Every year the Northern Center commissions artwork by an Alaskan artist that reflects the spirit of our work and shapes ourtheme for the year. This year’s piece is an intricately-beaded dreamcatcher made by Danielle Stickman, titled Ełnena ada, which means “care for the land” in the Dena’ina Athabascan language. The abstract image is a dog team running toward a sunrise in a snowy boreal forest. In an article she wrote about the piece, Danielle remembers her grandmother Gladys Evanoff telling stories of how łik’aqa (dogs) and humans traveled a long time ago. Danielle writes, “I can hear her speaking in Dena’ina fluently, about how people would sometimes have to walk in snowshoes in deep snow to break trail for the łik’aqa. The łik’aqa would have a łik’a hał yesa (skin dog pack) which was made from caribou legs and was waterproof.” Danielle used this image to invoke respect for the land, animals, waters, and each other.
Reflecting on this piece, I think of Northern Center’s members as part of a larger family—a community of organizations that are all pulling together toward a brighter future. In our role as watchers and listeners, we draw together resources to feed the movement so we can move together towards a future that is better for us all, knowing collectively, we’ll find the way.
After the Bureau of Land Management denied the permit for the proposed Ambler Road this summer, the Northern Center co-hosted a celebration with the Tanana Chiefs Conference, Native Movement, and the National Parks Conservation Association. We are grateful for the leadership of Indigenous activists throughout the region, and stay committed to defending the Brooks Range because there is more work to be done. We invite you to strengthen your impact through a fall contribution. It’s the support from individuals like you that enables us to defend the land, wildlife, and communities that call the North home.
Our dream for the globally important wildlands in Alaska is one where they remain biologically diverse and productive, with abundant fish and wildlife that support vigorous subsistence traditions, and an extraordinary, increasingly sustainable quality of life for Alaskans. We know you share this dream as contributors to this organization. Thank you for considering a financial gift that enables this dream to become a reality.
Elisabeth Balster Dabney
Executive Director
Christin Swearingen
Manager of Donor Joy
P.S. Many of our supporters give from Donor Advised Funds, make Qualified Charitable Distributions, or give stock, all of which are more “tax-smart” than giving cash. Your financial advisor can provide guidance on the best way to support our mission in a manner that also benefits you.
There are also other ways to show support besides giving money—consider volunteering, making a gift of non-cash assets, or taking action on current issues. Right now you can contact your legislators to ask them to remove Sen. Dan Sullivan’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would force approval of Ambler Road. Contact Christin Swearingen at christin@northern.org if you have any questions. Thank you!
