Issue 81 | October 7, 2022

Empowering Alutiiq people to achieve their potential through education.

Student Spotlight

Kainu'u Gavin

Hello, my name is Kainu'u Gavin. I am currently studying at Endicott College, pursuing a degree in Sport Management with minors in Esport Management and Philosophy. I recently had the opportunity to study abroad in the great country of Ireland this past spring semester.

During my five months abroad, I stayed in Cork City in County Cork, Ireland. My location within the city allowed me to enjoy the many wonders Cork City had to offer. Whether it be from attending local sporting events, excellent restaurants, and art galleries, it helped me better understand the culture and atmosphere of living in Ireland. It allowed me to interact with some new friends from the university I was attending, Munster Technological University (MTU), and develop long-lasting friendships.

Public transportation was a significant element because it helped me get to MTU and visit some other Irish cities, such as Dublin, Limerick, and other European communities. I chose to travel to England during my spring break and had a memorable time I will never forget. I hope to be able to study abroad again in the future, possibly conducting my semester internship with The Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (Cork GAA) or The Cork City Football Club (Cork City FC).

To anyone interested in or on the edge of wanting to study abroad, now is your chance to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Studying abroad has had a long-lasting impact on my understanding of the world and myself. You will also be able to learn about new cultures and make some lifelong friends down the road. Hopefully, you take this into consideration. Please let me know if you have any questions, as I would be happy to answer them.

Until next time,

Kainu'u Gavin

Spring Only Deadline Reminder

There is still time to apply for the Spring Only Scholarship! KEF’s Spring scholarship is open and closes on Halloween, October 31, 2022. This scholarship is for students who missed the March 15 deadline or are only attending the Spring 2023 term. The requirements are the same as the KEF General Scholarship, but the award will be only for the spring semester.

Don’t forget to add the opening of the KEF General Scholarship application to your calendar, which opens on December 15, 2022. The KEF general Scholarship will close on March 15, 2023. Apply By February 15, 2023, and receive an additional $50 for your award!

Please email us at kef@koniageducation.org, visit our website, or call (907) 562-9093 for more information.

Board Spotlight

Tony Cange

Tony Cange's connection to Kodiak started with his grandparents, Pete and Deloris Peterson. Cange's grandparents' roots are from Seldovia and Palmer, but in 1966 they moved to Kodiak to try their hand in the commercial fishing industry and work towards financial freedom. His mother, Leona Cange, attended school in Kodiak and married Joe Cange, and now resides in Anchorage.

Like his grandparents, Cange's compass for his career has always pointed towards securing his independence. To achieve this, he knew he wanted to pursue a degree in finance which brought him to the University of Utah, where Cange studied tirelessly and received his bachelor's degree.

Upon graduating, Cange acquired a position with the Seldovia Native Association and the Aleut Real Estate, LLC. For nearly 15 years, Cange developed skills and experience in commercial and residential real estate and property management. This led him to become the Chief Executive Officer of Seldovia Native Association Inc. and Aleut Real Estate, LLC president. He used his talents to underwrite and complete due diligence for real estate acquisitions and manage commercial real estate assets totaling more than $100 million in asset value in five different markets –Alaska, Seattle, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Phoenix.

In 2016 he joined the Cange Group, where he works on leasing, sales, and leading their acquisition team. He also became a Certified Commercial Investment Member and now holds a salesperson license with the State of Alaska.

Each step Cange took has led him to where he is today. Cange is currently the owner of Agyaq Group, LLC, a holding company for various investments in real estate and managing businesses like Alaska Medical Waste, Alaska Scrap and Recycling, and Spill Shield Inc. He works with owners and investors to define strategic goals for properties. Cange also serves as a Director of Natives of Kodiak Inc., Full Metal Minerals, and Koniag Education Foundation. He began serving on the KEF Board in 2005 and has been with the foundation for 11 years.

When asked what advice Tony would give KEF students mapping out their journeys, he shared, "Don't give up. Even though your goals may change, always grow and continue to work hard."

KEF Wishes You a Happy Giinaruat Ernera!

Halloween in Sugt'stun is translated to Giinaruat Ernera, or Masks' Day.

Are you wearing a mask this Halloween? Did you know that Alutiit (plural for Alutiiq) wore masks during some ceremonies?

Giinaquq is the Alutiiq word for mask. It translates to "like a face, but not really." Today, you may see traditional masks displayed on walls of homes, offices, and museums. You may also see Giinaqut (plural form of Giinaquq) used in some ceremonial dance performances.

Giinaqut are carefully crafted to tell stories, share history, and are traditionally used to connect shamans to their helper spirits and the spirit world. Helper spirits would present themselves in dreams or visions to shamans in the form of masks, then those shamans would carve them and bring them to life. When shamans used the Giinaqut in dance ceremonies, the helper spirit would come and take over the shaman to carry out the ceremony.

Traditionally after a mask served its purpose as a helper spirit connecting shamans to the spirit world, masks were often burned.

Alutiiq Museum Giinaquq Mask Page

Address Update

Don't miss out on student care packages!

Make sure to update your address. Please fill out an address change form on our website or at the link below to ensure you don't miss out on student care packages!

Address Change Form

Get in the Know Drawing

Congratulations to the three lucky winners of our Get in the Know Drawing! We'll be sending your KEF coffee mugs shortly.

Quinn Brown
Rebecca Cadle
Veronica Johnson

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

— A.A Milne

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Koniag Education Foundation | 907-562-9093| | kef@koniageducation.org | www.koniageducation.org