering Straits Region.

COUNCIL NATIVE CORPORATION
Stanley "Buddy" Walker

Stanley "Buddy" Walker was born to Francis and Lily (Nash) Walker in White Mountain, Alaska in 1947. Buddy attended school in Nome and graduated from Nome High in 1964. While in high school, he was a star basketball player, and the Nanooks basketball team took the State championship. He served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1970 and fought in Vietnam. Upon returning to Nome, he married Delores Johansen. Buddy has five sons and helped raise three stepdaughters. Buddy worked at Greens Incorporated, Wein Air Alaska, Alaska Airlines and eventually retired from the Norton Sound Health Corporation Maintenance department. He lives a subsistence lifestyle and continues to pass his knowledge down to his family and friends. Hunting, fishing, berry picking and egg gathering are activities he loves and loves to pass down to his children and grandchildren.

ELIM NATIVE CORPORATION
Oscar Takak

Oscar Takak of Elim is always willing to share his knowledge of our culture, subsistence gathering, hunting and traditions. Family, friends and others also look to him for guidance with what is going on in their lives or spiritually.

Oscar is a member of the Elim Native Corporation, the Vice Mayor for the City of Elim and a Native Village of Elim Board Member. He was elected by the shareholders, community members and tribal members to obtain these positions. Oscar was also a Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation Board Member for many years, being elected by the community to represent them. Oscar was selected to be on the executive board when he held that seat. He also served on the Advisory Education Committee for Elim, another position that he was elected to hold. Oscar has held these positions in high regard, representing Elim always professionally and with passion.

Oscar is a dedicated family man who raised 11 children and helped care for his grandchildren. He has always emphasized the importance of preserving their culture and history, instilling strong work ethics and other values essential for being successful, contributing members of society. Oscar plays a significant role in Elim, Shaktoolik, and other communities within the region, serving with integrity and reliability.

GOLOVIN NATIVE CORPORATION
Deborah Anungazuk

Daborah "Debbie" Anungazuk is the daughter of Agnes Boone and Stanley Amarok. She was born in White Mountain, Alaska in June of 1955 and is the seventh of eight children. She is married to Toby "Magonna" Anungazuk, who was raised in Wales with a subsistence lifestyle. In October, they celebrated their 20th anniversary. Together, they strive to maintain a traditional lifestyle and feel blessed by the young hunters who generously share their catch with them. Toby and Debbie would spend summers at their fish camp, Kitchavik, hunting and gathering subsistence foods. Unfortunately, their fish camp was destroyed by Merbok in 2022, and they have yet to rebuild. Camping at Kitchavik was a cherished activity, especially for all of Debbie's siblings' grandchildren who joined them every summer. In 2018, Toby and Debbie completed the University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus' High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) program, which added 31 college credits to their transcripts. They are continuing to take college classes whenever they are offered and utilize free tuition, room and board and per diem. Debbie is employed by Bering Straits School District, at Martin L. Olson School in Golovin (1987-2002 and 2006-present). She enjoys teaching children in her school's Bicultural Program. Debbie teaches that, "Learning never ends; you learn something new every day. I advise students never to say, 'I am lazy' or 'I am bored.' That was taught to me by an Elder who has since passed on."Debbie is grateful to Golovin Native Corporation for selecting her as the Elder of the year and proudly represents the Community of Golovin and the Martin L. Olson School for allowing her to attend.

KING ISLAND NATIVE CORPORATION
Johanna Kane

Johanna (Kokuluk) Kane (Agnoyuk) was born in July of 1949 to John and Barbara Kokuluk of Ugiuvak (King Island) and Qawiaraq (Mary's Igloo) in Nome. She attended Copper Valley High School and graduated from Nome High School. She studied for a time at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Georgetown University, then pursued optical and ophthalmologist assistant training instead to help support her family after her father's passing. As a fluent Inupiaq speaker, her career made it possible for her to travel to every village in the Bering Strait region, examining eyes and helping people with their glasses and vision-related health in both Inupiaq and English. She moved to Anchorage in 1977, and with her husband of now nearly 50 years, Gene Kane, they raised their daughter.

Johanna was one of the first employees of Southcentral Foundation in the 1980s and over the course of her decades of service she traveled to many villages across Alaska while staffing the Indian Health Service optical shop and Alaska Native Medical Center.

When learning that she was being honored by the King Island Native Corporation as Elder of the year, she expressed surprise and gratitude and asked that Ugiuvaŋmiut and others from the Bering Strait region consider how our cultures have always emphasized the value of traveling and learning about others to live with perspective. Johanna worked hard every day for many decades, including through the years she was treated for breast cancer. Her commitment to her career helping other Native people supported her daughter, Joan Naviyuk Kane, to earn her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard College and Columbia University, where Johanna's bountiful care packages of baked goods and beadwork attained legend. Johanna also served on the board of King Island Native Corporation and loves to see when fellow Ugiuvaŋmiut and Nomeites succeed.

Along with Johanna's love of travel and her memories of people and experiences over the past 75 years, her most cherished source of pride is her and Gene's grandchildren, Joan's children John and Kizik. A survivor of cancer and multiple strokes, she offers words of encouragement along with her gratitude: "have hope and always do your best."

KOYUK NATIVE CORPORATION
Danny Adams

The Koyuk Native Corporation proudly announces Iqsuk Danny George Adams as Koyuk's Elder of the Year. Danny, also well known as 'Chamble' was born on Janurary 14, 1942 in Koyuk, Alaska. He was raised by his grandmother in Koyuk where he learned to live and survive a subsistence lifestyle. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, trapper and gatherer in his able days and knew how to process everything he caught including, skinning, drying and smoking. He learned and was skilled in building boats and sleds. He grew up in an era where he would travel with his dog team.He joined the United States Army at the age of 22 where he learned administrative skills which he used to help create the Native Village of Koyuk. He said they started with pretty much a notepad and pen and worked out of someone's home as there was no IRA building at the time. The photo included is taken at the current Native Village of Koyuk's IRA community building. He is most noted for his guitar playing at the Koyuk Covenant Church. He said he asked his grandma for a guitar at an early age and promised her to play as long as he could and that is exactly what he did. Although he cannont play like he did before he still commits going to the church services with his long time parter Mary Apok. We are grateful for Chamble's knowledge and guidance he has provided for our community over the years.

MARY'S IGLOO NATIVE CORPORATION
Sarah Kakaruk

Sarah Kakaruk, born in May 1950 in Igloo, Alaska, holds a unique place in the heart of her community. As one of the last two people born in Igloo, alongside her cousin Thomas Ablowaluk, Sarah carries a rich legacy of cultural and familial ties. Adopted by David and Annie Kakaruk, she grew up in a close knit family where everyone was considered an auntie, uncle, or cousin.

Sarah vividly recalls her childhood journeys-spending two weeks traveling by boat from Teller to Igloo. Her family followed seasonal cycles, relying on traditional foods sourced from the land: fish, ducks, greens, and berries formed the core of their diet. While breakfast foods were occasionally purchased, every lunch and dinner was a product of their daily catch. Today, advancements in technology have reduced the journey to Igloo to just two hours by boat, yet the landscape is changing. Climate change has led to the erosion of land, rivers, creeks, and lakes that were once familiar to her.

A fluent speaker of the Kaweramuit language, Sarah is one of the few remaining elders who can communicate in the Kaweramuit dialect. She holds the invaluable knowledge of the location of the third old village and traditional warehouse, a crucial part of Igloo history.

Throughout her life, Sarah has spent many years in Teller and Igloo, often camping in the Imugruk Basin and across Teller the other end of Grantley Harbor. Her talents as a skin sewer allowed her to craft beautiful dolls and zipper pulls, which she sold to tourists visiting Teller alongside Richard Benevelle's many tourists. Known for her hospitality, Sarah has hosted visitors in her home, sharing not only traditional foods but also stories and insights into rural Alaskan Native life.

Having served as a postmaster for many years, now retired, Sarah has become a beloved figure in her community. Her guidance and wisdom, rooted in traditional knowledge, language, and skills, are invaluable treasures for the people of Igloo and beyond. As we honor Sarah Kakaruk as Elder of the Year, we express our deep gratitude for her contributions and the rich cultural heritage she continues to share.

SHAKTOOLIK NATIVE CORPORATION
Harvey Sookiayak Sr.

Harvey Sookiayak, Sr. has been a lifelong subsistence hunter and fisherman. He graduated from Mount Edgecumbe High School in May 1968. Right after high school, he served two years in the United States Navy and fought in Vietnam. On July 30, 1972, he married and went on to have four children, 16 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Harvey worked in maintenance for the first new airport site, contributing to the construction of the runway and all existing roads. He then spent 27 years as an airline agent with Jim Tweto. He retired in 2015, and served as Mayor and President of the Shaktoolik Native Corporation and sat on multiple boards. His trade was as a heavy equipment operator, and he continues to serve Shaktoolik as an active board member of the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.

SHISHMAREF NATIVE CORPORATION
Clarence Tocktoo

Clarence Gabriel "Tugutaq" Tocktoo, otherwise known as Tootsie, was born to Andre and Lucy Nunasaaluk Tocktoo on March 15, 1934, in Shishmaref, Alaska. He was married to the late Sarah Kokeok Tocktoo in October of 1961, and together they had seven children. Their first born sadly passed at the age of eight months due to pneumonia.

Growing up, Clarence did not hunt often due to an injured leg and foot from tuberculosis that occurred at a young age. Remaining back while others hunted, he developed empathy for work the women did, gathering and preparing the food and hides for use during the coming year. Inspired to contribute to his family even with his injuries, he learned to hunt from his wife and father-in-law. As the family grew, he taught his sons, grandsons and whomever was around hunting and survival skills.

He built his house on his own, expanding it as his family grew. Additionally, he constructed his own boats as well as his brother-in-law's, taking on the building and maintenance of the family's boats with minimal assistance. In the 1970s, he traveled to work on the Alaska Pipeline and later took on various jobs as a laborer, construction worker, and carpenter throughout his career until retirement. Today, he continues to support and help others year-round, whether it's with machinery, survival skills, or any task that allows him to be outdoors.

He loved being outdoors camping and subsisting throughout the year when he was able to. While his mind and heart still travel and subsist, his body remains home due to his age and the harsh travels to the gathering areas. At home, he works around his house with what needs tending. In his spare time, he loves telling stories to those visiting or those around him to listen.

SITNASUAK NATIVE CORPORATION
Georgianna Merill

Georgianna Merrill was born on July 7, 1950, in Shishmaref, Alaska, to Fred and Lola Avessuk. She grew up in a large family of eight siblings and was also raised by her Aunt Edith Okpoqruk. Her grandparents were Thomas and Mattie Okpowruk, and her extended family includes Alfred and Dolly Kiyeutelluk and John and Mary Avessuk.

As a child, Georgianna attended Shishmaref Elementary School. In the early 1980s she began volunteering with Kawerak's Eskimo Heritage Program. She continues to dedicate her time to the Alaska Public Interest Research Group as a Language Panelist, representing her region and working to preserve and revitalize the Inupiaq language, a cause she is deeply passionate about. Her exceptional skills in transcribing and translating Inupiaq are commendable contributions to preserving this vital language.

Georgianna was married to the late Henry Ahgupuk, and together they had five children: Thomas, Alfred Charles, Wilsa Mattie, Irene and Thomas Ahgupuk.

Her favorite subsistence activities are berry picking and caribou hunting. In her free time, she practices skin-sewing and creates beautiful fur hats, mukluks and beadwork. Georgianna considers her children to be her greatest achievement. She speaks with great pride about her ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one more on the way. She attributes her inspiration to the faith her mother had in God, which guided her path.

Georgianna's advice to young shareholders and future leaders is to persevere, never give up and embrace their traditions.

SITNASUAK NATIVE CORPORATION
Richard Atuk

Richard Atuk was born in Wales, Alaska, to Walter Atuk and Virginia Tungwenuk Atuk in 1944. All his grandparents were born on or near the Seward Peninsula. His family left Wales in 1948, overwintered at Sinrock, Alaska and arrived in Nome in 1940. Richard spoke Kingikmiutun Inupiaq until the age of seven when he began grade school.

He received training and upbringing to be an Inupiaq hunter, learning the values of traditional Inupiaq ways. As a teenager and young adult, he served five seasons as a crew member of one of the last eight-man Inupiaq Spring hunting umiaq (skin boat). After high school, Richard earned a bachelor's degree in geological engineering from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1968 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska in 1985. He served two years in the United States Army Combat Engineers, leaving Vietnam as a First Lieutenant.

Following a brief time as a petroleum geologist, Richard chose to remain in Alaska. He worked for Bering Straits Native Corporation on land selection and later joined Sitnasuak Native Corporation in a general management role.

Richard has been actively involved in reclaiming and performing Wales traditional songs and dances since 1991. He served as president of the Kingikmiut Singers and Dancers of Anchorage. Recently, Richard has led efforts to document and preserve the Kingikmiutun Inupiat dialect, closely related to Diomede, Shishmaref, Teller, Brevig Mission and King Island dialects. In 2023, Richard and his wife Jane wrote and published a children's book titled "Nunayaagvingmi Itut Uvlumini" (A Day at Camp) in the Wales dialect. He is working on a Northwest Seward Peninsula Inupiaq Language database and book to document the regional dialect and serve as a resource for teachers and language learners. Richard believes that language is key to understanding and preserving important values and traditional ways of being, critical to the survival of culture.

SIVUQAQ, INC
Clement Ungottinganwon

Clement Ungottinganwon served in the United States Army for a total of 12 years, he volunteered for a few years prior for the National Guard because he wasn't of age. He was a Board Member for the Native Village of Gambell and was Local Secretary for Alaska Village Electric Co-op for a few years, a mentor for Bering Strait School District for 12 years and Ivory Co-op Manager for the City of Gambell for 15 years. Gambell Schools have held an annual event for 45 years, named Yupik Days. He attends every year to tell stories that will benefit the young children who are still learning.

Clement was a successful whaling captain and provider for many years, bringing home food for many families. He passed down his knowledge of subsistence to his sons, grandsons and to many others. Clement has had great success providing for families from his knowledge. People of Gambell always have many questions of how our ways were done and should be done and ask for the correct wording in Akuzipik; he's always more than willing to answer. He's been Sivuqaq, Inc.'s Elder Advisor for 18 years. He continues to be a well trusted advisor and to share his wisdom and knowledge with the current leaders and youth of Gambell.

SOLOMON NATIVE CORPORATION
Clara Tootkaylok

Clara Tootkaylok, originally from Solomon, Alaska, is the fourth of eight children born to Betty and Russell Tootkaylok. After her mother passed away when she was just 10 years old, she moved to Teller and attended school there until the 8th grade. She then had to move to Nome to continue her high school education.

Clara loves to travel and enjoys visiting friends in Nome, Oregon, and Teller while residing in Anchorage. She is known for her kindness and consideration, especially when reconnecting with extended relatives and friends from Solomon during annual gatherings. Clara takes pride in representing the Village of Solomon at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) event, which she has attended for the past ten years, including many years before the COVID pandemic. She also frequently participates in the Elders and Youth Conference. Clara has a great sense of adventure, traveling to events like the Iron Dog Snow Machine Race, where she made it all the way to Galena.

For the past five years, Clara has served as a director on the Solomon Native Corporation Board, including a year alongside her youngest sibling, Richard Schulling, before his untimely passing in 2020.

Clara has twin daughters, Rosemary Wacker and Rosaleen Osterback, and six grandchildren. She is eagerly anticipating becoming a great-grandmother in February of next year.

STEBBINS NATIVE CORPORATION
Virginia Tom

Virginia Tom was born and raised in Stebbins, Alaska, on April 28, 1947, to Oswald and Kitty Washington. She was married to her late husband for thirteen years and raised two daughters. After graduating from Mount Edgecumbe High School, Virginia attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Community College. She later completed training in Nome to become a health aide at the Stebbins Clinic, where she served her community for fifteen years. Following her time at the clinic, Virginia worked for Head Start for a year and currently volunteers at Tukurnailnguq School during the summer.

Virginia enjoys solving puzzles, finding satisfaction in piecing everything together and keeping her mind active. In the summer, she loves gathering berries, greens, and fish for her family. Above all, she treasures mingling with the people in her community, especially the children she teaches and their families. Virginia holds a deep love for each person in her community.

TELLER NATIVE CORPORATION
Eva Menadelook

Eva Menadelook, originally from Little Diomede, Alaska, now resides in Nome. She was born on January 26, 1957, to Tommy Menadelook, Sr., and Mary Menadelook.

Eva was nominated by Marie Lawlor, also from Little Diomede and currently living in Nome, who says, "We shared together traditional ways of living."

Eva actively mentors her adult children in traditional activities, values, and education, providing them with the knowledge they need to navigate life. Over the years, she has imparted a wealth of information to those around her.

In addition to sharing cultural knowledge and her way of life through stories, Eva also offers her expertise in traditional healing methods.

UNALAKLEET NATIVE CORPORATION
Leonard Brown

Leonard Brown was born in Unalakleet, Alaska, in 1933 to Emily Ivanoff Brown and Robert Brown. As his mother, Emily, was a well-known schoolteacher, the family lived in several Alaskan villages, allowing Leonard to attend various schools. He graduated from Mount Edgecumbe High School in 1953.

In 1955, Leonard married Mary Richardson, and together they raised five children: Leona, Emilietta, Melvin, Gary, and Leonard, Jr. The family lived in Anchorage before moving back to Unalakleet in 1964.

Seeing a need in their community, they established a small business called "Burgers to Go" and later built Brown's Lodge. The lodge became a longstanding establishment, offering lodging, meals, and a social gathering place. It was also a hallmark stop for the Iditarod Trail race for many years.

Leonard and Mary further contributed to Unalakleet by developing a subdivision in the nearby hills, providing a base for residents to live on higher ground. Their entire family worked to make their business successful and support the community of Unalakleet.

WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIVE CORPORATION
Velma Brown

BSNC Thanks these esteemed Elders for their tireless efforts to promote, advance and perpetuate the traditions, culture and heritage of the Bering Strait Region.

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