NANA
NANA Shareholder Awards
ELDER OF THE YEAR
TRINA TINULAAQ WALTON
YOUTH OF THE YEAR
ALEX NUVIYA ONALIK
Alex Nuviya Onalik
The Youth of the Year award is given to a young person who personifies leadership , demonstrates our values , excels in the classroom and contributes to the benefit of all NANA youth .
The 2024 Youth of The Year is Alex Ethan Palanan Nuviya Onalik of Noatak , Alaska .
Alex is the oldest of three boys born to Vincent Sr . and Elsie Onalik .
Trina Walton pictured with her relative .
The Elder of the Year is a respected individual who models and practices the Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat , stays active in teaching our language and culture and demonstrates leadership among our people .
The 2024 Elder of the Year is Trina Ann Walton .
Trina was born and raised in Noorvik , attended high school in Nome and then moved to Fairbanks to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks . She moved to Anchorage in the early 70s where she met her husband Edward Walton Sr . She still lives in Anchorage today . Trina worked for NANA from the 1980s through the 90s .
That ’ s when she started work for the Alaska Native Medical Center in the emergency department — checking in patients to receive treatment .
His paternal grandparents are the late Herbert and Victoria Onalik – and his maternal grandparents are the late Milton and Bessie Adams and James Adams and the late Myrtle Adams .
Alex ’ s commitment to the Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat values could be seen as he volunteered countless hours helping his teammates with homework while he was in high school – so those students could participate in sports activities .
One of his teachers described Alex as a “ respectful student who is always polite to fellow students and teachers . Alex showed great leadership in the classroom and the community .”
Away from school , he actively participated in the Noatak Friends Church . Because of his strong belief , he encouraged other students to attend .
Alex is currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage — focusing on an avionics mechanic degree . His future goal is to obtain his pilot ’ s license .
She also worked for Maniilaq as a patient support specialist , working up to 60 hours a week .
She helped many families with end-of-life support and helped them get funding for burial assistance .
According to her daughter , Trina has always held deep beliefs in keeping our traditional Iñupiat values alive and embodies them every day . She encourages the younger generations to go back to church and get their heart right with God .
14 The Hunter | 2024 May