The Hunter, Volume 2022, April | Page 3

NANA

NANAversary : NANA Celebrates 50 Years

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Est . 1972

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of NANA , although the story of NANA began much more than 50 years ago . Our people have flourished throughout the generations with perseverance and determination .

Iñupiat Iļitqusiat is that which makes us who we are . Our traditional values are the foundation of NANA . We learn from our Elders and carry on our Iñupiaq language , skills and a close sense of community .
In 1972 , we became shareholders of NANA Regional Corporation through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( ANCSA ). NANA has grown significantly in the past 50 years from the original 4,700 shareholders to more than 15,000 .
Our shareholders may have branched out to other communities over time , but the connection to our history , culture and region continues .
An annual meeting from the mid-1970s . The 2008 NANA Annual Meeting in Kiana .

2021 Military Service Award

The Military Service award is given to shareholders who demonstrate a strong commitment and willingness to serve in the U . S . armed forces – in active-duty military , reserve forces , National Guard or as veterans who have been honorably discharged .
Iyaġak Walter Sampson
Commendation Medal , a Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge . After being honorably discharged , Walter served in the Alaska National Guard .
Walter married Maggie Mulluk , and they raised four children . Walter has devoted his life to serving his country , state and the NANA region .
Iyaġak Walter Sampson was born in Noorvik to the late Stephen and Mildred Sampson . He was raised by his aana , Effie K . Sampson , and lived a subsistence lifestyle .
After graduating from Chemawa Indian School , Walter enlisted in the U . S . Army . In 1969 , he was sent to Vietnam . He was awarded two Bronze Stars , an Army

Board Approves New NANA Offices in the Region

Creating safe , reliable workspaces

The NANA board of directors authorized the construction of 10 new NANA office buildings , one in each of our villages outside of Kotzebue . These prefabricated , modular buildings will each measure 1,536 square feet and will be built and installed over the next four years .

Investing in our region , employees and shareholders is a board priority . The village office buildings each will feature two dedicated offices for NANA employees .
Creating safe and reliable workplaces will strengthen NANA ’ s ability to provide valuable resources to shareholders . The buildings will also provide an open area for small community meetings and gatherings .
NANA Construction ( NC ), a NANA subsidiary , is the project ’ s prime contractor . NC will construct the modular office buildings at their Big Lake fabrication facility . They will manage all aspects of on-site and subcontract work in each village . Jesstin
Patterson , a NANA shareholder , has been named project manager for NC .
NC is working closely with NANA ’ s Kotzebue-based team on the project . NANA ’ s village economic investment department is leading the effort , with support from the facilities , lands and shareholder relations departments .
Fabrication of the first village office building started in March . NC plans to ship and install the unit this summer
in Deering . The remaining units will be built , shipped and installed over the next few construction seasons until all buildings have been completed and placed . The team will finalize site locations and gravel resources for this project .
NC will work closely with NANA shareholder relations on maximizing local , shareholder hire in each village .
Deployment Schedule
2022
2023
2024
2025
• Place Deering building
• Four site developments - Ambler - Kivalina - Selawik - Shungnak
• Place four buildings on 2022 developed sites
• Four additional site developments - Kobuk - Kiana - Notak - Noorvik
• Place four buildings on 2023 developed sites
• Additional site development - Buckland
• Place Buckland Building
The Hunter | 2022 April
3