Author: Angela Gonzalez

The Nellie Moore Alaska Native Journalism Scholarship Fund is now live on the Alaska Community Foundation website. Nellie was a founding board member of the Alaska Native Media Group. Thank you to the committee for making this scholarship happen in memory of the late Nellie Moore.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS FEATURED AT 5^th ANNUAL ALASKA NATIVE BOOK FAIR EVENT

Award-winning Alaska Native authors Velma Wallis and Lily Tuzroyluke will be featured at the 5th Annual Alaska Native Book Fair on April 19, a literary event that brings together published authors, aspiring writers, and Alaskans of all ages to celebrate indigenous storytelling and learn about the world of publishing.

The event will include a panel of Alaska Native authors who have written memoirs, including Wallis (“Raising Ourselves” and “Two Old Women”), Katherine Gottlieb (“His Hand Upon Me”), and Carlton Smith (“Roots Tree Totem”).   In telling their personal stories, these authors hope to inspire others to write the story of their own lives.   Twelve published Alaska Native authors will attend the event and will also be offering their books for sale, including children’s illustrated books, Alaska Native history, autobiographies, and fiction.   

“This is an opportunity for new authors to learn about developing their writing skills and for experienced authors to share their unique perspectives with other writers. It’s also a fun time to purchase some wonderful Alaskan books and chat with the authors, as well as leaders in our Native community,” said Roberta Miljure, Chair of the 2024 Alaska Native Book Fair.  “Storytelling is a part of our Alaska Native culture. It’s a powerful and healing way to keep our indigenous traditions and heritage alive.”

The free event, from 12 to 4pm at the CIRI Building, will also feature raffled door prizes and will be livestreamed over Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/808704001306061/.  The writer’s panel will be from 2-3pm.  Participating authors include: Velma Wallis, Lily Tuzroyluke (“Sivulliq: Ancestor”), Willie Hensley (“Fifty Miles from Tomorrow”), Katherine Gottlieb, Carlton Smith, Ethan Atwater, Barbara Atwater, Bev Sims, Yaari Walker, Phyllis Adams, Maria Williams and Tiny Devlin (represented by Jack and Jackie Devlin). Guests are welcome to bring books for signed autographs.

Alaska Native Book Fair
April 19, 2024
12 – 4pm — Free Admission
CIRI Building: 725 E. Fireweed Lane, First Floor, Anchorage, AK

Sponsored by:  Alaska Center for the Book; Alaska Native Media Group; Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Alaska Pacific University; Atwood Foundation; ASD Indigenous Education; Best Beginnings; CIRI; Talking Circle Media; UAA Native Student Services.

Update: The Alaska Native Book Fair was held on April 19 with the following authors who joined us.

• Velma Wallis: Three Old Women; Raising Ourselves
• Katherine Gottlieb:  His Hands Upon Me: The True Story of an Alaska Native and Her Fight to End Abuse
• Tiny Devlin, represented by Jack and Jackie Devlin:  Tiny’s Stories: An Athabascan Family on the Yukon River
• Barbara and Ethan Atwater, children’s books:  Walter’s Story How the Owl Got its Crooked Beak 
• Bev Sims; older audience, Our Forefathers of Southwest Alaska
• Yaari Walker
• Phyllis Adams, children’s books  The Gingerbread Moose, Alaska Boots for Chelsea
• Willie Hensley, high school age, Fifty Miles from Tomorrow 
• Maria Williams.  1 to 4 pm
• Lily Tuzroyluke, Sivulliq
• Carlton Smith