A longtime Alaska Native corporate leader, Marie Greene, was named the winner of the top award at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention Friday – citizen of the year.
And Alice Rogoff, an Alaska Native arts advocate and owner of Alaska Dispatch News, won the organization's other big prize, the Denali Award given annually to a non-Native.
"Much of this recognition really covers years of work. It's not for one particular thing. It's not a popularity contest," AFN president Julie Kitka told the convention.
The AFN board decided Tuesday who should receive the two highest awards, which top a long list of AFN awards that recognize elders, parents and youths as well as achievements in health care, education and many other areas.
Marie "Kasannaaluk" Greene is president and chief executive of NANA Regional Corp., which serves the Kotzebue region.
Greene, an AFN board member, "brings a wealth of cultural insight and many years of senior level leadership experience," Kitka said. She works to improve the quality of life for shareholders, tribal members and the region, Kitka said. Greene serves on a number of state and regional organizations including the advisory committee for Wells Fargo Bank.
Greene, who is from Deering, the smallest village in her region, was surrounded on stage by a crowd of family and friends. She said she was humbled.
"I've been blessed with mentors throughout my life," she said.
The Denali award went to Rogoff, who first came to Alaska in 2002 and this year bought the Anchorage Daily News and combined it with the news website she already owned, Alaska Dispatch, to create Alaska Dispatch News.
Gail Schubert, president of Bering Straits Native Corp., which serves the Nome region, told the AFN convention that Rogoff's commitment to Alaska Native arts is remarkable.
"Alice really believes that Alaska Native art can be used to create economic development opportunities in rural Alaska," Schubert said.
And Alaska Dispatch News is increasing coverage of Native issues, Schubert noted.
"You have been the teachers in my life," Rogoff said. "If I can hope to accomplish one more thing, it's that those of us who live in Anchorage ... can have more exposure to what it is that has made your life so rich, so special, so full of knowledge."
In additional to the AFN awards, Gov. Sean Parnell this week presented Gloria O'Neill, president of Cook Inlet Tribal Council, with the Shirley Demientieff Award. It's given by the governor each year at AFN to recognize advocacy on behalf of Alaska Native women and children, according to the governor's office. The Anchorage-based tribal council runs social service programs for the Cook Inlet region and O'Neill also serves in many other roles, including on the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
Other awards
The other AFN awards were revealed earlier and are scheduled to be presented Saturday afternoon. Here they are, as described by AFN:
• Ruthann and John Elia Sr. of St. Mary's, parents of the year. They've been married 60 years, have six children and, so far, 16 grandchildren with just as many great-grandchildren. They are subsistence users, are always on the go, and harvest food as a family. They tell stories and give advice. John plays in a fiddle band. Ruthann sews kuspuks, mukluks and parkas.
• Wassillie and Lena Kapotak of Dillingham, elders of the year. In their 80s, they still hunt and fish and teach younger generations those skills.
• Aaron Leggett, culture bearer award for strong involvement in the arts. He is special exhibits curator at the Anchorage Museum of Natural History and Art and his work led to the opening of the first major exhibit on Dena'ina Athabascan people.
• Rita Buck of White Mountain, Della Keats "healing hands" award for her work in the health aid program. She advocates for those dealing with abuse, trauma and overwhelming health problems in rural communities.
• Janet Johnson of Kotlik, Eileen Panigeo MacLean education award, for her long work as lead and master teacher in the village.
• Sarah Nelson of Port Lions and longtime health worker, health award, for commitment and sensitivity that includes tending to health needs even when she's not on call.
• Karmen Schaeffer Monigold of Kotzebue, Katie John hunter-fisher award. She learned from her grandparents and passes her knowledge to her four sons, who have harvested their first caribou and seals.
• Trinity Standifer, from Tyonek and now a student at Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas, Lu Young youth leadership award, given to a young woman for leadership qualities. She coaches and participates in Native Youth Olympics and works to provide activities for young children who otherwise would have nothing to do.
• Gerald Patsy of Nulato, Roger Lang youth leadership award recognizing a young man with leadership qualities. He served on the Yukon-Kuskokwim School District student council and is a youth representative to the Tanana Chiefs Conference executive board. He's advocated for suicide prevention. He's a sophomore at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
• State Sen. Donny Olson of Golovin, public service award, for among other things work to ban dangerous synthetic drugs, revitalize the village public safety officer program and preserve Native languages.
• Eleanor King of Kodiak and owner of King's Diner, small business award for improving opportunities for Alaska Natives.
• Darrell Hildebrand, a wildlife trooper who grew up in Nulato, Glenn Godfrey law enforcement award. He's done the "Ride for Life" four years running to promote suicide prevention.
• Frank O. Williams, born in Glacier Bay and now retired in Oregon, Dr. Walter Soboleff "Warriors of Light" award for someone who uplifts and unifies Native people.
• Sarah Scanlan, raised in Kotzebue, Hannah Paul Solomon "Woman of Courage" award. She has worked to close the equity gap between urban and rural communities and is a noted mentor and volunteer.
• Benno Harry Cleveland, who went to high school in Fairbanks, Gin'tith military service award. Cleveland, a Vietnam combat veteran who was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart, is president of the Alaska Native Veterans Association.