One of the newest members of our radio family is Niviaaluk (nih-vee-AH-look) Brandt, who hosts the wildly popular Wednesday morning show Alianait Radio (ah-lee-AH-ny-eet, a word that means “let’s have a good time” in Inupiaq).

We’re excited to introduce Niviaaluk to you, in her own words:

My name is Niviaaluk Anne-Mia Mitaglak Ellanna Brandt, but everyone calls me Nivi.

I am the proud great-granddaughter of Frank and Ursula Ellanna of King Island. I was born to Lisa Ellanna of Nome, Alaska, and Erik Brandt of Greenland. I am the oldest of 4 children, and I have 13 aunts and uncles, 4 grandparents, a great-grandmother, and many cousins worldwide!

I want to be a teacher of some sort. I want to teach Inupiaq and math and influence everyone I meet in a positive way. I am interested in sharing my culture and its approach of human respect for everyone and everything. I want everyone to have a few minutes a day to enjoy life. I also want to share Inupiaq values, because of how important it is for a strong sense of self… That is what I hope to spread by sharing the music I do on my show, an hour of Native artists from across the globe… I also hope to connect people to their roots by the lyrics in the music I play.