The Alaska Federation of Natives handed out 15 President's Awards toward the end of its three-day convention on Saturday, honoring everyday people making a difference in their communities as part of the event's "Heroes in our Homeland" theme.
Among the winners are a teen who organized a food drive after a village store burned, a young woman who survived cancer to become a doctor and help others, and a woman who became an inspiration after she received a college degree and got a driver's license late in life.
Agga Chloe Naylor of Kotzebue was a high school teen when she took action late last year after the store in Kivalina burned, and she sat with her father talking about ways she could help.
They came up with a food drive, and she rallied students in Kotzebue and helped launch a drive to collect canned food and other items.
"We wanted to help," said Naylor, now a 19-year-old studying political science at the University of Alaska Southeast.
For that effort, as well as leading talking circles at conferences to help other young people feel comfortable speaking, Naylor won the Lu Young Youth Leadership award.
Dr. Nora Nagaruk Aiyuu, who is from Nome, won the Della Keats "Healing Hands" award after overcoming acute leukemia to become a doctor and return to serve her people.
"That's the toughest thing I've ever had to go through in my life," she said of her battle with cancer.
She credits eating traditional foods for helping with her recovery. She went on to help create the "Traditional Food Guide for Alaska Native Cancer Survivors." She now provides medical services and health education at the Nome Youth Facility.
Then there's Suuyuk Lena Hanna of Kotzebue, who was named Elder of the Year at age 74.
After retiring from a career at the Maniilaq Association, she went back to college and lived on campus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She received an associate degree in Inupiaq studies, and was named student of the year at her graduation for inspiring others.
And, when she was 70, she got her driver's license. Now, she does a lot of driving around in the northwest community of 3,100.
"On my four-wheeler," she said, laughing.
Michael Swetzof won the Culture Bearer Award for helping to revive traditional dancing from the Aleutians region. Years ago he took steps that led to the creation of the popular Atka Dancers group, which in turn taught dance to other groups in the region.
"It was because of Michael's dreams and efforts that the Atka Dancers began and consequently awakened a nearly lost tradition of dance" said AFN Board member Sheri Buretta.
Dr. Barb "Qasuglana" Amarok of Nome received the Eileen Panigeo MacLean Education award for helping improve educational opportunities for Alaska Natives.
Amarok earned a doctoral degree in indigenous education and teaches Alaska Native Social Change at UAF Northwest Campus.
According to AFN, she worked with governmental organizations to create courses in the Bering Strait Region on topics such as "digital documentation of cultural knowledge, Alaska Native languages, grass basket making, tribal development."
Wanda Jean Solomon, wearing her Air National Guard uniform, accepted the Gin'tith (Richard Frank) Military Service award. Solomon, originally from Kaltag and now living in Anchorage, served two tours in Afghanistan for "Operation Enduring Freedom."
"She is working to develop ways to better serve veterans returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder and re-engage in society," AFN said in a biography. "She volunteers with an outreach team, traveling to villages throughout the state in order to promote training and job opportunities for Alaska Natives with the Air National Guard."
Putumiu Brent James Norton of Selawik won the Glenn Godfrey Law Enforcement award after "demonstrating extraordinary courage" after a shooting in the village.
But his brothers, Adrian and Curtis, already know that he is a hero every day, said Stephanie Anderson, an AFN board member.
"Since their mother passed from cancer, he has been raising his two younger brothers with the help of his grandmother, Emma Norton. He works as an on-call police officer to support his siblings," she said.
Carole Huntington of Galena won the Hannah Paul Solomon "Woman of Courage" award for helping manage Kokrine Hills Bible Camp on the Yukon River for 27 years with her husband Roger Galena.
She asked AFN delegates to make sure they reached out if they ever saw another Native person struggling. "Please just give them a hug and say hello," she said.
Dr. Elise Pletnikoff of Kodiak won the Health award after becoming a doctor and returning to practice in Kodiak.
"Dr. Pletnikoff provides broad-spectrum family medicine care. She is active in the community serving on a number of committees to ensure the quality of care in Kodiak is at or above the standard of care," an AFN biography said.
Other winners:
Clarence Wood of Ambler won the Katie John Hunter-Fisher award, for delivering what he catches to those in need.
Andy Teuber of Kodiak and president of ANTHC was presented the award for Public Service
Louise and Lee Kadinger of Douglas were named Parents of the Year in part for providing foster care for 10 children over the years.
Byron Nicolai of Toksook Bay won the Roger Lang Youth Leadership award, for promoting his culture through singing traditional songs.
Kristi Skaflestad of Hoonah won the small business award after graduating from a culinary institute in Oregon and opening a seafood restaurant in Hoonah with help from local entities and people.
The last winner, but definitely not the least, in the words of AFN board member Georgianna Lincoln, was Phillip Albert Jr. of Fairbanks, who won the Dr. Walter Soboleff "Warrior of Light" award.
Albert, raised in Kokrines and Ruby, had a winter accident while trapping when he was young that cost him both his feet and fingers on both hands.
Unable to hunt, trap, or work construction, he went to college and later began working at the Vocational Rehabilitation department at Tanana Chiefs Conference as a counselor where he assists disabled people who want to find work.
Now 63, he told young people in the audience to always support their friends.
"And I would encourage you to shake a veteran's hand, a Native veteran, whenever you see one," he said.