The Nuyakpalik Unipkaak production
LELA KIANA OMAN
Lela Kiana Oman was the first child born in Noorvik, Alaska in 1915 during a time when the spirituality and lifeways of pre-contact Iñupiaq were still within reach. Her father made her into a secret conduit from that time by sharing his stories with her and her sisters. Lela grew up to become a dedicated mother, nurse, and writer in addition to being a life-long storyteller. She is well-known for many important works including, The Epic of Qayaq: The Longest Story Ever Told by My People.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LELA:
KNOM features Lela Oman for an episode of Elder Voices in 2005 here: https://www.knom.org/wp/blog/2017/04/11/elder-voices-lela-oman/?fbclid=IwAR1wio2Y1mF-SMTa-zDknuVB00fhya2bsAvi9oZDKUTJM1MIpuM9u101SH4
The UAF Jukebox Project recorded Lela in 1996; she spoke on the 1918 flu epidemic in Nome here: https://jukebox.uaf.edu/site7/p/1861
The Alaska Daily News also wrote an interesting article on Lela Kiana Oman and her stories here: https://www.adn.com/opinions/2018/07/22/native-memory-lela-oman-and-the-secret-stories-from-the-time-before/
Meet the team!
Aaluk Edwardson
CREATIVE WRITING LEAD
Aaluk, the daughter of George and Debby Edwardson, is a multidisciplinary artist who was born and raised in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. She is a writer (of poems, plays, books and for TV), director (of plays and community performances), actress, singer and producer.
She also teaches a class connecting Iñuit identity, history and creative writing with Alaska’s only tribal college, Iḷisaġvik College. In addition to working on art and teaching, Aaluk advises on creative and cultural projects and facilitates virtual cultural education workshops with people from all walks of life. Learn more on her creative business website: www.creativedecolonization.org. AALUK EDWARDSON
CREATIVE WRITING LEAD
Aaluk, the daughter of George and Debby Edwardson, is a multidisciplinary artist who was born and raised in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. She is a writer (of poems, plays, books and for TV), director (of plays and community performances), actress, singer and producer.
She also teaches a class connecting Iñuit identity, history and creative writing with Alaska’s only tribal college, Iḷisaġvik College. In addition to working on art and teaching, Aaluk advises on creative and cultural projects and facilitates virtual cultural education workshops with people from all walks of life. Learn more on her creative business website: www.creativedecolonization.org.
HOLLY NORDLUM
CULTURAL ADVISOR
Check out Holly’s website and work on her website, Naniq Design: http://www.naniqdesign.com.
RAMEY IVAAQSRAQ QALUTAKSRAQ NAGEAK
CREATIVE SUPPORT
Ramey Rhoda Ivvqasraq Qalutikrauraq Nageak, born in Anchorage, was raised in Utqiaġvik , Alaska by her mother Susie Maggie Iqilan Akootchook Nageak of Utqiagvik, and John Miller, of Nice, France. She graduated from Barrow High School, pursued her passions in cross country and wrestling adopting resilience, dedication and persistence, qualities she carries into her work as an artist, entrepreneur, fashionista and creative researcher. Her futuristic endeavors include pursuing a psychology degree and bringing guidance to community support and services through behavioral, physical, emotional and spiritual health practices carried on by her ancestors. She is breaking historical trauma and manifesting spiritual growth.
Be gentle, be kind, and breathe.
Nakuaqqun,
Ivvqasraq
ZACH LANE
FILMMAKER
Zach Lane is an Iñupiaq photographer and filmmaker based in Anchorage with roots in Point Hope, AK. He has a BA in Journalism & Public Communications with a focus on Digital Media and a minor in Alaska Native Studies from the University of Anchorage Alaska. Zach is passionate about telling stories through an Indigenous perspective and has created multiple media projects related to Alaska Native culture.
ERICA PURRUQ KHAN
STORYTELLING LEAD
Erica Purruq Khan is a Iñupiaq Alaskan Native + Pakistani, her pronouns are she/they. She is a multi-disciplinary artist, community leader, and advocate of Indigenous practices and environmental stewardship. Her Iñupiaq names are Purruq and Masu and her roots derive from Utqiagvik, Alaska.
Erica earned her Associates from her hometown tribal college, Ilisagvik College and later earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Ethnic Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
She currently serves on the advisory board for Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic (SILA) and Mental Health Mosaics based out in Anchorage. Erica’s passion for holistic practices are integral to the reclamation of her people’s identity. We are happy to be here! Quyanaqpak!
SARA SIQIÑIQ THOMAS
CREATIVE PRODUCER
Sara Siqiñiq Thomas is a teacher’s kid and wife of a whaler from Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Previously a world traveler, she is now based in Dena’ina territory in Anchorage, where she is raising a lot of kids and working by contract as a creative collaborator for a just transition, guided by love for her family and community.
Born in Nimiipu territory, in Moscow, Idaho to two crunchy Euro-Americxn academics who were somewhere on the decolonizing spectrum without knowing it, she has been a poet, singer, writer, and eager student of language and culture from a very young age. She dreams of paying taxes to the local tribal governments instead of the U.S. federal treasury, and to one day traveling to the homelands of all of her ancestors, across three continents.
