Issue 87 | April 5, 2023

Empowering Alutiiq people to achieve their potential through education.

You're Invited!

Come kruisin' for KEF on May 20, 2023, to celebrate KEF's 30th anniversary of providing scholarship opportunities to Koniag Shareholders and Descendants. Come aboard one of Major Marine Tours' catamarans to bid on exciting silent auction items, have great conversations about KEF's work, and enjoy watching magnificent wildlife. Help KEF raise money to continue empowering Alutiiq people to achieve their potential through education.

Purchase your tickets here!

Vocational Scholarship Increase

Beginning April 1, 2023, KEF Vocational scholarship applicants can now receive up to $5,000 per year.

The KEF Vocational award provides funding for Koniag Shareholders and registered Descendants who are non-degree seeking individuals enrolled in accredited vocational or technical programs and training. Vocational scholarships are merit-based, the amount of the award is dependent on the application score.

Learn more about this scholarship on our Vocational Scholarship page.

A Farewell Message from Lisa Thomsen, KEF Scholarship Manager

In April, I will be stepping down from my position as Scholarship Manager at KEF. The past five years with KEF have been wonderful for me, and I have tremendous pride in having seen so many talented students graduate from their various programs. Working with all of you students has been a privilege; your kindness and appreciation over the years have meant so much to me. Please feel free to reach out to me via Facebook or LinkedIn if you’d like to stay in touch.

I have learned so much from my coworkers and enjoyed a lot of laughter along with the hard work. The team spirit in our small office is strong. I will certainly miss the camaraderie we shared!

The KEF Board has also been a pleasure to work with and collaborate with. They have always been gracious and supportive through the many changes we have gone through. Our Board strongly supports the KEF mission of ‘Empowering Alutiiq people to achieve their potential through education.’

I wish each and all of you the very best, and remember, never stop learning!

Reminders and Upcoming Deadlines

Current Winter Term Students

Please log into your SMA account at https://koniag-education.smapply.org/ and upload your winter term grades as soon as they are finalized so we can get your spring term check out quickly! Don’t forget to hit ‘submit’!

Scholarships Available!

Scholarship funding being replenished on April 1 for Vocational Scholarship and Career Development Grant.

Partner scholarships are open until June 1!

Rhea Mae Knagin Scholarship – For enrolled members of Native Village of Port Lions
Ag'wanermiut Liitut Scholarship – For enrolled members of the Native Village of Afognak
Margaret "Agnguarta" Roberts Memorial Scholarship – For enrolled members of Tangirnaq Native Village/Woody Island Tribal Council

Virtual Scholarship Q & A’s Zoom Sessions

KEF hosts one-hour Zoom sessions monthly to assist students and prospective students with any questions they may have about applying or reapplying for any of KEF's scholarships! Feel free to drop in anytime during the hour. If you would like to schedule a one on one Zoom session with a staff member at any time of the year, please email us at kef@koniageducation.org.

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 4-5PM AKST. Click here to join.
Friday, May 12, 2023, 4-5PM AKST. Click here to join.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 3-4PM AKST. Click here to join.
Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 3-4PM AKST. Click here to join.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023, 3-4PM AKST. Click here to join.

To learn more about scholarships or to start an application, please visit us online today at koniageducation.org or call the office at (907) 562-9093!

Attention Soon to Be Graduates!

In partnership with Koniag, KEF will offer this year’s 2023 college graduates custom-made Alutiiq/Sugpiaq themed stoles that students may wear in addition to their regular cap and gowns. Stoles will be available by the beginning of May.

Requirements:

Graduate must be a registered Koniag Shareholder or Descendant.
Must be a current KEF scholarship recipient to apply.
Must be graduating with an associate, bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree or vocational degree.
Must send KEF a photo of student with stole.

Interested soon-to-be graduates must email KEF@koniageducation.org and provide their full name, mailing address, graduation date, college/institution, and degree/major being received.

Once submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation email, and the stole will be shipped within 3-5 business days following submission. Please allow ample time for shipping and handling.

(Note: The stole in the photo is an example of what the stole may look like and is not the actual stole).

Join Our Team!

Scholarship/Office Manager

KEF is currently accepting applications for the position of Scholarship/Office Manager. Apply today if you are committed to the success of our Koniag Shareholders and Descendants!

This position is open until filled. Please contact Germaine Salmine at gsalmine@koniageducation.org with any questions. Interested applicants must provide a resume, cover letter, and three references.

To learn more or apply, please visit our Application Portal page.

Board Spotlight

Gordon Pullar, Jr.

Early in his education career, Gordon Pullar, Jr. knew he wanted to serve his Alaska Native Corporation, Koniag, and participate in business making decisions. He pursued his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Florida State University. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Rural Development from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Most recently, Pullar completed a Harvard Business School certificate program for Native Americans focused on leading people and investing in building sustainable communities. He chose these fields of study to position himself for a future leadership role.

In 2010, Pullar started his employment with Koniag, and today, he is the Operating Group President of Koniag Government Services. He leads a portfolio of 25-30 government contracts focused on facilities operations and maintenance, legal services, construction, and national security services. One of the most exciting aspects of his job is working with teammates across the country and leading diverse government contracts. Pullar’s commitment to his Alaska Native people is further demonstrated through his board service on Leisnoi, Inc., the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation, Koniag Education Foundation.

Pullar’s passion for serving his community comes from his family’s rich heritage. Pullar was born in Kodiak and grew up in Anchorage. His grandmother, Olga Rossing, was the first Woody Island high school graduate, and his late father, Gordon Pullar Sr., was a former President of Tangirnaq Native Village, Chairman of Koniag Education Foundation, and Pullar’s greatest mentor. Since 2014, Pullar has continued to serve on the Tangirnaq Native Village (aka Woody Island Tribal Council) and was Council President from 2016-2019. Through his hard work, Pullar was awarded the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and the Alaska Journal of Commerce’s Top Forty Under 40 Awards.

In addition to his work, Pullar enjoys a variety of hobbies, including hockey, softball, hunting, and fishing. He offers valuable advice to those pursuing higher education, emphasizing the importance of balancing academics and social life. Pullar advises students that academics are just as important as forming relationships and having a social life, especially through organized sports and other activities. Relationships and emotional intelligence are just as valuable in business as academic education.

Pullar’s journey to success has not been without its challenges. During his undergraduate studies, he struggled to balance school, hockey, and social activities. In graduate school, the biggest challenge was staying awake for class. He was living on the east coast and working, and his classes were over teleconference from Alaska, so his classes often began at 10 pm or 11 pm EST.

Despite these challenges, Pullar has persevered and grown personally and professionally. He strives to continue serving at Koniag into the near future and grow his portfolio of accomplishments while increasing his leadership responsibilities before retirement.

Pullar will be stepping down from the KEF Board of Directors after serving for the past seven years. We are sincerely grateful for Pullar's insight, ideas, dedication, and advocacy for our students during his time on the board.

Quyanaasinaq Gordon!

Outer Coast

Outer Coast students receiving a welcome from Sitka's Kiks.ádi clan.

Outer Coast students doing service work at an Alaska Native Brotherhood cemetery in Sitka.

Outer Coast students and staff in the classroom.

Outer Coast is a unique post-secondary educational institution located on Lingit Aani, or Tlingit land, in Sitka, Alaska. Its programs, for high school and college-aged students, combine college academics, community-oriented service work, and empowering self-governance to create a unique educational environment that allows students to grow as individuals while preparing them to affect virtuous change in their home communities. Outer Coast seeks to provide Alaskan students, particularly Alaska Natives and rural Alaskans, with an opportunity to experience a different form of higher education.

At Outer Coast, students earn college credit through classes that challenge them intellectually, encourage them to express themselves creatively, and help them strengthen their academic abilities. Class sizes are small, ensuring that each student receives focused attention from teachers and support staff, and Outer Coast’s curriculum features a strong focus on indigenous studies. All students take a course in Tlingit language and study the history, culture, and stories of the Tlingit people as well as other Alaska Native groups from around the state. The Outer Coast classroom is a place where indigenous and Western ways of knowing meet in order to help students think critically and carefully about the places and communities where they are from.

Alongside their academic work, students engage in exciting and meaningful service projects in the community of Sitka. Outer Coast partners with local organizations to provide students with opportunities to build strong community bonds, develop hands-on skills, and gain valuable life experiences. During their time at Outer Coast, students might work on maintaining local hiking trails, mentor youth in educational after school programs, or volunteer at Sitka’s public radio station. A spirit of service and a dedication to one’s community are key values that Outer Coast seeks to instill in all of its students.

Unlike most colleges and universities, Outer Coast gives students the freedom and responsibility to shape the program’s present and future. Outer Coast students help admit new students, serve on the program’s Board of Directors, and work alongside program staff to make important decisions. Students also live together in a communal setting and decide as a student body how to share responsibilities and give respect to one another. Outer Coast seeks to empower students to use their voices to take ownership of their education.

All of Outer Coast’s programs are priced with a pay-what-you-can-afford model, meaning that Outer Coast will meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need. Cost will never be a barrier to attendance for any student.

Outer Coast currently runs two programs: the Outer Coast Year for high school graduates and the Summer Seminar for current high school students. Both programs allow students to earn college credit while immersing them in a vibrant and exciting educational environment. In the future, Outer Coast hopes to be a two-year liberal arts college, where students can earn an associate’s degree.

Outer Coast welcomes Koniag shareholders to learn more by visiting www.outercoast.org or emailing yuki@outercoast.org.