Alaska Native – Athabascan Woman Blog

Graphic for the 2026 Alaska Native Pulse featuring hands in the background, the title “Alaska Native Pulse” in red at the top, a large white arrow pointing to “2026,” and “Athabascan Woman Blog” in red at the bottom.

There are many upcoming events of interest to Alaska Native people and Alaskans in the next few months. I publish this list each year before Native New Year, usually marked by the week when the First Alaskans Institute’s Elders & Youth Conference and the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention are held.

What’s happening in the communities? I enjoy attending these events to learn more about Alaska Native culture and to visit with friends and relatives. If you know of any events happening around the state or virtually that you would like me to add, please let me know.

Upcoming Events

Athabascan Fiddlers Dances • September 11, November 13, & December 4 • The Nave Spenard, Anchorage

“Ḵutulagaaw: The Tlingit-Russian Battles” • September 11, 2026 • Thunder Mountain Middle School, Juneau ● The world premiere of the opera is set for Sept. 11, 2026. Performances will run on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons Sept. 11-20

Gallery Talk: Tsimshian & Haida Clothing & Ornamentation • September 11, 2026 • Anchorage Museum, Anchorage

NOVA. KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS Film Premiere ● September 23, 2026 at 9pm ET/8c on PBS (check local listings) and will stream at pbs.org/nova and the PBS App ● Vision Maker Media (VMM) is premiering a new film for the PBS science series NOVA.

KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS documents Indigenous scientific knowledge, built on relationships with the environment and passed down through generations. KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS reveals how deeply-held cultural traditions inform remarkable innovations, from ancient sea farming techniques that optimize ecosystems to celestial navigation methods perfectly adapted to extreme environments like the frozen Arctic. Viewers will learn how centuries of observation, experimentation, and adaptation have forged solutions to complex challenges like living in the harsh climate of the desert Southwest. Today, knowledge keepers fight to preserve this ancient expertise and consider how it could transform our future. Photo courtesy of WGBH Educational Foundation

Third Thursday at the Ch’k’iqadi Gallery • October 15, 2026 • Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage

2026 Alaska Food Festival and Conference • October 16 – 18, 2026 • Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center, Fairbanks, AK • Registration required

First Alaskans Institute’s Elders & Youth Conference • October 18-21, 2026 • Dena’ina Center, Anchorage • Theme: K’ets’e k’ʉdaa neehʉghleł (Denaakk’e, Koyukon Athabascan) — “We are approaching change”

Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Annual Convention • October 22-24, 2026 • Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center, Anchorage • Theme: Rooted in Land and Tradition, Rising in Our Voices

Alaska Native Customary Art Fair • October 22-24, 2026 • Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center, Anchorage

Quyana Alaska I-II • Alaska Federation of Natives • October 22-23, 2026 • Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center, Anchorage

AFN Banquet & Silent Auction + Featuring musical guest, Kuya • Alaska Federation of Natives • October 24, 2026, 7 pm ● Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center, Anchorage

Alaska General Election • November 3, 2026 • Get Out the Vote!

44th Annual Athabascan Music Festival • November 5-7, 2026 • Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall, Fairbanks

44th Annual Athabascan Music Festival. Visit krff891.com to learn how you can get involved.

Indigenous Full Spectrum Birth Helper Training • November 9-13, 2026 • Anchorage • Apply by October 4, 2026

Please note that this is not meant to be a complete list, and event dates are subject to change. I recommend checking the provided links for the most up-to-date information and reaching out to the event organizers with any questions or concerns. I am not personally affiliated with any of these events.

Feel free to email me with any events you would like me to consider adding, or comment below.

Alaska Native/Indigenous People

Ellen Paneok’s Legacy Continues with New Alaska Nonprofit

August 28, 2026August 29, 2026 Angela Gonzalez

Six young Alaskans stand in front of a Redbird flight simulator at the Paneok launch in Anchorage. — Young rural Alaska Natives pursuing careers in aviation gather in front of a flight simulator at the Paneok launch in Anchorage. The new nonprofit is helping create pathways to aviation training, mentorship, scholarships and career opportunities for rural Alaska youth.

I attended the project launch of Paneok, an educational nonprofit in Anchorage. They connect rural Alaskan youth with aviation training, mentorship, scholarships and career opportunities.

According to their website, “Through Ellen Paneok’s pioneering spirit we support clear pathways for the next generation to learn, lead and take flight.”

My friend, Jamie Klaes, helped start this nonprofit. I met Jamie when I lived in Bettles back in the day. She is passionate about flying and creating opportunities for rural Alaskan youth. I have admired her tenacity, along with that of the whole team who made this possible.

The launch was held at Merrill Field, the same Anchorage airport where Ellen Paneok learned to fly. Hearing airplanes in the background made it a fitting place to celebrate her legacy and the next generation of Alaska aviators. Members of Ellen’s family were also there to be part of the celebration.

We heard from some amazing supporters who shared stories about the late Ellen Paneok, a pioneering Alaska Native pilot. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard about this legendary Alaska Native woman before this event. It was inspiring to hear about her life and the many ways she broke barriers, mentored others and made an impact on Alaska aviation.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski described Ellen as a “Renaissance woman,” whose passion for flying was only one part of a remarkable life defined by courage, mentorship and service. Other speakers reflected on how Paneok will carry that spirit forward by helping young Alaskans see themselves in aviation—and giving them the opportunity to believe, “I might belong here.”

Jamie Klaes speaks into a microphone alongside several young Alaskans at the Paneok launch, with photographs and artwork displayed behind them. — Paneok co-founder Jamie Klaes introduces young Alaskans pursuing aviation and shares some of their accomplishments during the nonprofit’s launch at Merrill Field in Anchorage. Photo by Angela Gonzalez

There is much more to Ellen Paneok’s story than I can capture here, and she is well worth learning more about. What stood out to me at the launch was how clearly her spirit still resonates with the people who knew her—and how intentionally this new nonprofit is working to carry that legacy forward.

Watch the video:

It was especially meaningful to see several young Alaskans there who are already pursuing aviation careers. Jamie introduced them and proudly shared some of their accomplishments at the end of the video.

Congratulations to Jamie, Kate and the entire Paneok team on a successful launch. It was especially meaningful to see Ellen’s family there and to witness how proud they were of what is being built in her name.

Angela Gonzalez with her relative Patricia “Patty” Yaska of Chuathbaluk at the Paneok launch in Anchorage. Patty serves on Paneok’s Advisory Council as a Rural Community Advisor and is passionate about helping the next generation of rural Alaskans find their voice and pursue opportunities in aviation.

Athabascan in the Spotlight

From Kaltag to the Alaska Air National Guard: Honoring Technical Sergeant Wanda Solomon-Parsons

November 11, 2025 Angela Gonzalez

Technical Sergeant Wanda Solomon-Parsons at her retirement ceremony with her siblings. Photo by Angela Gonzalez

From the Yukon River village of Kaltag to the Alaska Air National Guard, Wanda Solomon-Parsons has lived a life rooted in hard work and service. Her father, First Sergeant William Solomon, Sr., served before her, setting the example she carried throughout her own remarkable career.

I first featured Wanda in 2014 (Wanda Solomon – Alaska Native Guardswoman) when she was actively serving. More than a decade later, she is celebrating retirement as a Technical Sergeant (E6) after 28 years of combined service in the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, including two tours in Afghanistan (2005 and 2012).

Wanda reflected that being both Alaska Native and a woman profoundly shaped her experience.

“It made me try harder due to being a minority and being a woman. I feel that both of these made it harder for me.” – Technical Sergeant Wanda Solomon-Parsons

Despite the obstacles, she stayed determined, building her skills, seeking every opportunity for training, and mentoring others along the way.

Even in retirement, Wanda plans to continue serving by staying connected with veterans, especially women she’s served alongside, and helping others navigate medical and counseling services. Her next steps include working part-time and joining Alaska Native corporation and community boards to continue giving back.

Her advice for young people, especially Alaska Native women, considering military service is simple but powerful:

“Do your soul searching and know for sure your desires, intent, and where you want to be in 20 years. Then go for your goal.”

Wanda says her military career “shaped me to be the person that I am today,” grounding her in family, health, and spiritual strength.

We recently celebrated Wanda’s retirement, a day filled with laughter, stories of courage, and heartfelt gratitude. Friends, relatives, and fellow service members shared messages of pride and love from across Alaska and beyond. That outpouring of community pride speaks volumes about Wanda’s impact.

Her 28 years of service reflect not only personal dedication but also the collective strength of her people, showing what it means to see an Alaska Native, Koyukon Athabascan woman leading and protecting with honor.

Congratulations, Technical Sergeant Wanda Solomon-Parsons, on your retirement and extraordinary legacy. Enaa baasee’ for your service and example.

🎥 Watch Wanda’s story: SSgt Wanda Solomon, U.S. Army – Afghanistan — interview by Larry Cappetto for Voices of History (YouTube, July 9, 2025)

Athabascan in the Spotlight

Nazune Menka – Koyukon Athabascan Lawyer and Professor

September 3, 2024September 4, 2024 Angela Gonzalez

It’s important to have mentors, so I asked Professor Nazune Menka if she could share a little bit about her journey in law and life on the Athabascan Woman Blog. I have followed her educational journey and career and admired her drive and tenacity. Professor Menka was born and raised in Anchorage and Chistochina. She is Koyukon Athabascan and Lumbee.

Professor Menka recently joined the Seattle University School of Law as an Assistant Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Center for Indian Law & Policy. She holds a J.D. from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers School of Law, where she earned a Certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy. In her new role, she will teach and write about Indigenous Peoples and Native Nations, constitutional law, legal history, property law, and environmental law and policy.

Before joining SU Law, Professor Menka held various roles at Berkeley Law, including serving as the Center for Indigenous Law & Justice’s Executive Director, Supervising Attorney in the Environmental Law Clinic, Lecturer, and Tribal Cultural Resources Project Policy Fellow. She has also worked on policy issues in the Alaska and Hawaii state legislatures and has completed various intern and management programs. Read more about her background, published work and other activities from Seattle University.

“If I have any advice to share it would be to stay true to yourself, follow your passions, and to not be afraid of the challenges that arise along your journey. I left a chemistry Ph.D. program, that I’d dedicated several years to but was unhappy in, to go to law school. It wasn’t a popular decision, and it was a bit scary, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made. And I love what I do now. I want that for everyone.” – Nazune Menka

Continue reading →

Alaska life

Berry Picking Memes

July 19, 2024August 22, 2025 Angela Gonzalez

It’s berry picking season in Alaska! Some of my favorite memories in Alaska are picking berries with my relatives and friends. Once you are in the berry patch, it is often peaceful and relaxing. You get to chat and joke around. We often joke about secret berry picking spots. To celebrate berry pickers and their treasured secret spots, I’ve created some memes. Enjoy and feel free to share! 🫐✨

I added some more new ones on the top.