Community

Melgenak was born in the 1870s and a lifelong resident of Savonoski, Alaska, until 1912 when a volcano Novarupta, erupted. She saved several of her fellow townspeople by sharing oral traditions that her family passed down – such as overturning boats to prevent ash collection and to collect fresh water before rivers and creeks were tainted.

In 2018, a Bristol Bay artist began to raise awareness of the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. She sewed an enormous qaspeq and drew the faces of Alaska Native women who have gone missing or were murdered. That project has grown into an international call for action.

Sassa Bartman Ruby spent her youth in Manokotak with summers in Igushik where her family were very active in commercial fishing. She continued to subsistence and commercial fish in Igushik for most of her life, and also taught for many years at the Dillingham Elementary School. Sassa was a beloved friend to many and a family member to others.

The Traditional Council of New Stuyahok partnered on a program this spring that connects rural communities with Alaska Native artists. For artist Danielle Larsgaard, art is a way for people to process emotion and address trauma.

Last spring, months before the federal government began steps to change those names, three elementary students wanted to rename a Dillingham creek that uses that slur, as well as a road that bears the creek’s name.

The 64th Beaver Round Up starts on March 23rd. It's the first in-person festival since the pandemic began.

Most people will remember Avery from her time as KDLG’s news director. She's now spending a month back at the station, and looks forward to reporting stories from Bristol Bay again. Welcome back Avery!

Community members can take and donate items at the store. The space is also a way to help those who are experiencing homelessness; people can go there to warm up or use the bathroom.

In rural Alaska, a lot depends on a well-run airport. Donald “Bo” Darden was one of the people who helped Dillingham’s airport function. He died last month at the age of 80. Friends describe him as a man with strong opinions, incredible work ethic and a big heart.

As the omicron variant pushes case counts higher around the state, Russian Orthodox parishioners in Bristol Bay shifted their celebrations of Orthodox…