The Outstanding Scholar Award is given to applicants who we feel are utilizing their studies in promising ways, and show innovative and creative ideas for how they plan to build on their studies to bring healing and safety to our communities.
CHARLENE AQPIK APOK
Charlene is Iñupiaq, her family is from White Mountain and Golovin, AK. She is mother to Evan Lukluan. Charlene has served in many spaces as an advocate for Indigenous womxn, Indigeous sovereignty, climate justice and Indigenous rights to health and wellbeing. Her experience includes organizing at the grassroots level to completing an Indigenous People's Fellowship at the United Nations. Charlene believes in culture as the foundation of wellness. She applies this philosophy in her experience as an Indigenous Researcher working towards data sovereignty, particularly on issues such as MMIWG. Charlene is a lifelong learner in both her cultural traditions and decolonizing academia; she earned her B.A in American Ethnic Studies with a minor in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies, an M.A in Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development with and emphasis on Circumpolar Health and is currently pursuing her PhD in Indigenous Studies. Charlene gratefully resides in Anchorage on the territories of Dena'ina people. Here she has taught the Iñupiaq language and is part of Kingikmuit dance group with her son son. Charlene enjoys reading, travelling, and hosting nikipiaq!