Igḷuġuq Okleasik

My Iñupiaq name is Igḷuġuq and I prefer to be called Igḷuġuq. I am from Qikiqtaġruk (Kotzebue) and I live in Sitnasuaq (Nome).  My parents are Tarruq and Aġnik Schaeffer of Qikiqtaġruk and Nuurvik (Noorvik).  My husband is Ukallaysaaq and from Sitnasuaq. We have four children, Ivik, Qaulluq, Taluġnaqtuaq and Kavlaq. It is important to hear our indigenous languages on the radio. I am a second language learner of Iñupiaq. It’s important to hear Iñupiaq many times to learn Iñupiaq. I love country music and am able to volunteer at the radio station to play music I love and speak and teach Iñupiaq.