Excerpt of Being Alaskan: Sharing What We Have Is “Second Nature”
Kelsey Ciugun Wallace, president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, had just started her job when Typhoon Halong hit western Alaska last fall, displacing hundreds of residents from their villages to Anchorage, where they took shelter in hotels.
Her daughter Kiah, who is nine, asked her how the people would eat. That gave Wallace the idea to start making calls about finding a big freezer. She asked on Facebook for traditional food donations, and Alaskans, urban and rural, Native and non-Native, opened their small freezers and delivered tons of wild food, including maktak from the North Slope, herring eggs from Sitka, seal from Haines, gallons of berries, and salmon from every major river.
Kelsey explained that caring for people this way is a core Alaska Native value that influences Alaska's culture as a whole... Read Kelsey's full interview on rasmuson.org. Link in bio.
"Being Alaskan" is a series of interviews with locals sharing what it means to be Alaskan, the community we share, and helping one another.
Follow along to hear what neighbors are saying bring us together, and DM us to let us know who we should talk to next.
✒️@jomalley17
📸@jovell
What does dignity look like in Alaska? It looks like neighbors donating moose meat and seal oil so people they’ve never met can have a taste of home, even when they are displaced by disaster. It looks like community food banks, or an offer to drive an elderly neighbor to a doctor’s appointment, or clearing the last of the snow from someone’s yard.
Dignity isn’t an idea. It’s a practice. This month in her letter to Alaskans, our president and CEO Gretchen Guess considers dignity’s place in how Alaskans treat each other. Link in bio.
Hi Alaska! Did you know? Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day 🩵 is this Saturday. But there’s no better time to start celebrating than now!
We’ve partnered with local cafes across Alaska to spread a little kindness in our communities. From May 14-16, enjoy a free coffee on us while supplies last.
☕ Dates & locations
🔹 May 14: Highliner Coffee Co. (Sitka) | Midnight Sun Coffee Shop (Utqiaġvik)
🔹 May 15: Vagabond Blues (Palmer)
🔹 May 16: Sacred Grounds Café (Juneau, Aan Hít Village House)
*Our program officers will host a community coffee chat at Vagabond Blues on May 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.*
How do you do good for your neighbors? Share with us in the comments!
Hello, Palmer! Our program officers will be in town and would love to chat! Ask your questions, walk through a potential project, or just swing by to say hello.
Join for a coffee chat at:
☕ Vagabond Blues | 642 S Alaska St. Suite 103
📆 Friday, May 15 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pssst! Stay tuned for a special announcement coming later this week. 👀
Alaska nonprofit leaders and tribal administrators! 2027 Sabbatical Awards are still open. This program supports the renewal of Alaska leaders, with a $50,000 grant to your organization for salary coverage, interim support, travel, and more. Learn more and apply online at rasmuson.org. Link in bio.
Things to know:
📆 Deadline: June 16, 2026, 11:59 p.m. AKST
💡 Start early! Requires multiple documents, including a signed board letter of support.
❓ Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Jovell Rennie is a photographer and gallery owner. His work often showcases the diversity of Anchorage’s population from the Black community to newly arrived immigrants. Growing up, his parents taught him the importance of community and helping his neighbors, so he uses his art to do just that. Rennie holds events to provide community members free photos,from professional headshots to family pictures.
Check out Jovell's story here, then tap the Every Little Bit link in our bio to meet more people who go above and beyond to strengthen our community in Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska.
Every Little Bit is supported by Rasmuson Foundation.
🎵: Universal Production and Matt Faubion / Alaska Public Media
@jovell | @akelaspace | @blackinalaska | @rasmusonfoundation
You're invited! Please join our Sitka Community Gathering on Thursday, May 14, at the Sheet’ká Ḵwáan Naa Kahídi Tribal Community House from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there!
‼️ Deadline reminder ‼️ Applications for the Individual Artist Fellowship Awards close this Tuesday, May 5, at 11:59 p.m. AKST. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application: rasmuson.org
Need that final push to hit “submit?” X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchell of Juneau, an Emmy Award-winning writer, language revitalization advocate, and two-time IAA recipient, shares his artistic journey and words of encouragement for fellow Alaska artists.
🎥 Watch his message on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.
Learn more about X̱ʼunei’s work: troubledraven.com
Even in breakup season, Alaskans create Bright Spots.☀️
In her latest letter, Gretchen reflects on how Alaskans create good in communities across the state and introduces Bright Spots, our new storytelling campaign.
Our first story features @sitkahomelesscoalition and Hítx’i Sáani (“Little Houses”).
Read Gretchen's Letter and the first Bright Spot story on rasmuson.org. Links in bio.
Follow the good @brightspots.ak
Alaska artists, makers, and culture bearers! Applications for the Individual Artist Fellowship Awards are open until Tuesday, May 5, at 11:59 p.m. AKST.
Need a little inspiration? Kathryn Rousso, a two-time IAA recipient and textile artist from Ketchikan, shares her experience from receiving a 2023 Fellowship and offers encouragement for fellow artists. Read the full Q&A on our website at rasmuson.org. Link in bio.
Check out Kathryn's website at:
When Jocelyn Ciarlone began working with Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage, she came from a background in legal services. She saw how slowdowns in the system affected those looking for relief, so she sought out an extra way to help that involved less red tape. Along with M.A.N.A., she helped distribute over $70,000 of aid to community members in 2025.
Check out Jocelyn's story here, then tap the Every Little Bit link in our bio to meet more people who go above and beyond to strengthen our community in Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska.
Every Little Bit is supported by Rasmuson Foundation.
🎵: Matt Faubion / Alaska Public Media
@anchorage_mutual_aid@rasmusonfoundation
Last year's storytellers really really want you to come to this year's event!
The 3rd annual live event is THIS WEDNESDAY at 6pm, doors at 5:30.
Grab your seat in the balcony, tell your friends, and help spread the word. These educators have worked super hard crafting their tales and can't wait to share them with you!!!
Link for tickets in bio or via the Bear Tooth website.
See you there!
