The Anchorage Museum presents ATTLA (2019). Director: Catharine Axley Run Time: 61 min. Rating: Not Rated Release Year: 2019 Featuring: George Attla, Joe Bifelt, Rose Attla Ambrose
The Anchorage Museum is screening Attla on Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30–8 p.m. in the Auditorium. The powerful documentary about legendary Huslia sprint musher George Attla was directed by Catharine Axley and featured on PBS’s Independent Lens (2019). The film interweaves interviews and archival footage as Attla comes out of retirement to train his grandnephew Joe Bifelt, carrying his legacy forward.
He was an icon for me growing up, and for so many across Alaska! It’s exciting to see new audiences still discovering legendary George Attla’s story.
“Sharing stories like this helps remind us that resilience, determination, and connection to place are powerful forces,” says Janet Asaro of the Anchorage Museum. Independent Lens aptly called Attla “a rare sports film that blends the excitement of sprint mushing with the humanity of a cultural icon.”
While you’re there, visit the museum’s Dog Show exhibition, a heartfelt look at how dogs help us live, work, and connect, from sled teams in the North to pets and working dogs across the U.S. It highlights the deep human–dog bond and how it shapes culture and everyday life.
Details & tickets ($8; $5 for members): Check the Anchorage Museum website for the Nov. 13 screening of Attla.
Spirit of the Wind (1979) Presented by AMIPA and Doyon Foundation Director: Ralph Liddle Run Time: 103 min. Rating: PG Release Year: 1979 Starring: Pius Savage, George Clutesi, Slim Pickens, Chief Dan George, Rose Attla Ambrose
Here’s a rare chance to see Spirit of the Wind (1979), the biopic about my great-uncle, legendary Huslia sprint musher George Attla, on the big screen in Anchorage. AMIPA and Doyon Foundation are co-presenting a fundraiser screening at Bear Tooth Theatre Pub on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 PM. Folks often ask where they can watch this film, and this is one great way. I wouldn’t be surprised if it sells out.
AMIPA’s Kevin Tripp shared why this one matters right now: “Most importantly: it’s a great movie, shot in Alaska with Alaskans, that tells an amazing Alaska—and Alaska Native—story.” He also noted the film is showing from a new Digital Cinema Package (DCP), which is a fresh digital version that the director and cinematographer say hasn’t looked this good on a big screen since 1979.
A part of the proceeds benefit Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (AMIPA)and the Doyon Foundation. AMIPA’s share supports an endowment at the Alaska Community Foundation in memory of Lael Morgan, so your ticket helps preserve Alaska’s moving-image history while you enjoy a classic.
If George Attla’s story has touched you, or if you’ve never seen the “Huslia Husler” brought to life, come out, bring friends and family, and help spread the word. Heritage Month is the perfect time to celebrate Alaska Native stories on Alaska’s big screen.
Ïyaġaaġmiut: People Who Live Among the Rock Caches by Ch’igiioonta’ She Holds a Child is available now on Amazon, in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats.
In her latest book, Ïyaġaaġmiut: People Who Live Among the Rock Caches, author Ch’igiioonta’ She Holds A Child (known to many as Adeline Raboff) brings to life the story of the Nendaaghe Dena people and the historic forces that drove their displacement across the Western Brooks Range in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Set against a backdrop of volcanic winters, famine, and the arrival of new trade goods, Ïyaġaaġmiut braids historical events with oral history and family memory. Ch’igiioonta’ continues the legacy set by her father, who told stories.
Shifting the Timeline
Ch’igiioonta’ continues her work to place Alaska Native stories before colonial timelines and narratives. Through extensive research, she builds a historical timeline that intertwines with events happening across the globe. She describes this as “a series of events every community experiences.”
Ch’igiioonta’ She Holds A Child (Author)
Ch’igiioonta’ centers the narrative around two major volcanic eruptions—Tambora in 1815 and Mt. Zavaritsky in 1831—which caused massive climate disruption across the Northern Hemisphere. She outlines the impacts of Tambora: in 1816 there was a normal fall, but a cold one; in 1817, spring seemed normal, but by June, full-on winter began and lasted for 21 months, finally warming in spring 1818. This environmental disaster led to starvation and disease. Ch’igiioonta’ shared that her own family has oral stories about this time, referring to it as “two years of winter.”
These environmental shifts, layered with the arrival of Russians, Americans, and British, caused internal conflict over trade routes. In the interview, Ch’igiioonta’ described competition among surviving chiefs, internal warfare over trade goods, widespread movement, intertribal conflicts, and large-scale displacement.
A Network of Relationships
When asked about the deep ties between Inupiat and Athabascan peoples before Western contact, Ch’igiioonta’ spoke about long-established trade routes and international trading centers, like Sasulik across from Kotzebue. These hubs included people from Siberia, the Dene, and others—“a hodgepodge of people” who knew each other, lived together, and had children together. Gatherings were not just for commerce; they included singing, dancing, wrestling, bow and arrow contests, and more.
She explained, “Kotzebue DNA comes from a bigger region than just Kotzebue.” For example, there is a mixture of Siberian, Koyukuk, and Innoko ancestry.
Ch’igiioonta’ also noted that some communities were familiar with foreign trade items 20 to 30 years before they ever saw Europeans. Alaska Native societies already had sophisticated systems in place—well-developed trade routes, relationships, governance, and economies—long before outside contact. “All things had already been settled,” she says of the Hudson Bay Company’s arrival.
This challenges the myth that Alaska was an unformed or “empty” place awaiting outside development. In reality, Alaska Native societies were deeply interconnected, organized, and thriving long before outsiders arrived.
Ch’igiioonta’ emphasizes the importance of asking questions and building historical perspective thoughtfully. She reflects on interpreting past conflicts: “Did they happen the way they did?” Her storytelling blends oral histories with hypothesis and comparative research across regions.
For Young Alaska Native Readers
Ch’igiioonta’ hopes her work reaches young Alaska Native readers, especially those from interwoven or displaced lineages. She encourages you to look at where you are literally and culturally. Looking at Anchorage, you can see people in the village are also living in urban America. They have cell phones, toilets, water, heating oil, and other modern-day conveniences. They are a part of larger culture. “Everyone is intermixed in Alaska.”
She recognizes the complexity of identity in today’s world, and explains, “What you call culture is your culture. Us and them, we’re mixed together.” She talked about the importance of developing a love for other people. Pay attention and realize Native people have good values. Add the values—what we’re doing right now.”
She adds, “The more isolated a community, the more they preserved, like culture, stories, and ways of life.” It’s a bittersweet truth—offering hope for what was saved, but also mourning what was lost.
On historical trauma, Ch’igiioonta’ doesn’t dwell on pity. Instead, she focuses on resilience and personal responsibility. She acknowledges the painful legacies of boarding schools, the welfare system, and family separation, but emphasizes that healing comes from how people choose to move forward, and not from remaining stuck in what was done to them. For her, it’s about reclaiming both cultural values and the power to tell your own story—on your own terms.
What’s Next
Ch’igiioonta’ is already thinking ahead to her next book, which may examine how these forces played out differently in each community.
She encourages readers to explore stories beyond their own regions: “Nobody lives in isolation. If you want to learn about what happened in your region, look at other regions. Everyone sees different aspects of it.” Her work reflects shared knowledge, where she’s helped build a framework readers can use to compare stories and oral histories.
“I’m going to start some fires,” she says with a smile.
From ancient migrations to the modern challenges of identity and place, Ïyaġaaġmiut offers a layered view of survival and continuity. As Ch’igiioonta’ puts it, “Alaska Native—competitive.” And with this book, she reminds us just how strong that spirit of adaptation has always been.
Congratulations Ch’igiioonta’ She Holds A Child on her latest book! Find Ïyaġaaġmiut: People Who Live Among the Rock Caches on Amazon, in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats.
Spotlight on a Cultural Ambassador and Multimedia Journalist Shaping Indigenous Narratives
Shondiin Mayo models a Sunshine Ruff that she made with the guidance of Iñupiaq artist, Caitlynn Hanna. Photo by Naatanii Mayo.
Shondiin Mayo is a trailblazer, using her platform as a storyteller and journalist to amplify the voices and stories of Indigenous communities. As a Koyukon Athabascan and Diné woman, Shondiin’s work is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and cultural preservation in media. Whether through her documentary films, articles, or public speaking engagements, she is shaping the narrative of what it means to be Indigenous in today’s world. In this post, we’ll explore Shondiin’s inspiring journey, her passion for storytelling, and the impact she’s making in media and beyond.
Shondiin is from Stevens Village, Alaska, and Ts’ah Bii Kin, Arizona (on the Navajo Nation). She is Koyukon Athabascan and Diné, the daughter of Violet Hunt and Randy Mayo. Her maternal grandparents were the late Jean Tallman of Ts’ah Bii Kin and Harry Hunt of Shiprock, New Mexico. Her paternal grandparents are the late Marjorie Sam of Stevens Village and “Tucky” Mayo of Rampart.
Shondiin graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2021 with a degree in Creative Media and Film, specializing in documentary filmmaking. One of the things she struggled with in undergrad is choosing her major.
“For my senior capstone, I gravitated toward documentary filmmaking,” Shondiin said. Her project, Mercy, follows Greg and Ricky Taylor’s journey in dog mushing, documenting their team on the trails, in the dog yard, and at the Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race in Fairbanks. Through interviews, she explored their father, Bill Taylor’s legacy and their efforts to revive their dog team. The film captures the dedication and resilience required for the sport.
🎥 Watch Mercy by Shondiin Mayo:
Shondiin also participated in the Miss Indigenous Northern Arizona University (NAU) pageant, a student organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and supporting Indigenous student organizations. As a student ambassador, she represented NAU and surrounding communities. One of her most memorable experiences was attending the Traditional Games and Native Youth Olympics in Juneau, where she and fellow Indigenous students learned about Southeast Alaska’s games and tribal nations. The pageant helped her develop self-confidence, public speaking skills, and talent presentation.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, she faced the significant challenge of discovering her true path. Shondiin explored various graduate programs but soon realized that her interests did not align with any of them, leading her to feel like a failure when things didn’t work out.
During this period, she found comfort in traditional crafts, such as snowshoe making and creating a sunshine ruff, guided by her mentor Caitlynn Hanna.
It was only when she entered the Miss Alaska USA pageant that she received mentorship from Alyssa London, who helped her articulate her mission statement and core values. She recalls that branding played a crucial role in her preparation, and she emerged with a strong sense of purpose centered on storytelling and Indigenous representation. Although she didn’t win the crown, the experience proved to be incredibly valuable.
“People believed in me. I felt proud to be an Alaska Native on the stage and to wear traditional jewelry made by Diloola Erickson. I also credit, Jenna Pitka and Roxy Erickson for doing my hair and makeup. All of them are strong native women.”
She is now pursuing a graduate degree at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Her career has included roles as a reporter and anchor at a local news station, a communication specialist at Doyon Utilities, and now as a reporter for ICT, covering issues affecting Indigenous communities nationwide.
Shondiin encourages those considering a return to school to embrace change, as it can lead to new opportunities and personal growth.
“What motivated me to continue was the sense of confidence that education had given me and how it continues to offer new opportunities as well as stability for a secure future.” – Shondiin Mayo
In the summer of 2021, Shondiin Mayo participated in the Roland Lord Memorial Boat Race! Courtesy photo.
Beyond storytelling, Shondiin enjoys traditional activities like the Native Youth Olympics, dog mushing, and boat racing. Her journalism background and public speaking experience often lead her to emcee events, such as the Festival of Native Arts. Through filmmaking, education, and cultural engagement, she remains a dedicated advocate for Indigenous storytelling, land conservation, and community involvement.
As an IJA-ASU-ICT Fellow and freelance multimedia journalist, Shondiin’s work exemplifies the importance of Indigenous voices in shaping narratives and empowering future generations. You can follow her impactful storytelling and learn more about her work at ICT News here.
Congratulations to Deg Hit’an Teacher Carolyn Workman of Shageluk! She recently celebrated 50 years of teaching, and her community held a celebration to honor her.
Enaa baasee’ to Principal/Teacher Joyanne Hamilton for sharing details about the celebration and Carolyn’s remarkable journey.
Honoring Carolyn by Joyanne Hamilton
I am Joyanne Hamilton, the principal/teacher at the Innoko River School in Shageluk. We had a large celebration here at our school Friday, January 17. We would like to share our video with you.
We celebrated our parapro, Carolyn Workman’s 50th year of teaching. Our celebration was amazing. She is so deserving.
Our message: ALL of our classroom aides and parapros should be honored in such a way for their years of service in our rural communities. They are the backbone of our communities, our schools, our reading programs, our school functions, etc. We don’t praise them enough. We don’t recognize their strength, dedication, and service enough.
We are grateful for Carolyn Workman, our great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, wife, subsistence hunter-fisher-gatherer-processor-wood hauler, reading specialist, speech therapist, math tutor, store manager, airline agent, and preschool teacher. A previous superintendent did the math for us. She felt that Carolyn had taught reading to over 1,500 children in Shageluk since she began teaching 50-years ago.
Yes, our community is small, but we. have high standards in our families and school. I thank Carolyn Workman for setting those standards for us all.
Thank you so much for sharing our wonderful celebration.
– Joyanne Hamilton, Innoko River School, Shageluk
What a remarkable 50 years! Thank you to the students, community, family and school for sharing this wonderful tribute.
Video Credit:
This video was created and shown at the celebration, produced by Sonta and Chevie Roach. They have granted permission for its use. Additionally, all necessary permissions and authorizations have been obtained for the students and staff featured in the video.
Shared with permission by Joyanne Hamilton, Principal/Teacher of Innoko River School.
