NANA
MILITARY SERVICE Raymond Qaliaġraitchauraq Woods
SMALL BUSINESS AWARD Marcy Tuvinaġan Fairbanks
RICHARD A . BAENEN AWARD Susan Sikik Saiļatchuuraq Georgette
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 .
In 1974 , Raymond Qaliaġraitchauraq Woods enlisted in the U . S . Army . After completing basic training , he trained to be a wheeled vehicle mechanic and was assigned to the 702nd maintenance battalion , 2nd infantry division in Korea . He attended non-commissioned officer school , officer candidate school , infantry officer basic course training and senior officer school .
In 1978 , Raymond was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned to the 297th infantry regiment , known as the Eskimo Scouts . He served as company commander of the entire northwest region , from Kotzebue to Kaktovik . He also received military intelligence training and served as a tactical training officer . In 1996 , he retired as a major , receiving the high honor of the Alaska National Guard Distinguished Service Medal for “ sustained exceptional service beyond the normal call of duty .”
Additionally , Raymond has demonstrated his commitment to improving the lives of our people through his work with in-region schools . He teaches young people how to survive and safely travel on the land . He encourages people to learn our language and traditional subsistence practices .
NANA recognizes a small business owner or manager who has demonstrated success in business , a commitment to their community and has provided economic opportunities for our people .
Marcy Tuvinaġan Fairbanks has lived her entire life in Kotzebue . She owns and operates FBX Aviation Services with her husband , Mark , and their children . As the business grew , over nearly four decades , they have used their success as a tool to serve people . FBX has a strict policy about local hire , providing individuals with skills they can carry with them throughout their lives . They support organizations like the Kobuk 440 and the Arctic Circle Racing Association and particularly enjoy funding nonprofits that benefit children .
Marcy demonstrates Iñupiat Iļitqusiat values in many ways . To unwind from work , she can usually be found immersed in some form of subsistence gathering or food preservation . She spends evenings under her iñisak ( drying rack ) preparing niqipiaq with her family and friends .
Marcy is happy to share her knowledge . She says Minnie Morris from Noorvik always encouraged her to never give up . While her mother , Marge Baker , received this same award years ago , Marcy says her own grandchildren are her inspiration for the future .
The Richard A . Baenen award honors nonshareholders who show an untiring commitment to our people and work hard to make a difference in the region and for NANA shareholders .
Susan Sikik Saiļatchuuraq Georgette moved to Kotzebue in 1986 to work for the subsistence division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game . In 2005 , she began working for the U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service as an outreach specialist . After managing the 2-million-acre Selawik National Wildlife Refuge since 2014 , she retired in March .
Through her decades of field visits and her deep friendships with Elders , Susan gained insight into traditional Iñupiaq knowledge and subsistence practices . She ’ s written 20 scientific papers on subsistence . This information helped inform hunting management practices and amounts necessary for subsistence allowances . She shared her knowledge and has been an invaluable resource for information regarding caribou , climate change and other research that is important to our way of life . She has mentored young people , especially those new to the region , to help them understand the relationship we Iñupiat have with the land . She also helped agency personnel understand that relationship . She championed the value of Indigenous knowledge and has supported culture camps and the education of young people .
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Iñupiat Iļitqusiat continued from previous page .
At the same meeting , through resolution 2022-09 , the board voted to reaffirm the Iñupiat Iļitqusiat in NANA ’ s mission , vision and day-to-day work . Iñupiat Iļitqusiat is “ that which makes us who we are .” The resolution formally integrates the Iñupiat Iļitqusiat into the purpose of the shareholder relations committee , which is to provide continued guidance on making it the foundation of the work that NANA strives to accomplish .
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This action provides a place within NANA where Iñupiaq language and culture efforts will reside , so that NANA can assist in meeting the increasing demand by shareholders who live both in and out of the region to be connected . The intent is to create opportunities to support language and culture work so that , collectively , efforts can move forward . The Iñupiat Iļitqusiat will guide NANA ’ s involvement in this work . |
Sandra Salaktuna Kowalski , vice president of shareholder relations , will help NANA accomplish its goals in this area , and report to and receive guidance from the board and its shareholder relations committee .
“ When I was growing up in Kotzebue ,” Salaktuna said , “ the Iñupiat Iļitqusiat was taught intentionally and was part of conversations that Elders and leaders had with youth and the community . Elders pointed to our values and talked about our
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strengths . We still have those values with us today and can use them to guide our work in revitalizing language and culture .” |
The Hunter | 2022 April
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