BSNC and Get Out The Native Vote (GOTNV) encourages Alaska Native people to get out and vote. Voters help determine who is represented in local government, which determines which bills, ordinances and legislation is passed. Voting for who you believe will serve your community and your state best will help ensure a better life for...
The Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) Board of Directors announced its endorsement of Tara Katuk Sweeney’s candidacy in the special election for Alaska’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Originally from Utqiaġvik, Sweeney understands firsthand Alaska’s unique challenges and opportunities. Sweeney has served Alaska internationally as chair of the multi-national Arctic Economic Council....
Update: A Memorial Service for Chairman Ivanoff will take place in Anchorage at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 at the First Evangelical Covenant Church (1145 C. Street). A Celebration of Life will take place in Unalakleet on April 9 at 2 p.m.
BSNC Mourns the Passing of Chairman Henry Ivanoff
March 31, 2022by Media
It is with great sadness that Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) announces the passing of Board Chairman Henry Ivanoff Sr. Chairman Ivanoff passed away after a brief illness on March 30, 2022, with family by his side. Chairman Ivanoff served on the BSNC Board of Directors since 1978, as BSNC’s President from 1985 to 1989...
BSNC shareholder Esther Koezuna serves as the corporation’s Anchorage office receptionist. In addition to serving as the first individual people interact with at BSNC, Koezuna is a traditional culture-bearer. She grew up in the King Island community of Nome and today, regularly shares her traditional knowledge with summer interns and recently, in BSNC’s new cultural...
In Memoriam: U.S. Congressman Don Young
March 19, 2022by Media
BSNC deeply mourns the passing of U.S. Congressman Don Young. Congressman Young was the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives and of Congress in history, having represented Alaska for 25 terms. “Don Young was my Congressman for life and his legacy advocating for Alaska will always be remembered,” said BSNC President & CEO Gail...
Elva “Willie” Kanuak (Ahmasuk) Amidon was instrumental in the formation of the organization Alaskans on the Potomac, which was active in the early days of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Alaskans on the Potomac provided supportive services to Alaskans and Alaska Native people visiting Washington D.C. Amidon represented Alaska on a float at...
BSNC congratulates shareholder Roy Apaagzuk Agloinga on receiving the 2021 Governor’s Arts and Humanities Award for Distinguished Service to the Humanities through education. Agloinga grew up in Natchirsvik (White Mountain) and continues to work with the remaining fluent speakers of the Iġałuik dialect of Qawairaq Inupiaq. Agloinga and other volunteer community members spent countless hours working...
BSNC shareholder and poet Roberta “Buffy” McKay recently had her poetry titled Salt & Roses published by Cirque Press. In Salt & Roses, McKay looks hard at life across a range of free verse, villanelles and haikus. McKay, who is of Inupiaq and Scottish descent, enjoys writing about memory, time and place and has written...
BSNC’s Career Pathways Series helps showcase jobs held by successful shareholders and descendants. This series aims to raise awareness of these career options and the essential skills needed to succeed in these positions. BSNC shareholder Ashley Sockpick recently completed an accelerated community-based distance education nursing program through Frontier Nursing University (FNU). FNU seeks to meet the...