“Uaŋa Kunaq Sitnasuaġmiuruŋa, Iñupiaġuruŋa-lu Kiowa-ġuruŋa. Asii aŋayuqaaġlu Qaiyaunaġlu Kayutukġlu. Akaaġa Piziqtuaq. Asii Kiŋigmiut ilutkaa. Ilisaqtuŋa University of Alaska Fairbanks-mi. Aglaktituŋa Inuit Kakiñiit. I grew up in Nome Alaska where my family spent our summers at fish camp. It was there I learned how to harvest and gather traditional foods from the land and sea. These skills are what guide me on my journey to becoming an artist and teacher.

“My goal has been to re-establish our cultural identity within our communities in Alaska. There is a resurgence of using the naniq and there are few people who know how to carve them in Alaska.
By being a traditional Inuit tattooist, Iñupiaq language learner, seamstress, carver and teacher I can help achieve that goal while educating people about our beautiful traditions. I am currently in the Indigenous Studies program writing my Master’s thesis at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.”