Although COVID-19 has made navigating the Internship 2020 opportunity more challenging, we are thrilled to announce we have brought on 5 new interns to work on projects with Kawerak this summer with Kawerak. Yorise Nagliina Yakunin of the Native Village of White Mountain will be working with the Katirvik Cultural Center, Joshua Atghaghvik Cannon descendant of the Native Village of Savoonga will be working with the Social Science Department, Amy Naataq Bioff will be working with the Outreach Department, Kira Apaachuaq Eckenweiler will be working with the Eskimo Heritage Program and Allaryce Paniiraq Algoinga will be working with the Legal Department. Please take the time to get to know them a bit more below!

Name: Yorise Yakunin

Traditional Name: My Inupiaq name is Nagliina after my grandma Katherine Olson.

Tribal Affiliation: The Native Village of White Mountain

Family Members: Husband is Jonah Yakunin. Parents are Luann & Dan Harrelson of White Mountain and Peter & Rachel Olson of Golovin. Grandparents are George & Willa Ashenfelter of White Mountain  and John and Katherine Olson of Golovin

What you are studying in school and where: Masters in Secondary Education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Thing you enjoy doing outside of school/work: Reading, crocheting, and spending time at home in White Mountain.

What you hope to get out of the internship: The opportunity to apply my academic skills in the workplace, work experience grounded in regional application, and the potential investment in a meaningful career.

Favorite quote/saying/inspirational or motivational thought: “Not all who wander are lost.” By J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Name: Joshua Cannon

Traditional Name: Atghaghvik (a way home)

Tribal Affiliation: Siberian Yupik, represented by Native Village of Savoonga

Family: My mom is Melanie Bahnke, my step father is Kevin Bahnke, my father is the late Lance Cannon, sisters include Ivy and Alycyn Bahnke.

What you are studying in school and where: I am attending college at the University of Alaska Anchorage, I am studying business and plan to graduate with my BBA in Marketing and a minor in Alaskan Native Business Management

Thing you enjoy doing outside of school/work: I enjoy biking  and plan to purchase a downhill mountain bike with my first paycheck from the internship. I also enjoy fishing here and hiking as well.

What you hope to get out of the internship: I hope to get a better understanding of the work that Kawerak does in Alaska and primarily the Bering Straits region.

Favorite quote/saying/inspirational or motivational thought: “Implementing Extreme Ownership requires checking your ego and operating with a high degree of humility. Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team.” – Jocko Willink from ‘How US Navy Seals Lead and Win’

 

Name: Kira Apaachuaq Eckenweiler

Traditional Name: Apaachuaq

Tribal Affiliation: Native Village of Unalakleet

Family Members: My father Gary, my mother Willa, my sister, Giaana, and my niece Amelia.

What you are studying in school and where: I graduated in May 2020 with my Master of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Thing you enjoy doing outside of school/work: Hiking, fishing, gathering greens, hunting, basketball, and traveling.

What you hope to get out of the internship: I hope to further my traditional knowledge as well as my knowledge of tribal governance to become a better performer and creator.

Favorite quote/saying/inspirational or motivational thought: Fear regret more than failure.

 

Name: Allaryce Agloinga.

Traditional Name: Paniiraq.

Tribal Affiliation: Native Village of White Mountain

What you are studying in school and where: I am currently studying Legal Studies at UAA.

Thing you enjoy doing outside of school/work: When I am not at work or school I enjoy being outside and camping.

What you hope to get out of the internship: I hope to gain a stronger understanding of Tribal Government and Law from this internship.

Favorite quote/saying/inspirational or motivational thought: “Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” Wayne Dyer.

 

Name: Amy Bioff

Traditional Name: Naataq

Tribal Affiliation: Native Village of Koyuk

Family: Lily Pilcher (Grandma)

What you are studying in school and where: Journalism/ UAA

Thing you enjoy doing outside of school/work: Camping on the weekends!

What you hope to get out of the internship: I hope to gain knowledge in areas regrading my journalism degree and to gain experience that will help benefit my profession. I also hope to gain a better understanding of our tribal governments and villages in our region.

Favorite quote/saying/inspirational or motivational thought: It is okay where you are, but it is not okay to stay there