The Hunter 2018 Holiday Hunter FINAL 121318_0159 | Page 4

NANA
Katie John Hunter-Fisher Award
Replogle Swan Sr. Receives at AFN
AMBLER, ALASKA
T
he Katie John Hunter-Fisher award
recognizes an Alaska Native who
exemplifies and preserves the spirit
of successful subsistence hunting, trapping
and sharing, and our way of life. Nominees
must acknowledge and ensure that the next
generations of providers will carry on the
traditions and customs in harmony and
peace to sustain their extended families.
At the 2018 Alaska Federation of Natives
Convention in October, Replogle
(Reppi) Swan Sr. received the Katie
John Hunter-Fisher Award. He was
nominated by one of his sisters. Family
is important to Reppi. He is the youngest
of 11 children born to his mother, Lona
Swan. His parents, Lona and Joseph
Swan Sr. adopted six more children.
Reppi and his wife Dolly have seven
children, the youngest by adoption. They
spend a lot of time hunting together.
When he received the award, Dolly stood
beside him. He said, “I depend on my
family. (Hunting is) tough work that
needs more than one pair of hands.”
Reppi and Dolly both come from
whaling families. Their fathers passed
the responsibility of the family whaling
crews to them. They provide for their
elderly parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Swan
Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Willard Adams
Sr., and many other family members
including brothers, sisters, and cousins.
Reppi has taught his children and
nephews how to safely hunt and
fish on the land and sea, so they too
can provide for their families. 
AMBLER, ALASKA
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HUNTER | 2018 DECEMBER
KIANA, ALASKA
KIANA, ALASKA