We are so proud to share that Kawerak President Melanie Bahnke was awarded First Alaskans Institute’s prestigious Howard Rock Alaska Native Leadership Award for 2020.
The award states, “Akighqukaaghaq is called upon often by our community to advocate on behalf of Arctic and Alaska Native issues across the state, nation, and internationally as well. She always does it with a fierce love and strong voice for our peoples. Her leadership and advocacy helped to secure and solidify the first in the nation Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact between Alaska Native Tribes, Tribal organizations, and the State of Alaska.” Read More Award Details Here.
“Melanie Bahnke has humbly served as Kawerak president for almost a decade. Her vision, leadership, humility, indigenous spirit and desire for equality and justice have ensured we are consistently headed in the right direction together. She leads by example and not command, through compassion and not punishment, and her leadership is guided by our Native values. We are so proud of her, grateful for her and would like to recognize that she is well deserving of this award.” -Kawerak Board President Frank Katchatag
Comments from First Alaskans Staff and Board:
“She is a brave and courageous and compassionate person.”
“She advocates with and for our people.”
“(to Melanie) The love you have for your people…It shines through in who you are.”
The Smokehouse Gala event was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the awards ceremony streamed live on Facebook on November 21. The ceremony can still be viewed on the First Alaskans Institute’s Facebook page.
(Melanie Award at 1:29:00)
Melanie reflects, “Individual recognition is almost foreign to our people. Everything we do is done together. This beautiful award…I’m viewing it (as an award) for all of us who are doing this work. While they named me as the awardee, this is definitely a culmination of all of Kawerak staff’s collective efforts, and the leadership of our board.”
Congratulations Akighqukaaghaq!
