Mission Moment
Western Alaska Disaster Relief Efforts
In October, a devastating storm struck Western Alaska, Typhoon Halong, displacing many families and interrupting many lives. The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) quickly mobilized to provide both cultural support and direct assistance to help our relatives feel a sense of home and belonging during this difficult time. Thanks to the generosity of our statewide community, ANHC has been able to coordinate donations and distributions of traditional foods for those affected by Typhoon Halong, to be used at community gatherings and as quantities allow, to be distributed in Native Food Family Packs.
ANHC's Tiamuna Program Manager Veronica Boerger (Cup'ik) stepped up to lead ANHC's traditional foods collection and distribution efforts, a role she took on as the Tiamuna Program ended. "I am currently helping to coordinate the food donations from the community as well as the distribution of food kits to the people from Western Alaska sheltering in the hotels here in Anchorage," she explained. So far, the majority of recipients are residents of Kipnuk and Kwig, with donations ranging from salmon to moose, deer, walrus, muktuk, caribou, seal, berries, other fish, and even Costco frozen items. The donations are coming from all over the state of Alaska, with some even shipped from Washington DC and Georgia.
She shared,"It has been incredible, and heartwarming, to see all the folks that have stepped up and donated frozen foods, from everyday Alaskans to Native tribes and corporations, commercial fisherman and companies, and communities that did food drives."
When reflecting on the impact, Veronica noted, "The Yup'iks who received the bags were so grateful. There was a gentleman who started clapping when I listed off the items in the bag and also yelled, 'Party!' A woman stated she had been craving the food, as she looked through the bag. Another gentleman, after looking in the bag said, 'Keniiqatartua' (I am going to cook now). A gentleman today who missed the first round of hotel deliveries was so happy that he was receiving two bags because his family were placed in two rooms. He put his hand on his heart and said, 'ircaquqa quyauq' (My heart is happy)."
When asked to share a moment of pride for working on this project, Veronica said, "I’m proud and grateful for all the people who shared their food with the people who lost everything including their food for the winter."
Quyana (thank you, Cupiit) to our community of donors, partners, staff & volunteers for your dedication to healing our statewide community. Special thanks to Dalton Refrigeration and Vulcan Towing & Recovery for their in-kind services, which made this work possible.
If you would like to donate subsistence or frozen foods, please contact [email protected] or (907) 205-0068. Families impacted by Typhoon Halong can also reach out to receive Native Foods Family Packs.
ANHC's mission-driven work is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the traditions, languages, and arts of Alaska’s Native Peoples through statewide collaboration, celebration, and education. You can support these efforts by donating below to help us continue serving our community.
