"Yup'ik"

In Alaska, the conversation around land acknowledgments is relatively new. But it’s picking up momentum. And in Anchorage, that means putting the region’s Indigenous heritage front and center.

As a child, Alice Fitka was punished for speaking her Yup’ik language in school. Since then, she’s spent decades teaching it in the Western Alaska village of Tuntutuliak.

The statewide Yup’ik Spelling Bee for Beginners saw the toughest spell-off in the eight-year history of the event.

“I think the most important line, probably, in my contract right now as an assistant principal is, ‘Other duties as assigned.’ Because you’re never sure what you’re going to be doing each day,” says Meghan Redmond.

The Army Corps of Engineers is holding public hearings on the proposed Pebble Mine. Three were held in communities on Iliamna Lake. That region — and the people who live there — would be among the most immediately impacted by the project.

Bethel musher Pete Kaiser’s team of eight dogs crossed under the Burled Arch in Nome at 3:39 a.m. Wednesday. Kaiser is the first Iditarod champion with Yupik roots.

The costs from dealing with climate change are starting to become more visible in Bethel, a hub town for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. There are also costs to the region’s lifestyle.

The Kvichak River, which already provides Igiugig with drinking water and sockeye salmon, could also serve as its primary source of electricity.

Led by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary, Khu.éex’ brings its indigenous sound to Juneau and Anchorage on a tour of Alaska.

“I had hoped to see that happen during my lifeterm,” said Eugene Brower, former president of the Barrow Whaling Captains Association of the rule change. “I’m happy that we don’t have to beg anymore.”