BSNC held its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Saturday, Oct. 1 in Nome, Alaska at the Nome Recreation Center, 208 E. 6th Ave. Shareholders voted on the election of five board directors who will serve three-year terms. Incumbents Gail R. Schubert, Louie Green Jr., Cindy Towarak Massie and Charles W. Fagerstrom were reelected and Tyler L. Ivanoff was newly elected to the Board.
Shareholders who were not able to attend in person were invited to view the meeting webcast online at www.bsncvote.com. Proxy prize drawings were held for shareholders who cast a proxy. Checks will be mailed to winners within 10 business days. In addition, the Young Providers, Youth Culture Bearer, Elder of the Year Awards and the Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship were presented to recipients.
Young Providers Award and Youth Culture Bearer Award
BSNC shareholder Hayley Weyiouanna Topkok of Teller received the Young Providers Award in honor of the late Dora Iyapana Ahkinga. BSNC descendant Nyche “Skavaq Sivulliuqti” Tyme Andrew of Anchorage received the Youth Culture Bearer Award in honor of the late Emily Ivanoff Brown. These awards honor young people with roots from the BSNC region who contribute on a daily basis to the health and well-being of their families, communities and culture. Read more: BSNC Announces 2022 Young Provider and Youth Culture Bearer Awardees (beringstraits.com)
Elder of the Year Awardees
BSNC honored Elders selected by their respective village corporation in appreciation for their accomplishments in maintaining traditional lifestyles and the determination to share valuable knowledge with our youth in preserving the culture and heritage of the Bering Strait region. This year, BSNC recognized the following Elders:
Rita Olanna – Brevig Mission Native Corporation
Tom Gray – Council Native Corporation
Carol L. Oliver – Golovin Native Corporation
Isabell Ahkvaluk – Inalik Native Corporation
Justin Tiulana – King Island Native Corporation
Luci A. Washington – Saint Michael Native Corporation
Helen L. Jackson – Shaktoolik Native Corporation
Elizabeth Nayokpuk – Shishmaref Native Corporation
Susanne A. Toliver – Sitnasuak Native Corporation
Caleb E. Dotomain – Sitnasuak Native Corporation
Rose C. Okbaok – Teller Native Corporation
Sig Wein Omiak – Teller Native Corporation
Elizabeth “Betty” Anagick – Unalakleet Native Corporation
Rose M. Kowchee – White Mountain Native Corporation
Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship
Kastyn Lie of Nome received the 2022 Beringia Settlement Trust (BST) Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is a $10,000 merit-based competitive scholarship awarded annually to one high-performing student enrolled in an accredited college or university. The scholarship honors the late Tim Towarak, who worked tirelessly to advocate for Alaska Native people. Read more: BSNC Announces 2022 Awardee of Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship (beringstraits.com)
Quyaana to all the shareholders who attended the meeting in person and online.