Stories
Scholarship and grant recipients share how TCF funding shaped their education, careers, and communities. Featured stories use this site's new layout; additional profiles still live on legacy URLs until migrated.
Higher Education Scholarship
Darla Rivera
TCF didn't just fund my education — it told me my community believes in what I'm building.
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CTE Scholarship
Dylan Boston
I had people I could lean on. We studied together. It surprised me how much easier it was to learn when we helped each other.
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Higher Education Scholarship
Emily Magara
Without The CIRI Foundation, I would not have been able to afford school on a single income. Their support allowed me to focus on my studies.
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CTE Scholarship
Larry Hawkins
Because of The CIRI Foundation, I was able to achieve a goal of mine and start focusing on giving back through my knowledge.
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Higher Education Scholarship
Madison Perkins
Never give up and always work as hard as you can. It will get you a long way, and when you look back, you will never regret not trying.
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TCF Alum
Anita Johnson
By Rachael Fisher, TCF Communications Manager
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Ann Caindec
Ann’s indigenous heritage is intricately woven into her identity, her roots stemming from a Tlingit mother and a Hawaiian father. This rich upbring...
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TCF Alum
Carrie Beck
This May, I graduated with my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, my daughter graduated with her Masters in Experimental/Social Psycholog...
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TCF Alum
Carter Eaton
When Carter first set foot at Arizona State University four years ago, he thought it would be a seamless transition from high school. Little did he...
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Hannah Lowery
I am going into my senior year of college in the nursing program at Arizona State University. Currently, my plan is to become a postpartum nurse or...
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TCF Alum
Harmony Nyitrai
By Rachael Fisher, TCF Communications Manager
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Jacob Schmidt
Dear The CIRI Foundation, I wanted to take a moment and try to put into words what the support I have received over the years has meant to me. Fina...
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TCF Alum
Kaylee Merrill
Kaylee Merrill is a 2023 graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science with magna cum laude honors. Kaylee was awarded Outs...
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Laura Cantrell
These wise words are simply timeless. And when an eligible CIRI shareholder or descendant is ready to embrace their potential, The CIRI Foundation ...
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TCF Alum
Lynn Carroll
Lynn Carroll (descendent) graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Arizona this May. Previously, Lynn served as...
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TCF Alum
Mauri Butzke
“I recently graduated from Fort Lewis College with a B.S. in Biochemistry, a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies, and a pre-health cert...
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TCF Alum
Maverick Merrill
Maverick Merrill graduated this May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology. He is already working for Fish and Game. He is in Eagle, Alaska, ...
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Sabrina Walker
Gunalchéesh for supporting my journey. I am honored that I received scholarships from The CIRI Foundation. I graduated with a Master’s of Legal Stu...
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TCF Alum
Shara Diamond
Hello,
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Ashlee Rowland “Now I am Certified!”
As of October I graduated from my vigorous 800 hour nutrition certification program. I learned so much during the program and would now love to get...
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Ayyu Qassataq
I am deeply thankful to The CIRI Foundation for supporting me throughout my higher education to grow and put my own advocacy and leadership to work...
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Brenda Blankenship
My name is Brenda Marie Blankenship, and I’m one of those people who decided to go to school later in life. I am Athabaskan, and an enrolled member...
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Christian Kamkoff
The cultural support of American Indians and Alaskan Natives is incredibly important to the community. A critical component of this support comes t...
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Cynthia Baldwin
My name is Cynthia Baldwin the daughter of Nicholas and Patricia Baldwin. My great grandmother, Lucy Whitley, is the original CIRI Shareholder that...
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Denise Tuttle
Although I teach full-time and have periodically taken educational classes, a Master’s Degree seemed unreachable for me. I wondered if I could mana...
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Janelle Feller
Hello, my name is Janelle Feller and I am an Athabascan Alaska Native, as well as a member of the Native Village of Ruby. I was born and raised in ...
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TCF Alum
Jordan Finney
Dear The CIRI Foundation,
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TCF Alum
Lauren Sanford
My name is Lauren Sanford and I was born and raised in Washington State. My mom was born and raised in Fairbanks, and has taught me to love and app...
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TCF Alum
Marcus Nolan
Patricia Baldwin captured the moment her grandson, Marcus Nolan, received notification that he would have a scholarship from The CIRI Foundation to...
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Marissa Shaver
Hello! My name is Marissa Shaver from Fostoria, Ohio. I have been one of the scholarship recipients for the past four years and now for this upcomi...
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Peter DuBois
I am Yupik Inuit, and a CIRI descendant of James and Mabel Larsen, my grandparents, original CIRI shareholders and my mother, Katherine DuBois, als...
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Raina Thiele
I was born and raised in various parts of the great state of Alaska. My mom (Dena’ina Athabascan) is from Lake Iliamna and my dad (Yup’ik and Germa...
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TCF Alum
Savannah Bickley
My mother tied the makeshift plastic bib around my tiny torso checking to make sure it wasn’t too tight. Guiding my pudgy hands, she gently dipped ...
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Shandice Johnson
I began my college career torn between pursuing law or medicine. I quickly realized neither one was for me. On a whim, I had taken a Computer Scien...
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TCF Alum
Steven Brown
Over the past two years I have been blessed to receive the general academic year scholarship from The CIRI Foundation (TCF) and I cannot begin to e...
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Tammy Ashley, “My Academic Success”
My name is Tammy Tuttle Ashley, daughter to Terry and Delores Tuttle. I am an original CIRI shareholder born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. My Gr...
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TCF Alum
Tierra Colberg, “A Summer Story”
The end of my junior year at UAS was beginning to approach. Weather in Juneau, while as rainy as ever, was starting to reach toward summertime warm...
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Trey Oursler
I was extremely lucky to be chosen as a recipient through The CIRI Foundation to pursue my college education at Sam Houston State University in Hun...
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Vanessa Standard
Dear TCF-
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Vivian Pomeroy
Hi my name is Vivian Pomeroy, I am Inupiaq and Tsimshian from Anchorage, Alaska. I am one of the few Alaska Native students attending Haskell India...
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A Journey To What Matters 2020 Elders Youth Living And Loving Our Cultures Workshop
2020 Elders & Youth: Living & Loving our Cultures WorkshopStory by: Helena Jacobs
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A Journey To What Matters- 35th Annual Elders & Youth Conference – Survival Kit Tool Making
Volunteering for the 2018 Youth and Elders Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, which is hosted by the First Alaskans Institute; was a terrific opportu...
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A Journey To What Matters- Akhiok Kids Camp at Native Village of Akhiok
The camp for the project was located at Cape Alitak with the permission of Akhiok-Kaguyak Inc. All campers/supplies must be transported to the loca...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Alaska Native Design Parkas By Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center In Alaska
For the 2020 pilot of the Alaska Native Cultural Heritage and Artistic Sovereignty in Museums Project, Amelia “Amy” Topkok was selected for the fel...
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A Journey To What Matters Alaska Native Place In The Pandemic
Alaska Native PLACE in the Pandemic
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A Journey to What Matters-Alaska Native PLACE Kec’otl’ Workshop
On November 23rd and 24th students and artists gathered to learn how to make Kec’otl’, a Dene Athabaskan work boot constructed out of smoked moose ...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey to What Matters- Alaska Native PLACE Sewing Workshops
Alaska Native PLACE, which stands for Providing Living Artists Creative Environments, holds a monthly gathering for Alaska Native artists (except d...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Anchorage Museum Virtual Artist Residencies
Anchorage Museum Virtual Artist ResidenciesStory by: Francesca Du Brock
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A Journey To What Matters Ancient Whistle Virtually Bringing Us Together
Ancient Whistle Virtually Bringing Us Together
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ArtShops 2016 Ancient Alutiiq Cell Phones
The ArtShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2016 Grass Sewers of Naknek
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2017 Alumni Room
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ArtShops 2017 Chilkat Weaving
The ArtShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ArtShops 2017 Kokhanok Grass Basket Class
The ArtShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership– ArtShops 2017 Objects of Research
The ArtShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2018 Fish Wheel to Fish Skins
One of the main things that I loved about this project was that it took place at home with the people I know and love. We worked together in the co...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2018 Lake Iliamna Traditional Seal Parka
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2018 Utqiagvik Bleached Seal Skin
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2019 Experimental Qaspeq Construction
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2019 Inupiaq Kammak Making Workshop
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2019 Kamipiaq Hard Bottom Crimping Class
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2019 Unangan Fishskin Boot Workshop
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2020 Bentwood Box Making Class
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2020 Braiding Beach Grass
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2020 Tlingit Jewelry Making Virtually
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2020 Traditional And Contemporary Skin Sewing With Marine Mammals
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2021 Ciivalek Kameksak
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2021 Golga Oscar In Tununak Yupik Regalia
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2021 Sonta Hamilton Roach In Shageluk Deg Hitan Carving Traditions
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2022 Nikki Corbett Qaspeq Sewing Workshop In Nome
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Artshops 2022 Tsimshian Panel Making In Metlakatla With William Bolton
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Graduate Artshops 2020
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Graduate Artshops 2021
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Graduate Artshops 2021 Cauyaq Making
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Native Heritage Center and The CIRI Foundation’s A...
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A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Graduate Artshops 2021 Hide Work In Continuous Community
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Native Heritage Center and The CIRI Foundation’s A...
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Heritage Project Grant
A Journey To What Matters and Heritage Project Grant- Culture in the Classrooms
Dustin Newman & Tatiana Petticrew
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Journey to What Matters
Artist in Residency at Anchorage Museum:
During my month in residency with the Anchorage Museum I chose to work on one specific lino carving. It was interesting for me to have to slow down...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Baby Chilkat Robe Mentor Apprenticeship By Sydney Akagi
In the fall of 2021 I began weaving a baby Chilkat robe as an apprentice under weaving mentor, Lily Hope. This would be a significant and crucial n...
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2016 Constructing Traditional Kayaks
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Cultural Traditions Workshops
Reclaiming cultural heritage is part of the solution to the ills adversely affecting the well being of Alaska Native people. By reconnecting with t...
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Culture Box: Art Kits for Youth
In the midst of a world pandemic, the world we knew then came to a halt and the impact was devastating to the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC)....
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A Journey To What Matters Exploring Alaska Native Gut Exhibition Collections And Artistic Development
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Exploring Alaska Native Gut Exhibition Collections And Artistic Development 2
The CIRI Foundation funding recently brought together artist Sonya Kelliher-Combs (Iñupiaq/Athabascan) and Alaska State Museum (ASM) staff to begin...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Exploring Native Textile History Project
The Alaska State Museum is preparing a large exhibit exploring the history of textiles developed over the past two centuries by Alaska Natives and ...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Fish Skin Fashion Workshop
Special project funded in part by A Journey to What Matters program.Dates: Anchorage 17th July- 18th July 2019
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Haa Too Yei Yatee: It Is Inside of Us
We are on a Journey to What Matters. This journey is to empower our students, our future leaders; to engage and connect our community; to strengthe...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Haida Regalia Making
Our project was making Haida regalia in the Hydaburg School (Hydaburg City School District) in grades K-12 as well as the Kasaan School, (part of S...
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A Journey To What Matters Hnaa Tsesi Workshop And Gathering Project
The Hnaa tsesi Workshop and Gathering brought 22 Elders and youth from the Ahtna villages of Gulkana, Tazlina and Copper Center together for storyt...
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A Journey to What Matters- Hoonah City Schools Dancing with Our Ancestors Project
During the Dancing with our Ancestors project students were blessed with the opportunity to connect with their culture in ways that included severa...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey to What Matters- Kasaan Community Carving Program
In the small village of Kasaan, Alaska is a carving shed nestled among trees and wildlife. The carving shed in Kasaan is more than a space to carve...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Learning From Our Elders
There were 14 students lined up and ready to go on the first day of the Nasqurrun (headdress) sewing class at the UAF Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel. T...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Lingit Shame Robe
Jennifer Younger, a contemporary Lingít artist, and Carol Hughey, a classically trained apparel designer, teamed up in the Mentorship program to cr...
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A Journey To What Matters Litnaurluni Program Tengautuli Atkuk The Flying Parka
Thanks to The CIRI Foundation’s support, Ann Fienup-Riordan, Alice Rearden, and Marie Meade have been working with Calista Education and Culture an...
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A Journey To What Matters Museum Sovereignty Fellowship
In the fall of 2021 I was a fellow at the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. During my fellowship I worked with Dawn Biddison, a museum specialist....
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Na Ganiyaatgm, Na Lagm (Our Ancestors, Our Fire)
The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) hosted the 35th Annual Elders & Youth Conference in Anchorage October 14-17, 2018. One of the conference highlig...
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A Journey To What Matters Native Artist Explores Identity And Lost History
I’m Alexis Sallee, host and producer of INDIGEFI, a weekly one-hour public radio show featuring an eclectic blend of modern Indigenous music. Aside...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Nutaqiq: A Circumpolar Art Show and Workshop
Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska contracted me to organize and executed Nutaqtiq: A Circumpolar Inuit Art Show and Workshop during the ICC General ...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Old Harbor’s A Time to Dance Again
‘A Time to Dance, Again’ is a program that was developed by the Old Harbor Alliance, our local non-profit, through a grant with the CIRI Foundation...
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A Journey To What Matters- Painting A Vision of Alaska’s Youth
Over the course of the last six months, youth of Covenant House Alaska were awarded the valuable opportunity to experience Alaska Native Culture an...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Parka Project By Bobbie Itta
For the past 5 years, my mentee and I talked about doing a parka project. My mentee Bonnie was from Nome, and she never learned to make a parka fro...
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A Journey To What Matters Parka Project By Bonnie Scheele
I am the recipient of mentorship funds to learn how to create a parka. Bobby Itta and I applied for the mentorship program through Bunnell Street A...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Participating In The Indigefi Native Artist Podcast Series
My experience interviewing with Producer Alexis Sallee (TCF Recipient) for the INDIGEFI “Native Artist” podcast series was great.
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Polar Lab Collective Program
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
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A Journey To What Matters Prenatal Beaded Earring Workshop
Grantee: Alaska Native Birthworkers Community, Story by Helena Jacobs
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A Journey To What Matters- Prince William Sound Spruce Root Revival Project
We are from Cordova and belong to the Native Village of Eyak. Historically, we used to weave with spruce roots, but throughout the years, that skil...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Alaska Native Art Classes
The Qutekcak Native Tribe received funds from The CIRI Foundation through a “Journey To What Matters” project grant. The tribe used the funds to ho...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Alaska Yuut Arts- Dolls Workshop
For many generations, little Yup’ik girls were provided with ‘cloth’ dolls – entire families consisting of dad, mom, big brother, big sister and ba...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- ANCCS Culture Week 2017
The Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (ANCCS) would like to send a huge Quyana to TCF for their continued support and dedication to the success...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Angyaaq Construction at Akhiok Kids Camp
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant Application
The Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Art & Culture Grant was made possible with generous support from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthr...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Bringing Haida Canoes Back
The Organized Village of Kasaan was able to complete a traditional 18-foot hand carved wooden dugout Haida canoe. In the process of carving the can...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- First Light at Mt. Edgecumbe
It was an honor and a pleasure for me to participate in the Mount Edgecumbe classes this spring. Not only was I allowed to share some of what I hav...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Ilanka Cultural Arts
Our village was able to receive a grant from The CIRI Foundation in 2016 to study our local masks and work on making our own stained glass mask, a ...
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A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Material Traditions: Cedar Residency
As a conservator from the National Museum of the American Indian – one of the loaning institutions to the Anchorage Museum’s Arctic Studies Center ...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Material Traditions: Ivory Residency
My name is Mary Johns, I am Ahtna, Athabascan and I am of the Water Clan. This residency brought new light to my understanding of Alaska Native art...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Material Traditions: Sewing Gut
No, I am not performing surgeries at the hospital and stitching up guts. I am embracing this wonderful place I am living and experiencing some of t...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Material Traditions: Sewing Gut Photos
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Traditional Alutiiq Skin Sewing and Beading Education
The Native Village of Afognak (NVA) was awarded A Journey To What Matters grant from the CIRI Foundation. NVA used the funding at our Dig Afognak Y...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Twining Cedar
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Project Grant- Wrangell’s Journey to Revive the Culture
ANSA was the recipient of A Journey to What Matters in 2015. Cultural classes were rarely held in Wrangell and the base of this grant was to provid...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Protection Adaptation And Resistance Workshops In Customary Arts
A Journey to What Matters Grantee: Bunnell Street Arts Center, Story by Asia Freeman
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Re-emerging Culture in Wrangell II
ANSA co-sponsored a two-day paddle making class with the One Canoe Society and Sealaska Heritage Institute in Wrangell. The local school district p...
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A Journey To What Matters Revitalizing Cottage Industry And Intergenerational Work In Rural Alaska To Strengthen Community Self Reliance And The Northwest Coast Weaving Traditions
Revitalizing Cottage Industry and Intergenerational Work in Rural Alaska to Strengthen Community, Self-Reliance, and the Northwest Coast Weaving Tr...
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A Journey to What Matters- Sitka Fine Arts Camp Culture Classes Phase 2
Community Cultural Classes, Phase 2 was a successful program hosted by the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and made possible through The CIRI Foundation. Our...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Sivuqam Kelugwi: A St. Lawrence Island Traditional Sewing Curriculum
Skills such as skin sewing were essential to the survival of our ancestors. In the past, these traditions were passed down from generation to gener...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Soapstone Carving Using Denaakke Inupiaq
My partner Marjorie Kunaq Tahbone and I cohosted a 90 minute workshop on carving soapstone with Elders and Youth Participants in October 2019.
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A Journey To What Matters Sugpiaq Shield War Club Class
Eight students, ranging in age from 16 to 74, made a traditional Sugpiaq-styled folding shield and war club throughout this two-week long class at ...
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A Journey to What Matters- Tanana Chief Conference Cultural Programs
There was a time when families in Koyukuk made a living trapping, skinning and selling wolf, beaver, marten, and muskrat hides. According to tribal...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Tlingit Cedar Woven Hat Class
After receiving the honor of this grant, the Native Village of Eyak (NVE) in Cordova, Alaska proudly offered Ilanka Cultural Center (ICC) members t...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Traditional Material Arts at Elders and Youth
I, along with my four children between the ages of 2 and 13 and my husband, attended the Athabascan beadwork and red and yellow cedar weaving works...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Traditional Yupik Fish Skin Hood
Marlene Nielsen taught her mentee Ilgavak (Peter Williams) how to make a traditional Yup’ik fish skin hood from salmon and halibut skins harvested ...
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A Journey To What Matters Unangax Regalia Making Workshop In Akutan
Unangax̂ Regalia Making Workshop in Akutan
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Watercraft Educational And Research Project
I was fortunate to be involved in the Indigenous Watercraft educational and research project University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North (UA...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Weaving A Yupik Issran
Project: Weaving a Yup’ik IssranGrantee: Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center AlaskaStory by: Dawn Biddison
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters Wellness And Healing Through Our Culture And Connections
The Drum Making Workshop was amazing. It was a great way to bring people together over a difficult issue and to uplift one another and promote heal...
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A Journey To What Matters- Yakutat Tlingit Tribe House Front Project
In 2017 the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe was awarded a Journey to What Matters grant to create a formline-style house front at the site of the tribe’s cul...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey to What Matters- Youth, Elder, Active Hunter and Gatherer – Food Sovereignty and Self Governance
On February 25th and 26th, 2019, Inuit from across Alaska and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) came together in Bethel, Alaska to explore Inu...
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Journey to What Matters
A Journey To What Matters- Yup’ik Culture Fest Workshops 2018
The Yup’ik Culture Fest Workshops in Quinhagak took place August 6-11, run by the Nunalleq Culture and Archaeology Center. For the past week, we ha...
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TCF Project Grant
Alaska Native Writing Fellow at First Alaskans Institute
“The First Alaskans Alaska Native Writing Fellowship allowed me to explore, learn, and dive deep into all of the cultural and environmental work in...
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Education Project Grant
Education Project Grant – Alaska Afterschool Conference 2017
The Alaska Afterschool Conference is the largest gathering of out-of-school time professionals and volunteers in the state. This year’s conference ...
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Education Project Grant
Education Project Grant Alaska Native Birthworkers Community Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula Training
The Alaska Native Birthworkers Community (ANBC) contracted with Melissa Brown (Anishinaabe-Dine midwife) and Candace Neumann (Indigenous doula) of ...
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Education Project Grant- Color of Justice 2019
The Color of Justice program was a great opportunity to learn about the justice field. I got the opportunity to learn about laws and statutes in th...
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Education Project Grant Color Of Justice During A Pandemic
The Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC) hosted a two day Color of Justice program with support from The CIRI Foundation and in partnership with the...
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Education Project Grant Early Language Literacy For Alaska Native Children
Grantee: Best Beginnings, Story by Amie Collins
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Education Project Grant- Early Language & Literacy for Alaska Native Children in Anchorage
Kindergarten readiness starts with reading. Research shows that children who have access to book and are read to from birth will have greater acade...
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Education Project Grant
Education Project Grant – “Latseen” – Strength
The CIRI Foundation generously funded a project for Cook Inlet Native Head Start parents with the goal of better preparing our children for academi...
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TCF Project Grant
Fellowship 2023
The Alaska office of Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center is seeking applications from Alaska Natives for a Research Fellowship. The fellowship will p...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- 2017 NYO Games Alaska
NYO Games celebrates the rich tradition of Alaska Native people, while providing a forum for our youth to achieve their personal best through healt...
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Heritage Project Grant 2019 Native Youth Olympics
CITC is deeply grateful for The CIRI Foundation’s continued support of the Native Youth Olympic Games. NYO is a celebration of traditional athletic...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant – ALAXSXA | ALASKA
ALAXSXA | ALASKA (AA) wove puppetry, video installations, recorded interviews, and yuraq (Alaska Native Yup’ik drum and dance) in a collage of stri...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Chickaloonies Intergenerational Creativity And Learning Through Indigenous Comic Art
I’m a third generation storyteller from the Ahtna-Athabascan village of Chickaloon. Growing up, my Grandmother told us the Ya Ne Da Ah stories of o...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Coloring Alutiiq in Ouzinkie
On a rainy, windy day in September, the children at Ouzinkie School had some special visitors. Alutiiq artist Hanna Sholl and three members of the ...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Connecting The Rivr With Alaska Native Youth
It is so important we keep doing what we are doing, producing The RIVR (Rising Indigenous Voices Radio) at therivr.net for the next generation. A c...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Covenant House Alaska’s Culture and Youth Engagement Project
Culture and Youth Engagement Project – A Partnership between the CIRI Foundation and Covenant House Alaska
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Culture and Youth Engagement Project
Covenant House Alaska (CHA) operates numerous programs for youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 13-24 located in Anchorage, Alaska. ...
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Heritage Project Grant- Elders and Youth: Sharing Our Past
The Ninilchik Village Tribe has actively been working on preserving our culture and traditions that seem to have been lost or forgotten along the w...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Honoring Place
Artist Danielle Larsen is a contemporary illustrator and painter with Unangan Aleut, Koyukaon Athabascan, Inupiaq, and European ancestry. She is a ...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Interviewing Indigenous Artists In Their Natural Element
I was one of the podcast producers for “Native Artist,” a project of Koahnic Broadcast Corporation’s Indigefi. I was responsible for producing the ...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Knbas Coverage Of Alaska Federation Of Natives Convention 2019
The CIRI Foundation made a Heritage Project grant of $20,000 to Koahnic Broadcast Corporation to support KNBA’s annual broadcast coverage of the Al...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Live Radio Amid The Pandemic
I’ve been traveling to Alaska for more than a decade to help produce and host radio programs during KNBA’s annual gavel-to-gavel broadcast of the A...
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Heritage Project Grant Live Radio Amid The Pandemic 2021
I’ve been a part of the KNBA and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation’s broadcast coverage of the annual Alaska Federation of Natives convention for four ...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Nudnelyahi Qudulyi Dena’ina Plants as Food and Medicine Conference
It is hard to know where to start; the participation fee in this program was well worth every penny. From the arrangements on the tables to the cat...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant Production Of The Storyteller
Grantee: Koahnic Broadcast CorporationStory by John Sallee (TCF Recipient)
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Heritage Project Grant- Professional Production and Development for Alaska Native Playwrights
This was what I told a group of students in the International Club at East High School. This room was filled with kids from all across the globe. I...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Radio Series “Definition of Resilience” from INDIGEFI
This last year, I was fortunate enough to work on a project that has given me the opportunity to continue to understand healing through music in Na...
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Heritage Project Grant- Radio Series on “50 Years: Reflect, Refresh, Renew” at the 2016 AFN Convention
I had the opportunity to participate in a Koahnic Broadcast Corporation project that was funded by a Heritage Project Grant from The CIRI Foundatio...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Radio Series on “50 Years: Reflect, Refresh, Renew” at the 2016 AFN Convention Photos
These images show the AFN broadcasts and the “Youth Media Makers” sessions from the Elders and Youth Conference.
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant- Radio Series on “Strength in Unity: Leadership – Partnership – Social Justice” at the 2017 AFN Convention
My name is Bob Petersen and I am the Network Manager for Native Voice One. NV1 is owned by Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and we received funding fr...
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Heritage Project Grant
Heritage Project Grant – WE UP: Indigenous Hip-Hop of the Circumpolar North
WE UP: Indigenous Hip-Hop of the Circumpolar North is a feature-length documentary film produced by the Anchorage Museum. It profiles the rising st...
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TCF Project Grant
Investigating The Life And Work Of Siberian Yupik Artist Florence Napaaq Malewotkuk
Yup’ik artist Amber Webb is working as a Museum Sovereignty Curatorial Fellow with the Anchorage Museum on a project investigating the life and wor...
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Journey to What Matters
Jwm Ak Native Place Feb 2024
Hide Toolmaking with Tom Huntington
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Journey to What Matters
Alaska Pacific University
During the course of this grant project a total of seven emerging Alaska Native artists were selected to have an opportunity to develop professiona...
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Jwm Grass Weaving
The CIRI Foundation is excited to announce our latest endeavor within the “A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Art & Culture” grant ...
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Journey to What Matters
Deniigi c’ezes c’et nadenThe Place We Return to for Moose Hide
The purpose of the project was to begin the process of rebuilding our knowledge systems of traditionally tanning moose hides through collaboration ...
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Journey to What Matters
Protection: Adaptation & Resistance
Protection: Adaptation & Resistance is a visual art exhibition produced by Bunnell Street Arts Center, touring from Homer (2022) to Anchorage (2022...
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Journey to What Matters
Jwm Salmon Culture
The exhibition project, Salmon Culture, was developed at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska with an Alaska Native curatorial team including Anna Hoo...
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Journey to What Matters
Jwm Yupik Arts Workshop
The SouthWest Alaska Arts Group was happy to have hosted a series of four Native Arts workshops in Bethel funded by The CIRI Foundation.
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TCF Project Grant
Museums Ak Ak Native Heritage Ctr
To say that I am grateful is an understatement. I feel very fortunate to have been able to see a portion of the amazing Yup’ik collection of handma...
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TCF Project Grant
Museums Ak Visit Ak State Museum
It was great to visit the Alaska State Museum in Juneau this June and July. While there, I was able to visit the exhibition Visceral: Verity, Legac...
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TCF Project Grant
Museums Alaska Alaska State Museum Visit
My name is Sarah Knudson. I am Gwich’in, Athabascan from Fort Yukon, Alaska. As a young girl, I was taught how to sew beads by my grandmother. My w...
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Museums Alaska Anchorage Museum
The Access to Alaska Native Collections grant allowed me to peruse the Yup’ik archive collections at the Anchorage Museum. This opportunity opened ...
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TCF Alum
Darla Rivera
Darla Rivera’s journey reflects a truth shared across the TCF community: strength grows from family, culture, and the willingness to make the most ...
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TCF Alum
Dylan Boston
This story launches TCF Proud, a new series from The CIRI Foundation spotlighting recipients who are building their futures and strengthening our c...
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TCF Alum
Emily Magara
Emily’s story shows what becomes possible when determination meets family support. Her journey reflects steady strength found across the TCF commun...
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TCF Alum
Larry Hawkins
Some paths take time to come into focus. For Larry Hawkins, the direction was always there. He just had to find his way back to it.
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TCF Alum
Madison Perkins
Madison’s story shows students what becomes possible when you stay connected to your heritage, lean on your support system, and keep moving forward...
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TCF Project Grant
Traditional Tattoo Revival in Eyak (Cordova)
Inupiaq artist and traditional tattoo revitalizer, Holly Nordlum, and her son and apprentice, Trevor Forrester, traveled to Cordova to offer tattoo...
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