In the early years following the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, BSNC began connecting with its shareholders through one of its earliest communication tools—the Agluktuk newsletter. Agluktuk translates to “something that is written” in Inupiaq. The May 1973 issue marks one of the first editions of Agluktuk, published less than a year after BSNC was formed in 1972.
The Agluktuk served as a vital resource to share news with BSNC’s shareholders as the corporation navigated its formative years. The newsletters reported on annual meetings, Board updates, community news, and regional priorities during a time of tremendous change for Alaska Native people and the newly created corporations. The newsletters also reveal how deeply Our People shaped the Corporation’s direction. Elders, youth, and families are featured throughout the pages celebrating accomplishments, reporting on village
events, and contributing important perspectives.
As part of an effort to preserve BSNC’s history, original issues of the Agluktuk were digitized and uploaded to beringstraits.com/agluktuk. These early newsletters are a valuable window into BSNC’s past—offering contemporary shareholders a glimpse at the challenges, milestones, and stories from decades ago. We invite readers to explore these newsletters and reflect on the vision, resilience, and leadership that continue to guide us.