Alyssa’s Transformation

This story includes references to many culturally important elements such as healing, land-based spirituality, the importance of ritual performance and intergenerational knowledge. This story includes references to oppressive experiences and terms in societies of colonial heritage such as schizophrenia, arrest, medication management and suicide. Please see the appendices document found below on this page to access inspiring cultural information and resources for learning about schizophrenia, healing from suicide and more.

Meet the team!

DOREEN NUTAAQ SIMMONDS

STORYTELLER/WRITER

Doreen Nutaaq Simmonds. Nutaaq was born and raised in Barrow, Alaska where she currently resides. She is granddaughter of Nita and Eli Ahnupkana and Abe and Mamie Simmonds. She is the third daughter of Samuel and Martha Simmonds and has 12 siblings. She has four children, one adopted, and thirteen grandchildren and two great granddaughters. She is Iñupiaq and a speaker of the North Slope dialect of Iñupiaq. Nutaaq has worked as an oral historian for the Iñupiat History Language and Culture Commission of the North Slope Borough and as a news reporter and traditional story translator for radio station KBRW.

After retirement from North Slope Borough School District as an Iñupiat Language Teacher, Nutaaq went back to school and attended the University of Alaska. She graduated with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree on Alaska Cultural Native Knowledge in May 2021. She has dedicated her life to the conservation of native languages while advocating and organizing around issues of environmental justice.

Nutaaq is also a writer and artist who draws, sews, beads, carves, sculpts and makes pottery.

DEBBY DAHL EDWARDSON

CREATIVE ADVISOR

Debby Dahl Edwardson lives and writes from Utqiaġvik, Alaska, her home of 40 years. Her books have earned many awards. Her most recent novel My Name is Not Easy was a finalist for the National Book Award. She teaches history and writing at Iḷisaġvik College, Alaska’s only tribal college.

RICHIE CAHOON

AUDIO ENGINEER

Sovereignty Stories productions are appropriate for all-ages.