Alaska Native Voices from WWII Are Focus of Historical Project
Most people, Alaskans included, don’t know very much about the role of Alaska Native people in World War II. That’s according to Dr. Holly Miowak Guise, of Unalakleet and Anchorage. She is currently documenting the experiences of Alaska Native elders in a book and digital library. Dr. Guise says she never heard about the Aleut […]
From the GM’s Desk (November 2019)
“Service comes in many forms at KNOM. It is lived out through volunteering time, talent, and treasure to keep the mission strong. It is in the gift of presence over the phone, expressed in letters, and sharing a cup of coffee in the station. KNOM is a living and breathing mission of God, where giving […]
Commission for Public Safety Formed
“We have a very sick community and we need to try making things turn around and make it a healing community.” That’s from Carol Piscoya, one of the civilians sworn into Nome’s new Public Safety Advisory Commission. The commission is grappling with a history of sexual assault cases that have gone without investigation. As the […]
‘Dear Friend of KNOM…’ (November 2019)
“Thank you for your service,” is commonly used today to recognize the sacrifice of our nation’s troops. It acknowledges the commitment to serve, often unconditionally and at great personal cost to a greater good. Their sacrifice is made worthy with a larger long term view. KNOM recognizes this service in a spot series and features […]
‘We Want To Live Here’
“We all want the same thing. We want to become a community again. We want to live here; we want our youth to know exactly where we’re from instead of just one word: ‘Solomon.’” That’s Deilah Johnson, a young woman from Solomon, a seasonal, historic community about an hour’s drive east of Nome. She wears […]
History Underwater
Western Alaska has been breaking one climate record after another in recent years. On August 2, Nome set a new record, for most precipitation in a 24-hour period: 2.43 inches of rain, exceeding the previous record set in 1956. The rain caused coastal flooding in places, such as near Solomon at the “Last Train to […]
‘Elder Voices’ Returns
In Alaska Native communities, the oral history and wisdom passed down through elders is highly revered. Over the years, KNOM has collected and produced dozens of long-form interviews for the series Elder Voices, inviting elders in Western Alaska to share their insights and life stories. In recent months, the show has returned to air with […]
From the GM’s desk (October 2019)
At KNOM’s weekly team meetings, we revisit ‘mission moments’ experienced over recent days. As each ‘Static’ is crafted, the mission lived on a historical scale is once again brought to light. These moments remind us how we are all connected and called forth as community to share wisdom and celebrate. May we be reminded of […]
‘Dear Friend of KNOM…’ (October 2019)
Every Western Alaskan has an example of Divine Intervention. The longer the rural life, the more frequent the stories. These are times when there is no other reasonable explanation than God’s grace for an unexpected blessing, survival from peril, or delivery from fear or trials. Rural Alaskans live a simple life, where the only things […]
Dancing for Days
Among Western Alaska’s most joyous annual events is the Kingikmiut Dance Festival. It’s a gathering of drumming and dancing ensembles from throughout the region for a weekend of happy reunions, fellowship, community-building, and song late into the night. Kingikmiut takes place in Wales, the westernmost community in the North American mainland and a village within […]