Story49: Delbert Pungowiyi

Delbert Pungowiyi sits with a cup of coffee in the IRA office in Savoonga.

When Delbert Pungowiyi was a young man in Savoonga, they had “nine months of winter.” This year, ice barely reached the island. In this two-part series, Delbert shares his memories of growing up on St. Lawrence Island and how he became a fierce voice for his community in a time of great change.

Read More

Camaraderie and Culture

Side-by-side pictures of an NYO competitor preparing for, then executing, a one-foot high kick inside the St. Michael school gym.

If you ask a Western Alaska school-aged child to name their favorite sport, the most common response will likely be “Native Youth Olympics,” or NYO. The games aren’t just a way for students to compete and develop athletic skills; they’re also a means for youth to connect to subsistence culture and learn to support each other.

Read More

Listening to the Bering Sea

Bearded man stands in front of large map of Alaska

A new scientific study happening along Western Alaska’s coasts is all about listening — to the sounds of the sea, and to how those sounds are clues for long-term changes in the region. Your support brought to KNOM listeners the news of this fascinating undertaking.

Read More