“ Alasuk had been a longtime champion of NANA . He had a tremendous vision of our shared success . His passing is a great loss for the corporation and its shareholders . On behalf of the board of directors , we send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Cheryl , and to his family and friends ,” said Utuktauraq Ely Cyrus , NANA board chair .

Alasuk had over 40 years of experience in management and leadership roles . He served as a director from 1985 to 1992 , 2005 to 2008 , 2009 to 2015 and from 2018 until his death in 2022 .

“ It was a privilege to know Alasuk personally and to work alongside him ,” said Aġnaaqłuk John Lincoln , NANA president and CEO . “ He was highly respected both as a person and as a leader , and he had a major impact on all of us at NANA . He will be greatly missed .”

In 1992 , Alasuk was named president of NANA and held that post until he retired in 2001 . Under his leadership , NANA profits increased by 500 percent . Revenue grew from $ 38 million in 1992 to $ 176 million in 2000 . Alasuk continued his tenure with NANA , working as chief strategic officer and in Indigenous engagement for NANA Pacific LLC .

Alasuk had been the finance director for the Northwest Arctic Borough , as well as a

city and tribal administrator . He was born in Kotzebue on February 11 , 1950 . He lived in Kotzebue and in multiple villages in the region .

During the Vietnam War , he served in the U . S . Navy from 1969 to 1973 .

Alasuk was admired for his hard work and his service to our people and our country . He was curious and quick-witted . He had a strong faith and a great love for his family . He once said , “ We succeeded in the past by working together , and we can only succeed in the future by honoring the values of the past — treating people , the lands and resources with dignity and respect .”

We honor the memory of Alasuk Charlie Curtis , a highly respected leader , a former NANA president and a longtime board member .

“ We look forward to working with Eva as she takes her place on the NANA

board ,” said Board Chair Utuktauraq Ely Cyrus . “ She is part of a new generation of shareholders who are stepping up to lead our company .”

Originally from Noorvik , Harvey currently resides in Fairbanks , Alaska . She is the CEO and owner of Tribal Business Consulting Inc ., which provides management and technical support services to federally recognized tribes , municipal governments and small businesses . She also owns Kii Rentals LLC . Her previous experience with NANA includes employment as an administrative assistant with Kisaq LLC , a quality control assistant with WHPacific , and she also worked for NMS . She was a planning director for the Northwest Arctic Borough and an environmental coordinator at Birch Creek Tribal Council . She served as chair and committee member for the Native Education Committee for the Fairbanks Native Association .

Harvey earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Alaska Fairbanks . In 2022 , she was selected as one of Alaska ’ s Top Forty Under 40 and as Top 40 Under 40 by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development .

Ikaaq Roland Booth Sr . served on the NANA board since its inception until his retirement in 2010 .

Ikaaq was born in Noatak to Frank and Frances Booth . He attended Mt . Edgecumbe High School and White Mountain Vocational School . He joined the U . S . Navy and is a veteran of the Vietnam War . In 1967 , he returned home to Noatak .

When the Northwest Alaska Native Association was a nonprofit formed to pursue claims to our traditional lands , Ikaaq represented Noatak . He served continuously on the NANA board for 38 years , from the corporation ’ s inception until his retirement in 2010 .

In 1982 , with Robert Aqqaluk Newlin Sr . and Willie Iġġiaġruk Hensley , Ikaaq

helped form the “ Spirit Committee ,” which spearheaded development , alongside village elders , of the Iñupiat Iļitqusiat with this statement , “ I am responsible to all other Iñupiat for the survival of our cultural spirit , our values , our traditions .” Ikaaq said , '' We have to find a way to help our people hold onto what our culture produced . Our Elders help us .”

On the NANA board , Ikaaq was elected first vice chair from 1993 to 1995 and from 2003 to 2008 . Over the years , he served on the following board committees : land and natural resources ( chair ); Kivalina / Noatak land ( chair ); budget , audit and finance ( member ); and the joint NANA / Teck Red Dog Mine management committee ( RDMC ).

In addition to his NANA board duties , Ikaaq has been a delegate to the Inuit Circumpolar Council . He is pastor of the Noatak Friends Church and is the former superintendent of the Alaska Friends Church .

Ikaaq holds a six-pack operator ’ s license and fishes commercially . He practices subsistence and has served on the Red Dog subsistence committee .

“ We are grateful to Ikaaq for the many years he has served NANA ,” said CEO John Aġnaaqłuk Lincoln . “ I hope he and Gretchen enjoy more time together at camp and with their family and friends .”

The board ’ s shareholder relations committee will provide guidance for the process of selecting a new Elder advisor . Following their work , information will go out to shareholders about the process .

2 The Hunter | 2022 September