Elder Voices: Patrick Omiak

This September, Elder Voices remembered the late Patrick Omiak. Born in Diomede in 1935, the respected leader passed away in early August of this year due to natural causes. He was 77 years old.  In November 2010, Patrick shared his memories and experiences with Elder Voices. We re-aired his story this month in honor of his […]

Elder Voices: Wilfred Anowlic

“Eskimo dancing and singing makes you feel good. It makes you forget all the problems you have in your life, your mind. It’s just like turning everything over to the care of God.” – Wilfred Anowlic Episode 1: Music Episode 2: Subsistence Episode 3: Peace  

A trip to Elim, Alaska

Thanks to a sponsorship with a regional air carrier, KNOM Radio is frequently the beneficiary of free air travel to many of the communities we serve. We view these “village trips” as essential to our mission; it gives us a vital opportunity to connect with our listeners in person and to do live reporting, on […]

Elder Voices: Harriet Penayah, Part One

This episode is the first of a three-part series featuring Yupik elder Harriet Penayah. When Harriet Penayah was growing up in Savoonga in the 1930s, the Alaska native village looked much the same as it does today. “No igloos,” she says, “no sod houses.” Just wooden-frame homes clustered above the black sandy beach. But, she says, […]

Elder Voices: Mike Williams, Sr.

Mike Williams, Sr. is a well-regarded man. An Iditarod veteran, Yupik elder, and prominent tribal rights advocate, Williams is the type of musher who draws a big crowd at the finish line, even if he comes in 45th place. He shares some of his stories on the latest edition of KNOM’s Elder Voices. Williams has mushed for […]

Elder Voices: Raymond Seetok Sr.

This month’s Elder Voices celebrates Raymond Seetok Sr, a Kingikmiut elder from Wales. Raymond was born in Wales in 1946. A whaling captain, husband, and father, he grew up with twelve siblings in the traditional Inupiaq way. He speaks about the hardships he faced, and Inupiaq lessons his elders and parents passed onto him about […]

KNOM Radio Mission, 2012: Twelve Snapshots

January In Nome, KNOM’s news department is on the front lines for a story with worldwide interest: the Russian tanker Renda makes an unprecedented winter fuel delivery, escorted in its journey through the frozen Bering Sea by the US Coast Guard icebreaker Healy. The delivery comes in the wake of an epic, fall 2011 storm […]

Elder Voices: James Okpealuk

James Okpealuk is a skilled carpenter. Throughout his life, the Teller Elder has helped build many houses in Alaska, including homes in Fairbanks, new houses in Nome, and the old school in Teller. But he remembers his traditional home in Little Diomede with a smile: “All sod and rocks…more like a shack. Small, but very […]

Rain, fish, boats, and Rolland!

Summer storms continue to dump lots of rain, and some streams and rivers are swollen with water and fish. We have seen wonderful examples of folks sharing their catch with elders and families who really savor these fresh food staples. Recently, KNOM opened its doors to the Coast Guard to inform our listeners about voluntary […]

Elder Voices: Rodney Ungwiluk, Sr. (encore)

Rodney Ungwiluk, Sr. was born May 8, 1942 in Gambell and passed away June 16, 2011. In 2009, he shared memories and stories of growing up in Gambell before electric power and lights. He talks about helping his dad hunt seals and the community’s dependence on dog teams.