New Board Members Join the Forum STEPHEN QACUNG BLANCHETT ALASKA HUMANITIES FORUM Board members are active change-makers and community leaders, listeners and storytellers, fundraisers and friend-raisers from across the state. We currently have 18 members serving terms of three years on our Board of Directors. This fall, we welcomed five new members.
Juneau Arts and Culture Education Director Juneau Arts and Humanities Council
Stephen Blanchett is perhaps best known as a performance artist with Pamyua, an internationally renowned tribal funk, world music, and Inuit soul music band, but he has also worked in development at both ANHC and First Alaskans Institute, and he is currently the Arts and Culture Education Director at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. Blanchett serves on the boards of the Western Arts Alliance and Visit Anchorage, and as a commissioner on the Sister Cities Commission. With a degree in political science / Alaska Native studies, Blanchett’s passion is cultural inclusion. “I have always viewed my role as a conduit and a connector to help bring people together working towards a common goal. I have a passion for the arts and culture, and have made it my life’s work to help create balance between the traditional Alaska Native ways and the rapidly changing world around us.” What is your “Alaska story”?
I’m from the Y-K Delta and grew up there for the better part of my life. I am Yup’ik from that corner of the world. My father is Black and grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Alaska because of the military. What’s on your reading list right now?
I haven’t been reading too much lately, but I’ve immersed myself in reintroducing myself to Indigenous music that I’ve come across throughout my career and exploring new Indigenous music throughout the world.
KENEGGNARKAYAAGGAQ EMILY EDENSHAW Anchorage Executive Director Alaska Native Heritage Center
Emily Edenshaw is working to complete her Ph.D. thesis on using communitybased research, with a particular interest in addressing trauma and healing. She brings extensive experience in donor stewardship and grantsmanship to her role on the board. “I believe one of my strongest skills is the ability to turn challenges or barriers into a source of strength that we can pull from later. I’m smart, hardworking, honest, and proud to be a strong Alaska Native woman.” What is your “Alaska story”?
I am Yup’ik and Iñupiaq from Emmonak, Alaska. I am the great granddaughter of Axel and Pearlie Johnson, granddaughter of John and Cecilia Sipary, and daughter of John Neeley and Helen Miller. What programming, resources, or opportunities at the Forum are you most excited about in the year ahead?
Development! What’s on your reading list right now? A book, article, podcast that you’ve been looking forward to?
His Hand Upon Me by Katherine Gottlieb. I’m part of an Indigenous authors book club so anything on that reading list. Last month, we read Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger and this month, we are reading Trail of Lightening by Rebecca Roanhorse. What topic/s do you think we should be talking about more in our homes, communities, workplaces in relation to strengthening community?
Alaska Native boarding school experience.
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A L A S K A H U M A N I T I E S F O R U M S P R I N G 2021
