BSNC seeks nominations for the Young Providers Awards and Youth Culture Bearer Award. These awards will annually recognize one young person in the region, and one young person who lives out of region, who serve as positive examples and who contribute on a daily basis to the health and well-being of their families, communities and culture.

These awards recognize young people who perpetuate Alaska Native culture and a positive lifestyle not by measure of academic or financial success, but by serving as positive examples and providing for their community in the one or more of the following ways:

1. He/she cares for family through subsistence activities, Elder care, or mentoring of young people in traditional activities and values or education.
2. He/she is involved in activities that benefit the community such as suicide prevention programs, youth sports, community well-being and health.

The recipients will be awarded $1,000 each. The deadline for nominations is July 7, 2023. Nominations will be accepted from family members, tribal and corporation board members, schoolteachers or administrators and community members.

Award Criteria:

1. Nominee must be less than 30 years of age. Nominations for teenagers and those younger are welcomed and encouraged.
2. Young Provider Nominees must reside in or have family connection to one of the Bering Straits Region villages.
3. Youth Culture Bearer Nominees must reside outside of the Bering Straits Region.
4. The awardees will be determined to be the best three nominees based on their fulfillment of the intent of the award.