Community and Culture

About 300 people packed into the bleachers at June Nelson Elementary School on a Friday afternoon — a mix of students and teachers with a few graduates who are now in their thirties. Resting on a table in front of Assistant Principal Corey Shepherd, there was a three-foot-tall metal cylinder.

Ilakucaraq is in its third year. The program has several components, but its primary goal is for Alaska Native students to learn about other cultures and communities in the state.

“We're up in the Arctic Circle, it's dark, it's cold, and people get bored and lonely, so mental health is a very important thing to talk about,” Santos said. “Kids can know from such a very young age that they are queer people, and those kids deserve to feel accepted.”

The award honors women who are “using their voices for change” and comes with feature stories about each woman. This year, author Lily Tuzroyluke was Alaska’s awardee.

As part of the WEIO pageant, Madison showcased her traditional Iñupiaq dancing, while drummers played along.

This year’s celebration brought back some of the exciting in-person events that had been canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.On July 4, 2020, about three months after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the world, the only major event in Kotzebue commemorating the holiday was a parade.

This weekend kicks off the Qaġruq Whaling Festival in Point Hope. Every year, people come from around the region for a three-day feast to celebrate the annual subsistence haul of the whaling season.

Principal Faith Jurs says all grade levels will see a boost in Iñupiaq content under the new curriculum.

Lambert says she was happy that the Biden campaign made an effort to show the diversity of America by including its Indigenous people.

Kotzebue’s annual Lovie Harris Beauty Contest allows parents to announce their newborns and toddlers to the community while showcasing craft, culture and creativity.