Jerica Niayuq Aamodt, Iñupiaq and Norwegian from Utqiaġvik where she was raised her whole life. She holds a master’s degree in Rural Development and bachelor’s degree in Alaska Native Studies with an emphasis in Alaska Native Languages from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Niayuq works as the Assistant Professor of Iñupiaq Studies at Iḷisaġvik College. Through her work and personal life, her passion is to teach, learn, and share the Iñupiaq language, culture, and traditions to everyone around her. She enjoys picking edible and medicinal tundra plants, gardening, hand and machine sewing traditional clothing, Arctic photography, hunting, camping, and being on the land.
Angelica Afcan is Yup’ik from Nunam Iqua, Alaska and she currently resides in Bethel. She is a Dental Health Aide Therapist and also works as an affiliate instructor with Iḷisaġvik College at the Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program. She has two girls and loves spending her free time with them when she is not taking classes or working. Her heart was recently awoken to creating artwork, she is exploring different mediums along with paints, water colors, sharpies, and charcoal. She also traditionally hand sews regalia, crochets, and knits. She writes poetry, and does journaling. Her recent found love for painting and drawing has helped open her eyes to details around her that were difficult to appreciate before.
Emily Allis is an artist from Seattle, WA. Her inspiration comes mostly from travels and dreams. The main mediums used for her art pieces are ink and water color. Growing up around the ocean allowed her to build a strong bond with nature which gave her the elements to conceive her creations. Her deep awareness of the importance of conservation inspires many of her art pieces. Emily now lives in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Instagram handle: @emallisart
Arshan “Zian” Bucatcat likes to play ukulele, piano, and saxophone. She also sings with her church choir. Her favorite sport is hockey. She also enjoys commercial fishing with her family and picking wild berries with her two younger sisters in Kalgin Island.
John Bergman lived in Utqiaġvik for almost six years. John currently resides in Denver running his graphic design business (jbphotographics.net) and spending quality time with his family. He is passionate about the arts and constantly strives to engage himself in creative pursuits. He loves to travel and has a deep appreciation for nature, culture, and photography.
Alexander Dattillo was born in Orem Utah. After moving around for years, he landed in barrow in 2007. He has an AA in Liberal Arts and is currently pursuing a social sciences degree with UAS. He loves spending time exploring, playing with dogs, kayaking, and reading.
Amber Downey is a college student at Iḷisaġvik College. She is from Point Hope, Alaska, but she resides in Utqiaġvik. She is taking courses to obtain her associate’s degree in indigenous early learning. She plans on becoming an Iñupiaq bilingual teacher for early childhood. She believes in strengthening Iñupiaq culture through language.
Aaluk Susan Edwardson is an Iñupiaq/Norwegian artist working to empower students and support community resilience. She was born and raised in Utqiaġvik, Alaska; George and Debby Edwardson are her parents. Aaluk is a writer, teacher, and community collaborator who has written plays, published poetry, and worked with students to develop their creative voice in Alaska, New England, California, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. She specializes in using the arts as a tool for empowerment and healing and teaches classes in creative writing and performance.
Her website is www.aalukedwardson.com.
Rebecca Morgen Enderle was a student at Iḷisaġvik College. She has a desire to become a child life specialist. She was a photographer and a graphic designer for the college. She is an adventurer and loves to hike and explore Alaska. She also loves to do creative writing and has written many short stories, songs, and poems.
Denise Merat is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She has lived in Alaska for about 22 years, working 11 years for Ilisaġvik College as both an English instructor and the Director of Foundational Studies Dept. She recently graduated with an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts with an emphasis on Poetry. Her poem, “Tundra Dawn,” was published online, and her typical theme is nature and the many transformations that people go through in life. She is excited to work on Aglaun in 2020 and wants to promote the creative expression of North Slope residents, sharing the beauty of the Iñupiaq voice and other Native Alaskan work. She lives alone with her dog, Kismet.
Romeo Morales has lived in Utqiaġvik for more than six years. Romeo currently works with the Alaska Court System, having moved to Alaska from Los Angeles in 2012. When not in court, he indulges in what he loves most: travelling, photography, documentaries, and writing. He recently visited Mongolia, and he presented photography of the trip to the Rotary Club in Utqiaġvik.
Daphne Mueller – author of Gabriel the Messenger.
Frances Pikok has lived in Utqiaġvik since 1986 and works for the NSBSD. She is currently perusing a degree in the indigenous early education program. Frances has a personal connection to one of those that stood his ground during the Duck-In incident. Frances enjoys world travel and loves family history.
Debbie Rice is originally from Vancouver, Washington. She works for the North Slope Borough School District. Currently, she is completing her degree in indigenous education at Ilisaġvik College. Her interests include spending time with her family, home decorating, antique shopping, and traveling.
Dana Spicer has been a student in Alaska her whole life. She has studied psychology and liberal arts at the University of Alaska-Anchorage and Iḷisaġvik College. Dana is one of four children born to Walter Spicer Jr., and Molly Spicer. She and her siblings all grew up and went to the public school system in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. When she’s not studying for her degree, she works as an office assistant; she’s worked for North Slope Borough Behavioral Health, ASRC, and Civil Construction, LLC. She’s often focused on how her creative imagination can benefit her cultural community.
Amanda Sweeting was born and bred on the California coast and transplanted to Utqiaġvik almost four years ago. She has a Bachelors of Fine Art from Academy of Art University of San Francisco and has studied a plethora of creative avenues. She enjoys reading, hanging out, meeting new people and puppies, being weird, jumping around in the rain, going to live shows, hiking, camping, traveling, meandering and wandering. Instagram handle: @thatsweet_life.
Sara Siqiñiq Thomas is raising her family in her hometown Utqiaġvik, Alaska with along with her extended family. She is a dedicated student of the Iñupiaq language and a community organizer, as well as a graduate student of Rural Development at UAF. She is a creative collaborator on several community decolonization projects, a poet, and songwriter/singer. Sara advocates and supports all creative expressions for wellness and justice.