Chris Apassingok’s Keynote Address from the 2017 Elders and Youth Conference

During the 2017 Elders and Youth Conference in Anchorage last week, Chris Apassingok of Gambell was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his successful bowhead whale hunt that took place offshore near St. Lawrence Island earlier this spring.

Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Byron Mallott presented the State certificate to Apassingok on stage at the Dena’ina Center. After Apassingok accepted the award, he gave his keynote address, which touched on many subjects, including decreasing sea ice near his home.

Apassingok’s full speech begins in Siberian Yupik, then continues in English:

Image at top: Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Mallott stand beside Apassingok from Gambell in the Dena’ina Center. Photo credit: Alaska Public Media (2017). Audio: Alaska Public Media.