Awards:
2020 Alaska Literary Award
2019 Alaska Governor’s Arts & Humanities Award
Distinguished Service in Leadership: chosen by Governor Bill Walker, the award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped strengthen communities through their commitment to improve Alaska’s social, economic, and civic life.
2016 Alaska Press Club Award – Best Column
“Why can’t Alaska media portray the rural Alaska I know?”
2014 Alaska Press Club Award – First Place Best Humor
“Who needs a man once an Alaska girl has mastered the chainsaw?”
2014 Alaska Broadcasters Association Goldie Award – Radio Live Sports Event Division 2
“Iditarod 2014: Dallas Seavey, Aliy Zirkle Race to Record-breaking Time to Nome”
2011 Alaska Broadcasters Association Goldie Award – Uniquely Alaskan
Program Division 2
“Eating Alaska: Fish Faces”
2010 Alaska Broadcasters Association Goldie Award – Radio Live Sports Event Division 2
“2010 Iditarod Finish: Lance Mackey”
Stories and sargiq
Sargiq is a medicinal plant that conveniently grows near people’s homes. Unlike the English name used today – stinkweed – it smells really good, but like most medicinals it’s bitter. If I had a sniffle Gram would give me a small portion in a small cup to drink. I never, ever wanted to, but I did what Gram said. And it always helped my body heal so I could run around and play hard.
Stories seem to be like that. Truth is like that. Real good.
How it began and where it’s going
I got my storytelling start at KNOM Radio, working as a feature reporter and afternoon deejay. I quickly moved into the News Director role and began to understand the importance of sharing stories of the culture and people in Western Alaska with the greater Alaska listening audience.
Storytelling continued and I contributed to We Alaskans as a monthly columnist, where I began to understand the value in sharing from our hearts and the heart of our lifestyle. I also came to value the importance of Indigenous peoples sharing our own stories.
Like Gram gave me sargiq, she also gave me the gift of storytelling. I continue to write as a freelance writer. I’m currently a MFA Creative Writing student in IAIA’s Low Rez program. I am writing a memoir sharing the history of culture, religion, education, and military presence and how it all ripples into our lives today.
laureli ivanoff 