Kim

I am a direct descendent of the Yupik or Yuh-luch-piat, of Alaska. My family (My Great-Great Grandmother)is said to come from a place called Piamuit "place of trees" which may be near Askinuk mountain which between Hooper and Scammon Bay. My Great Grandmother Bessie Snyder was from Akiachiak, Alaska, and my Great-Grandfather and Grandfather ran a trading post near Eek Alaska at a now deserted settlement called Aphiok. I like the old ways was raised mainly by my Grandmothers, Julia, Elsie and Nev'aq, and my Aunt Tootsie. My native name is Qanviet'aq, I was named after my Great Great Grandmother Quanviet'aq (Old Sally Sallison) who was said to be a very powerful medicine woman. My mom said that Quanviet'aq means "person you can confide in"..My native nickname is Ithb'uq (Ee-Th-Buck) meaning "big eyes. My husband is of Cherokee Heritage. I pride myself on our diverse backgrounds. We are Special Education Advocates, have a deep sense of community and what is right and wrong. We are proud to finally see a Native Charter School established here in Anchorage! A dream come true. Although too late for my kids, others can benefit. What a wonderful way to promote Alaska's indigenous language, culture and community. I have two kids in Germany and two that live with me. I love writing out the stories from my Grandmothers, painting, and had until recently a Native wisdom email where I published many of my Grandmother's stories. I sit on numerous scholarship committees and try to champion equal educational opportunities for all students. I live in two worlds one of my Native Heritage and walk in the diverse culture of modern day Alaska. I balance the two, I learn from both. My teachers in life range from Civil Rights Leaders to Politicians to Folk Heros.I have spent 10 years in Europe,(mainly Germany) my favorite place to visit and live was the South of France, the place I felt most accepted was in Paris. I am a veteran of both the Air Force as well as the Army. I served in peacetime as well as during the Persian Gulf War. I grew up in rural Alaska dreaming to visit places such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York and Australia. The Air Force helped me do just that, I worked for the British Forces Radio or BFBS while in Germany, I taught myself German and translated German into English for the News and Information section. I got to see everything I wanted to. I saw the Mona Lisa in Paris, the canals of Amsterdam, walked the Montparnasse in Paris and loved every minute of it. I take those experiences and combine them where I grew up. My message to anybody reading this, dream - you can do anything you put your mind to, plan and follow through. Just do it. You can go anywhere do anything and survive,what matters is you take that first step. Believe in yourself.Spirit Guide: Raven, my grandfather taught me how to call and pray to Raven. Power source: Mother Earth - water, Power Color: Purple, Praying stone: Quartz (A gift from Montana)