Elder Voices

In a 2011 interview, Koyuk’s Abraham Anasogak, Sr., remembers his time in the National Guard and his work as a bilingual teacher’s aide. He shares his memories of living a subsistence lifestyle: of hunting, fishing, and running a dog team since his youth.

Gambell, Alaska on St. Lawrence Island. Courtesy of Kklunder Kathie Klunder.

Born outside Gambell, Nancy Walunga shared her story with KNOM’s Elder Voices in 2012, at the age of 85. Hear her speak in both Siberian Yup’ik and English. Nancy shares, “It’s important to let them know who you are, where you are from, your language.”

Craggy, grassy island cliff and shoreline, wrapped in mist

In 2012, Wilfred Anowlic shared with “Elder Voices” his life story, snapshots of the history of King Island, and his love of Eskimo dancing.

A view of Unalakleet from a nearby mountaintop. (Photo: Maddie Winchester, KNOM)

Stanton Katchatag of Unalakleet shares memories and reflections on his life in a 2002 episode of “Elder Voices.” “Life is a learning process,” Stanton says.

Husband and wife Alfred and Ethel Adams share their story on this rebroadcast of KNOM’s “Elder Voices.” Recorded in Koyuk in 2003, the two share their own stories of growing up in the region and of their marriage.

Walter Toolie moved to Savoonga as a boy; he learned the language and absorbed the culture of St. Lawrence Island and remained a part of its community throughout his life.

Georgianne Anasogak remembers being constantly on the move during her youth — from Shaktoolik to Elim, and ultimately to her home in Koyuk, where KNOM interviewed her in 2011. “Elder Voices” brings you the stories of western Alaska’s elders.

Hear Mike Williams, Sr., from his interview with Elder Voices from the KNOM archive: “We need to speak up… and do what is right for the generations that are coming.”

Fall tundra in Nome. Photo: Margaret DeMaioribus, KNOM.

Share in the knowledge from Koyuk’s elder Esther Kimoktoak, in an interview from April 2006 on this episode of Elder Voices.

The community of Teller is in the foreground, with Brevig Mission faintly visible across the water. Photo: KNOM File.

The oldest of 11 children, Rita Olanna grew up in Brevig Mission. Hear stories of reindeer herding, shared from her grandparents, and more details of life growing up in the region.