At KNOM, we count among our many blessings not only the supportive communities that surround us in Western Alaska but, also, the incredible individuals who, so often, in ways big and small, volunteer to make our mission and our region even better.

Meet one of these individuals: Marjorie Tahbone.

Marjorie, or Marge, was born and raised in the Nome area. Her roots go deep in Alaska — and her passions do, too. Her recent professional, academic, and pro bono pursuits all show a great enthusiasm for sharing and celebrating the Alaska Native culture and language of her ethnicity and upbringing.

Recently, for example, Marjorie won well-deserved kudos for spearheading and then teaching a new high school class in Nome focusing on the Alaska Native language of Iñupiaq (ih-NOO-pee-ock). (As we mentioned briefly in our Year-End Static, the class and its teacher were the subjects of a widely popular KNOM Profile a few months ago.)

Around the same time as she was teaching teenagers Iñupiaq, Marjorie was also preparing to serve the community in another way: as a KNOM deejay. In October, she began a weekly stint as a KNOM late morning host; on Wednesdays from 10am to 12noon, she now hosts Alianait Radio (ah-lee-AH-nah-eet), deejaying with her Iñupiaq name of Kunaq (COO-nahk). The program offers a wide variety of music but focuses, in particular, on Alaska Native musical styles and indigenous music in general.

Thanks for making possible Kunaq’s fabulous, weekly show! We know our listeners greatly appreciate the time Marjorie volunteers. And so do we.