Joaqlin Estus

Every summer, Barbie travels with her family to fish camp to harvest and process fish for winter use. She's shown here cutting up a salmon using a tłaabaas (curved knife) and wearing a betsegh hoolaanee (qaspeq), or summer parka. July 27, 2023 (Photo…

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A monument to Captain James Cook in downtown Anchorage hails him as “greatest explorer-navigator the world has ever known.” The plaque under the life-size statue of him highlights Cook’s travels, including Cook Inlet, where…

By Joaqlin Estus ICT Considering it is the largest state in the U.S. and home of 229 federally recognized tribes, Alaska has a government system that can be confusing. A panel discussed the respective roles of such entities as Alaska Native…

Joaqlin Estus Indian Country Today Anchorage, AK – Margaret Nakak, Inupiaq and Yu’pik, got her start sewing fur at an early age. Pointing to a picture of her toddler sister in her mother’s arms, she said, “My aunt, my mother's sister, made me a…

Just 15 years ago, most Anchorage, Alaska residents wouldn’t have been able to answer the question: who lived here before settlers arrived? Aaron Leggett, Dena’Ina, has been working to change that. He’s president of the Native Village of Eklutna and…

Sophia Tetoff is finally home, 126 years after she was sent away. About 100 of the 400 residents turned out on July 9 for the return of her remains to St. Paul Island, which is located in the Bering Sea 300 miles off mainland Alaska. "This is a…

Joaqlin Estus Indian Country Today Surveys show about a third of American workers are not satisfied with their jobs. However, career changes are hard to pull off, especially if there’s a big pay cut involved. Evon Peter, of Fairbanks, Alaska,…

'Human beings are adaptable' Joaqlin Estus Normally on Memorial Day people would gather for services honoring those who died serving in the military. Thousands of people would be traveling to veterans’ powwows where veterans would lead the grand…

Newtok theater: 'Before the Land Eroded: We Were Here' The people of Newtok remain determined to live a Yup’ik lifestyle even in the face of climate change. “Permanently” frozen ground under Newtok once held firm against the mighty Ninglick River.…

'Wash your hands like you just dumped the honey bucket!' Didder Tritt and her friend Tonya Garnett crack each other up. Both are Gwitch’in Athabascan from Vashraii K'oo or Arctic Village, in eastern Alaska. They swap videos -- “But we’re so happy”…

'Most of it dates back to when Russians came to Alaska for fur trading' Chugach Heritage Foundation hosted a New Year’s celebration last Friday. It may seem really late for that… but less so according to the calendar used by the Russian Orthodox…

A special group of people meet every year just before the Alaska Federation of Natives convenes. Reporter Joaqlin Estus and photojournalist Craig Baumann show us what the Elders and Youth conference means. Joaqlin Estus, Tlingit, is a longtime Alaska…

Approximately 6,000 people are expected to show up for two big conferences in Alaska. In Fairbanks more than a hundred volunteers, dozens of organizations and local businesses are preparing a warm welcome for approximately 6,000 people expected to…