Adelaine “Addy” Ahmasuk of Nome and Trevor Savetilik of Shaktoolik won the Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) 2019 Young Providers Award. The organization recognized their daily contributions “to the health and well-being of their families, communities and culture.”
Adelaine Ahmasuk, who is a commercial fisherwoman, is an advocate for indigenous people. She formed an Inupiaq speaking club and also helped host an Indigenous Women and Girls’ gathering in conjunction with the Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
She was recognized in honor of the late elder Lela Kiana Oman (Ahyakee) of Noorvik and Nome, who passed away last year at 102. Oman devoted her life to preserving Native culture and was a well-published author and speaker, and active community member.
Trevor Savetilik is a young fisherman from Shaktoolik. He began fishing with his dad, uncles, and cousins at the age of five and has fished commercially for salmon and crab since the age of ten.
Savetilik received the award in honor of the late Jacob Ahwinona of White Mountain. Ahwinona spent his life as a culture bearer who shared and modeled living life in accordance with Inupiaq values. He was also active in numerous boards and committees in the region.
Image at top: Addelaine “Addy” Ahmasuk is being recognized as a young provider. Photo: Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC); used with permission.
