Public Media for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
There are 128 open rural schools in Alaska. Just under half of them are owned by the state, and many are falling apart.

Alaska-q Nallunguarilartuq Amllernek Ikayungcautnek Kitugutkaitnun Kaimengelriit Elitnaurviit

Maalleggluku yuinaq allrakut, mikelnguut Sleetmute, Alaska-mi elutnaulartut elitnaurviat kucituluni qilii. State-am pulengtaq nallungualarai ikayungcaucet akikanek kitugutkaanun, elitnaurvik-llu waniwa uqugglulirluni aarnaqluni-llu imnayukluni. (Tarenraq nasvagaaqaa Shoshana Gordon/ProPubluca. Tarenrairaqaa Emily Schwing/KYUK, Michael Grabell/ProPublica)
Maalleggluku yuinaq allrakut, mikelnguut Sleetmute, Alaska-mi elutnaulartut elitnaurviat kucituluni qilii. State-am pulengtaq nallungualarai ikayungcaucet akikanek kitugutkaanun, elitnaurvik-llu waniwa uqugglulirluni aarnaqluni-llu imnayukluni. (Tarenraq nasvagaaqaa Shoshana Gordon/ProPubluca. Tarenrairaqaa Emily Schwing/KYUK, Michael Grabell/ProPublica)

Yuinaq cipluku amllertalriit nunacuarmi Sleetmute, Alaska-mi, elitnauryalartut unuaquaqan enecuarmun nunapigngalnguuluni imyarpiarumaluni.

Allamiaqan yuinaunritaarni allrakuni, school district-aarat kaigalartuq akimek ikayuryugluteng kitugtellerkaanun kuciryulriim qiliin. Taugam pulengtaq, state-am unakicunaki. Ukanirpak, kucilartuq, qurrlurluni, arungluteng-llu mecungtelalriit. Egaleq-llu qulillruuq qanikcaq uqamairilaan enem qaingani uksuraqan. Piinanermini, qacarneret iliit perngellruuq, elatii-llu ukinengluni.

2021-aami, enet ayuqucirkaitnek pilituli qanellruuq elitnaurvik, Alaska-m nutem yukerpalluqain aturpallutukiit, “aarnaqniluku atullerkaa qanruteknaqsaqaa.”

Taum allrakum kinguani, Taylor Hayden-aaq, tamakumiu ikayutelalria elitnaurvik murilkelluuku, ikircillruuq natran ikircaraamek kiircautii arenqiallugtellrani kitugteqatallermini nalaqiluni-llu mermek kutem quyurrvikellranek enem aciani, allrakurugarni ellalluum qanikcam-llu urullran cement-aq ciamevkallrulliniluku.

“Tuar kia mulutuugkun ciamtellra,” Hayden-aaq qanellruuq.

Sleetmute-ami elitnaurvik, uitauq kialirnerani Kusquqviim, napat nekevraartut elngut-llu nuniitni Alaska-m qukaqlian nuniini, amllernek picirkangqenrituq amllertun elitnaurvigtun Alaska-mi. pikestengqertuq state-amek, alerquutem aciakun akililararkauluku naucimallrat aulukumallrat-llu.

Taugam allrakuni yuinaq talliman pelluullerni, state-am pistain nalluungualarait amlleret kaigatait nunacuarni school district-aanek kitugcisqelluuki nunani Alaska-mi arulriit, yuvrillermeggni mana KYUK-q ProPublica-q-llu qanertut.

School District-aat caliarkaqaat nautellerkaat aulukumallerkaat-llu elitnaurviit United States-aami akilillerkaa-llu aulukumallrata akiliquuraucetgun. Taugam Alaska-mi, state-am pikai avgani 128-aam ikgellruuralriit nunacuarni district-aani, KYUK-m ProPublicam-llu yuvrillrani kalikat. Tamakut yugyanrilnguut state-aq kiingan caumaarkauluku akikiumallerkaatnun elitnaurviit incorporated-aaqsailngurni nunani akiliquurautnek pingyuilngurni.

Ikayurkaryukuneng kitugutkanek, school district-aat imiriarkaugut akikamek kaigaluteng allamiaqan, tua-i-llu state-am arcaqakumaarkat tungliqutaciicetun igaulluki. 1998-aarnirnek, amllertalriit 135-aat nunacuarni elitnaurviit utaqaut akikameggnek tallimani allrakuni wa’llu cipluku, nasvagaa yuvriutni naaqutaitnek Alaska Department of Education and Early Development-aat. Yuinaq qula pingayun amllertalriit taukut ilait augaumalartut state-am igausngavianek akikiciimaarkanek qulen allrakut cipluki.

State-am nutem yukekai mikelnguut agtuumanrulartut watnalriani tua-i-wa amllenrulriani nunacuarni school district-aani amllenrulriit Alaska-m nakmiin yukngaki- amllerqunek-llu Alaska-m Nakmiin Yukekai umyuarteng aturpeknaku elitnaurcecimalallruluteng allakaumalriani elitnaurvigni allacetun-llu ayuqluteng pimaksaitaqluteng.

Elitnaurviim qukaani Sleetmute-ami elitnaurat atulaqiit. Unuakutalartut wani cali apiatalartut, avatiitni-wa agalriit tarenrait nunameggni tegganret Yup’iit cali Athabascan-aat. (Michael Grabell/ProPublica)
Michael Grabell
/
ProPublica
Elitnaurviim qukani Sleetmute-ami elitnaurat atulaqiit. Unuakutalartut wani cali apiatalartut, avatiitni-wa agalriit tarenrait nuniitni tegganret Yup’iit cali Athabascan-aat.
Sleetmute-ami elitnaurat aquilriit angqerluteng ellami uperkami allragni. Nengllingraan, mikelnguut aquiviat elitnaurviim iluani umgumalartut. (Emily Schwing/KYUK)
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Sleetmute-ami elitnaurat aquilriit angqerluteng ellami uperkami allragni. Nengllingraan, mikelnguut aquiviat elitnaurviim iluani umgumauq.

State education Commissioner Deena Bishop-aq qanellruuq state-am kitugciyaraa assirluku calinritniluku. Taugam qanerluni calivigteng cuq’liumaniluku state-am alerquuciurtain akikiurilallratgun.

Alerquciurta Bryce Edgmon-aaq, Alaska-m Nakmiin Yukekii cali ciuliqagtengulria Alaska House of Representatives-aani, cali qanellruuq assirluku calinritniluku.

“Umyuartequa yuvriucet ellmeggnek nasvagaat,” qanellruuq paqeqaarluklu elitnaurvik Sleetmute-ami Qaariitaarvigmi. “Ma’kut elitnaurat puqilriit igvalartut unuaquaqan enemun elitnaurviukaunrilngurmun imnarilriamun.”

Edgmon-aaq, ciuliqagtengulriim House Finance Committee-mi tungliqellra allrakugni malrugni pellullregni, qanellruuq ellii allat-llu alerquuciurcet pikaniryugngayaaqniluteng cali akqiluni “paivciciqniluni nepliutekanek” state-am Capitol-aarani. Ma’tumi allrakumi amllernek umyuallgutkeksaitut elitnaum tungiinun akikiutnun. Alaska-mi akiliqurautnek calilriit akingutaitnek tegumalalriamek piyuitut, cali tuniat ilataitnek taugam akikangaqluteng uqumek unangkenganek, ukaqvaggun allrakuni ikeglilriamek.

Nunacuarni akikamek utaqainanratni, elitnaurviit aruungiinartut, aarnaqluteng aturtemeggnun elitnauranun calistenun-llu. Allrakumi pelluullermi KYUK-q ProPublica-q-llu elitnaurviit aciatnun itrallruut aurrluteng, mayuraluteng-llu qullirnun elitnaurvigni state-ami nataqutaqluteng tungulrianek uqugglugnek, unuiraat-lu anaitnek cali qerruucet ellngallritnek-aarnarqellriit naullunarqellriit anerniqnarqellriit, qamiqiqnaqluteng, mernunaqluteng-llu. Ilalqautnguut-llu Alaska-m Nutem Yukekainun, aka amllenrulriit apqucingqelaata nunarpagni uitalriani akmani.

Venetie-ami, nunacuar uitalria 30 miles neglirnerani Arctic Circle-aam, caviyaaret agaluteng malleggluki ekuayugngalriit enem maqarqutai. Thorne Bay-mi, qikertaq Southeast Alaska-mi, kaigallruut akimiar malruk cipluku-rqunek akikamek cimiutekaatnek eksuucet, unakicimaksaunateng. Imarpiim-llu ceniini nunami Niugtarmi, elitnaurviim cuplui cikuluteng navellruut, amllenrani-llu elitnaullrata allragni, mikelnguut nunakuarcuutekun yuqercartulallruut enemeggni, malrurqugnek unuaquaqan.

Hayden-aam tangellrin kinguani Sleetmute-ami, elitnaurviim ilii aarnarqenrulria, ilakluku muragnek caliyaramek elitnaurvik, angucet yuqervviat, aquivik-llu angqervik,umgumallruuq. Waniwa, mikelnguut allrakulget stamanek akimiar malruk tekilluku pingayuni classroom-ami elitnaulartut qacarneritni-wa agalriit teganret tarenrait Yupiit cali Athabascan-aat.

“Amllermek pillerkangqenrirtukut,” qanellruq Neal Sanford-aaq. Allrakulek 17, yuarnayulria angqalallratnek cali elitnaullerminek muragnek caliyaramek eneliyaramek-llu. Nunateng unilluku yu’lek yuinaq talliman naavkenaku elitnauryartullruuq state-am elitnaurviani allami nunami yaaqsigtalriami 800 miles.

Qaariitaarvigmi, nepaitellruuq elatiini Jack Egnaty Sr. School-am Sleetmute-ami, qimugta taugaam qilugaqluni piyungaqami cali niitnarqaqluteng nunakuarcuucet 4 wheel-at. Ella muragninarqellruuq aruvagninaqluni-llu cali massiinarninaqluni. Aquiviinateng elitnaurviim iluani, mikelnguut maqaqluteng aquillruut ellaami nengllingraan.

“Unatairpaa,” qanellruuq 4th grade-aulria Loretta Sakar-aq, unategni arulalluukek mayurayaraq qeraarraarluku. Anglanillra engelallra-llu akiuggluni aquivigmi ellaami allat mikelnguut aquillratni angqerluteng wa’llu aaluyaarluteng agalriani nunakuarcuucet akalriaritni.

Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Mikelnguut ilakluku Loretta Sakar (iqsulirnermi) aquilriit aturluki akallaat aquivimeggni uitalriit ellaami.

Andrea John-aq, aipaunani irniaminek anglicarilria pingayunek, ilakluku Loretta, elitnaulartut Sleetmute school-ami, qanellruuq state-am nunarpagni mikelnguut waten pivkaryanritai.

“Ikayurnarqellruyaaqaitekut ayagmek ikayurnarqellemteni utaqavkenateng yuinarni allrakuni,” qanellruuq. “Tunulluta qanertut catkenritniluta.

“Umyuangcautekevkenaku, Ikayuutnguvkenani Cali Taunguciat Pitekluku Allacetun Ayuqluki Aulukevkenaki”

Alaska-q state-aurtellrani 1959-aami, alerquutii akqillruuq elitnaurvigkaitnek tamarmeng “ikingqaluni tamaitnun mikelnguinun State-am.” Taugam allrakuurugarni, tuaten ayuqeksaituq. Amlleret Nunamta Nutem Yukekain mikelngui elitnaullruut arulaskengaini U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs-am.

Alaska-q picirkiullruyaaquq elitnaurviit tegunaluki, taugam state-aq pulengtaq ingluliutaqluni akiliutekaat nurusnganiluku. Alaska-mi uqunek calingellrat, ayagnirluni 1960-ni, akikamek iluvaucillruuq elitnaumun, taugaam state-am calistai pillruut BIA-m elitnaurvii assinritniluki aguaggluteng-llu anguyagtemun kitugtesqelluki state-am teguvailgaki.

Amlleret Alaska-m mikelngui “elitnaulartut aarnaqngata ekuakuneng-llu anesciigaciiqluteng umegnarqellriani wa’llu atuyunailngurni,” tamani U.S.-aami alerquuciurtenguulleq Mike Gravel-aaq qanellruuq congress-aat niicugnillratni matumek. 1980-ni taugaam tamaita BIA-t elitnaurviit nugtartellruit state-amun.

1971-aami congress-aat alerquuciurcet niicugnillratni matumek. Alerquuciurtem Mike Gravel-aam qanrutkellrui elitnaurviit arulaskengai U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs-am. (Unakellrua una KYUK-m ProPublica-m-llu. ProPublica-m aperturaa.)
1971-aami congress-aat alerquuciurcet niicugnillratni matumek. Alerquuciurtem Mike Gravel-aam qanrutkellrui elitnaurviit arulaskengai U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs-am. (Unakellrua una KYUK-m ProPublica-m-llu. ProPublica-m aperturaa.)

Taugam state-am tegungengraaki, elitnaullerkaq Alaska-m Nakmiin Yuinun allakakumalriacetun ayuqellruuq. Amlleret nunacuaraat elitnaurviitellruut, ayagluteng elitnauryarturarkaugaqluteng wa’llu kalikivigkun elitnauraqluteng. Elitnaurat qavcin qanercetaarvigkun state-aq inglulillruat 1970-ni cimiryugluku tamana, tauna ingluliurun pitekluku state-aq elitnaurvilillruuq 126-aanek nutaranek elitnaurvignek nunacuarni.

Elitnaurat tengssuutmun ekqatalriit Shungnak, Alaska-mi ayagyarturluteng Oregon-aamun elitnauryarturluteng. Apertuumaut, iqsulirnermek ayagluki, George Cleveland Sr., Lena Commack Coffee, Angeline Douglas, Genevieve Douglas Norris, Wynita Woods Lee, Virginia Douglas Commack, Harold Barry. (Kay J. Kennedy-m tengssuutnek tarenrautiin iliit, qemangqaat University of Alaska Fairbanks-aami.)
Elitnaurat tengssuutmun ekqatalriit Shungnak, Alaska-mi ayagyarturluteng Oregon-aamun elitnauryarturluteng. Apertuumaut, iqsulirnermek ayagluki, George Cleveland Sr., Lena Commack Coffee, Angeline Douglas, Genevieve Douglas Norris, Wynita Woods Lee, Virginia Douglas Commack, Harold Barry. (Kay J. Kennedy-m tengssuutnek tarenrautiin iliit, qemangqaat University of Alaska Fairbanks-aami.)

1990-t ayagnillratni, Alaska-m alerquciurtai ayagnirillruut akikillerkaanek elitnaurvignek naucillerkam cali auluklerkaatnek. School District-aat imiriarkauluteng akikiutekanek, state-am-llu elitnaurvignek calivian arcaqakumaarkat tungliqutaciicetun elkartaqluki. Taugam alerquuciurcet carrarmek akikamek pillruut. Taugam, alerquuciurcet qavcirraat elkarcillruut akikiutekanek kingunermeng elitnaurviitnun, arcaqakluki nunarpagni elitnaurviit.

1997-aami, Alaska-m Nakmiin Yukekai angayuqat qavcin inglulillruat state-aq qanercetaarvigkun, qanerluteng akikiulallrat narurciniluku Alaska-m alerquutiinek cali anguyagtem alerquutiinek Civil Rights Act-amek (Uum alerquutem aciakun nunarpamta yui tamarmeng ayuqluteng pimaarkaugut.) Superior Court-ami cuqcistem John Reese-am umyuallgucillrui.

Qanellruuq “Akikiuryaraata elitnaurviit nunacuarni akikiciimavkaqsaitai aulukuutekaitnek,” Igallruuq 1999-aami pisqutmi. “Auluknarqellriit ilangqertut qilaitnek elitnaurviit igtellrianek, meyunarqellriamek merkaunateng, qerruucet atuyunaunateng, elitnaulriit-llu 187% amllertaluteng yugtutacirkiuraat elitnaurviim angtacia cuqekluku cipcimaluku. Ilait elitnaurviit nunacuarni arcaqakumaarkani uitalartut qavcini allrakuni, taugam akikamek akurtuqsaunateng.”

Allami-llu pisqutmi, state-am piciryaraa qanrutkellrua “piciatun pimaluni, nuringaluni, taunguciit-llu pitekluku allakakumalriatun aulukuumaaqluteng,” cali qanerluni state-amun tusnganiluku elitnaullerkaat Alaska-m Nutem Yukekain mikelnguit “akitunrungraan nunacuarni.”

2001-aami pisqutii Alaska Superior Court-ami Cuqcistem John Reese (Unakellra KYUK-m ProPublica-m-llu. Nasvallra ProPublica-m)
2001-aami pisqutii Alaska Superior Court-ami Cuqcistem John Reese (Unakellra KYUK-m ProPublica-m-llu. Nasvallra ProPublica-m)

2011-aami umyuallgutekluteng taqutellrata piliarkauvkallrua state-aq tallimanek nutaranek elitnaurvignek, Alerquciurcet-llu ciuniuriluteng alerquutekaamek ayuqluki akikat elkartenrullerkaat pitekluku nunacuarni school district-aanun piarkauyaaqluni.

Taugam qulen cipluki allrakut kinguatni, arenqiallugun apertullra Reese-am cali piugurtuq. Allrakuaqan school district-aanek kaigacetangqelartuq cipluku yuinaat talliman amllertalrianek, amllertaluteng amllernek miilicaanek akiirugarnek. Taugam Alerquuciurcet akikiciilartut kiingan carrarnek ilarraitnek. Tallimani allrakuni ilaitni augkut qula atauciq allrakut pellullret, kiingan ciuniurillruut ikgellrulrianek tallimani piyutnek.

Edgmon-aam qanrutkellrua Alerquuciurcet akikiurillratnun malleksaitniluku piyutiit Alaska-mi nunacuarni elitnaurviit. Qanellruuq "Alerquutem aciakun piarkaput atuqsaitaput assirluteng elitnaullerkaatnun qanercetaarviit pulengtaq qanellruciacetun piarkauniluta.”

Aptellratni ciin akikitlerkaat caperrnaqpiallranek, state-am education commissioner-aara Bishop-aaq qanellruuq KYUK-mun allragni nunacuarni elitnaurviit assirniluki nunanun. “Taugam, tuaten pingraan, $50-t miilicaat akit ayagturaallerkaat qulnun elitnauranun pisciigatuq," qanellruuq. “Waten piunga, umyuangcautekluku tuaten piurciigatellrat ciunerkamteni tailriami.”

Uitaurtelluki caarkat utaqavkarluki allrakuni cali akituriinarnarquq piinanermeggni. Kuspuk School District-aam ciuqliq piyuutii kitugutkaanun Sleetmute-ami elitnaurviim amllenruurallruuq $411,000 allrakumi 2007-aami. Tua-i-llu 2024-aami, mayurluni amllertariluni $1.6 miilicaat – cipluku tapluku ciuqlirmi akingqellra, cuqluku-llu cat akiturillrat pingermi.

“Wangni tamana caarkamek uitaciilriaruuq,” Kuspuk Superintendent Madeline Aguillard-aq qanertuq. “Kaigaurallerput niicimaksaituq.”

“Kiingan tangerrluku ayuquciat elitnauranun atuusqumaakaita school district-aam state-am-llu assirluki elitnaurat pisqumaniluki, ciuliqagta Kuspuk School District-aami Madeline Aguillard-aq qanertuq, “assirluteng elitnaurnaitut.” (Emily Schwing/KYUK)
“Kiingan tangerrluku ayuquciat elitnauranun atuusqumaakaita school district-aam state-am-llu assirluki-wa elitnaurat pisqumakait, ciuliqagta Kuspuk School District-aami Madeline Aguillard-aq qanertuq, “assirluteng elitnaurnaitut elitnaurviit.” (Emily Schwing/KYUK)

Nuniini 200 miles ungalalirnerem kanavalirnerani, Kuinerrami utaqallruut 15-aani allrakuni kitugtellerkaanek angtucarluku-llu Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat maligtaqutellerkaanun state-am pisqutainun qaillun pitalriamek yugtutaarkaullranun angtacia cuqluku. Elitnaulartut yuinaat qulen tuani, tapluku cipluku-llu yugtutacirkaan angtacia cuqyutekluku.

Avatiitni eksuutain, Thorne Bay-mi elitnaurvigmi Southeast Island School District-aam kaigavikellrua state-aq 18-aarqunek cimiryuglukek ak’allaurtellriik kiircautem uqirviik ellngangnayuklukek. Superintendent Rod Morrison-aaq, district-aarani ilausngalria Alaska-m ungalalirnermi qikertat angtalria tamana nuna Connecticut-aatun, qanellruuq district-aameggni kituggnarqellriit igausngalriit iquilngurtun ayuqniluki.

“Elitnauq angtuaruarkauyaaquq ayuqluki yuut pillerkaatnun," qanellruuq. "Ayuqluteng pimanritut Alaska-mi.”

Nunacuarni school district-aani calilriit qanertut, nurnallrat aturyulriit, state-am canek naucilallranun aulukilallranun-llu arenqiallugutnek taqutelarniluku. Imirillerkaq akikamek kaigaluni ilangqertuq 37-aanek kalikarnek tapruarkanek, state-am alerquutii qanrutkumaaqluni cali pisqucet. Cali pisqutnguluni school district-aat ilakarkauluku arvinlegni allrakuni kitugutkat. Makut pisqucet atuullerkaat capernaqsugngauq nunacuani school district-aani, amllermi-llu ciuliqagcet cimirturalaata cali calistenek nuryugciaqluteng.

Akikiumanrullerkaat pitekluku, ilait nunacuarni elitnaurvigni ciuliqagtengulriit qanlartut tuar-guq elitnaurumalriit yuvriristekauluteng caliarat aturluku pisqumalaqaitt elitnaurviteng yuvrirluki imiriaqameng.

“Kiingan qavcirrarnek cingilegnek nugtarciyugngauten,” qanellruuq David Landis-aaq Southeast Regional Resource Center-aamek, akitgun ulengnaqenrilnguuluni calilria, allat avatiitni caliarluni, akilirtelluni ikyurluki elitnaurviit imirillratni.

Landis-aaq qanellruuq yuvririlriit cali yuvriucet atuuciqniluki arcaqakumaarkanun imiram elliillerkaanun, taugam “tamakut kalikat akituut. Aipaagni cipluku $100,000.”

Kuspuk School District-aaq akimek atullruuq cipluku $200,000 2021-aarnirnek imirateng caliaqluki Sleetmute -ami elitnaurvigmun, Aguillard-aq qanertuq. Cali akilillruuq amllernek tiissitsaanek akinek alerquuciurcet caliviatni calilriamek alerquuciurcet eguaqurluki ilasqelluuku aulukuutekaat elitnauriit state-am elliin pikekain.

Ilait school district-aat qanellruut ellaita akilirciigatniluki tamakut tuacetun akilget. “Wangkuta tuaten pisciigatuukut,” qanellruuq Morrison-aaq Southeast Island School District-aanek. “Augariarkaugukut elitnauristemek wa’llu malrugnek tuaten piarkaukumta.”

“Ikgetsiyaagtuq, Kingurautuq”

Kiak, Sleetmute-aq niitellruuq assilriamek. Nallunguarraarluki 19-aat kaigacet, state-am ciuniuryaqlillrua elitnaurviata qiliin kitugutkaa Alaska-m alerquuciurtai ciuniurirraartelluuki alerquutekaamek cingluku elitnaurviit aulukuutiit naucimaallerkaata-llu akiikaa amllenqurraulriamun allrakuni pelluullerni.

Taugam “ikgetsiyaagtuq kinguraulluni-llu,” Aguillard-aq qanellruuq. Elitnaurvik aruvsiallruuq cakneq Sleetmute-aq-llu nutaramek elitnaurvingnaqluni waniwa.

Tamana pitekluku, district-aaq apelcillruuq aturyugnacianek qiliin kitugutkaa tegguciutekluku iqunayukluku, elitnaurvigkanek-llu enecuarnek taitellerkamun wa’llu nani allami elitnaullerkaatnun nunameggni. Taugam, Aguillard-aq qanertuq, Alaska-mi elitnaumek calialget qaategtelartut ciuniurillerkamek tamakunun. Taugam, qanerluni, piyutengqellruut akikicitulit: Nasvitesqellruut state-amun akiliqsaitniluku kitugutkaa Sleetmute-ami elitnaurviim qilii kuciryulria- tamana igausngalria state-am kalikaini- cali uitacimallranun arcarivkarniluku.

Email-ami, education department-aat igallruut, “waten pillruut atucurlanritlerkaat akiikiucet pitekluku cali taringenqegcaarnaluku qaillun pitalriamek caliaqnarqellra.”

Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Sleetmute-armiut arcaqerluku peng’garuutek’laraat uksumi qanikcaq ciku-llu amlleriilalria elitnaurviim qaingani. Tunuqlia elitnaurviim aarnarqelartuq imnayukluni uqamairiaqan.

KYUK-m cali ProPublica-m yuvrillrani nalaqiillruat yuinarni waten pilriani, akikamek kaigacet utaqamalartut kiituan akiturilartut cat piyucet kiituan-llu elitnaurviit kituggviirulluteng imtarkaurtelartut. Tamakut elitnaurviit naucimanqigtelartut state-aq atutngurtaqluni amllenrulrianek miilicaanek akiinek ciungani pillruyaallermeggni kitugcimallrukaata.

Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School-aq Anyarami, 100 miles uatiini uitalria Sleetmute-am, ayagnirillruuq kitugciluteng akikanranek $9.5 miilicaam 2007-aami. Taugam utaqarraarluteng 11-aani allrakuni, state-aq atullruuq $18.6 miilicaanek cimiutiinun 2018-aami.

Qavcin district-aat cali utaqaut elitnaurvignek qanelrianek cimirnaqniluteng. Ciuqliq kaigan Johnnie John School-aq Crooked Creek-ami, 40 miles uatiini Sleetmute-am, 1998-aami akingqerrarkaullruyaaquq $4.8 miilicaanek ilallerkaa. Taugaam 2009-ami, district-aaq kaigallruuq $19 miilicaanek akinek cimillerkaanun. Alerquuciurcet akikillrunritaat tauna district-aamun ilangarqaartelluuku amllertacia. Akikangesciiganateng nutaramek elitnaurvigkamek, waniwa $1.9 miilicaaq aki unakelteng state-amek allragni naavkangnaqluku aturaat kitugutnun: nutarrluku kiircautii cali kallugcuutai cali aarnarqellriit augaumallratnun.

Amllenritni Alaska-m nunacuaraini, ca paivngaciatun aturnarqelartuq: Yuut qelkilartut amllernek massiinallernek elatmeggni tumarutkautekluki. Nunacuarni tumyaratgun ullagciigalngurni, amlleret unakumalartut barge-atgun wa’llu tengssuucetgun. Sleetmute-ami, 24-aanek imalek paap-at akingqertuq $54- stamarqunek tapluku akiat akmani Lower 48-aami.

Sleetmute-aq, nuniit ikgellrulriit 100-aat, uitauq kialirneraani Kusquqviim Alaska-m qukaqliani. (Emily Schwing/KYUK)
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Sleetmute-aq, nuniit ikgellrulriit 100-aat, uitauq kialirneraani Kusquqviim Alaska-m qukaqliani.
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Tumyarartaituq Sleetmute-amek, taumek tamakumiut ayagavallulalriit tengssuucetgun cat-llu unakaqluki tuaten. Kusquqvak urugaqan, barge-at kiagmi aturyulrianek taiqurilartut.

Cali mana pitekluku canek naucilleq akitupialartuq: elisngalriit calistekat tengssuucetgun tailartut, uitavigkiumaaqluteng nerqumaluteng-llu. Massiinat aturyukait itralartut barge-atgun Kusquqvagkun, cikumalalriakun allrakum avgani. School District-aam akiat ilangarcullruyaaqaa massiinat atuqait misviliulriit aturluki. Taugam taukut taqiutellruut uksuarmi ava-i, state department of transporation-aat-llu massiinateng utrulluuki Sleetmute-amek.

Tua-i-llu elitnaurvik piyunartacimitun piarkauluni. Ataucimek yuqerrvigmek atulartut tamarmeng. Kalikarmek agalriartangqelartuq caniani yuqerrviim. Igangqertuq “Anguucet” manumini, akmatiini-llu “Arnat” nallunairluku kitumun atuucia.

Naucimaarkat ayuquciatnek pilituli qanraartelluuku Sleetmute-ami elitnaurvik imcimaanaqniluku atuyunaitniluku,” avga elitnaurviim umellruat. Waniwa elitnaurat, calistai-llu atulartut ataucimek yuqerrvigmek, kalikarmek-llu agalriartarluni nasvagluku kitumun atuucia. (Emily Schwing/KYUK)
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
"Naucimaarkat ayuquciatnek pilituli qanraartelluuku Sleetmute-ami elitnaurvik imcimaanaqniluku atuyunaitniluku,” avga elitnaurviim umellruat. Waniwa elitnaurat, calistai-llu atulartut ataucimek yuqerrvigmek, kalikarmek-llu agalriartarluni nasvagluku kitumun atuucia

Sleetmute-ami elitnaurvik tungulriamek unguvalrianun assiitellriamek uqugglulirtuq patumaluku qacarnek perngelria aarnaqluni imnayukluku muraliurviatni, cali cat qemangqaviat angqervigmi qiliini tuaten ayuqluni amiigan kenirviim nuniini.

Meq kutmek qiliiniek elitnaurviim ellngalartuq qacarnernun natranun-llu elitnaurviim Sleetmute-ami muragnek caliviatni.
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Meq kutmek qiliiniek elitnaurviim ellngalartuq qacarnernun natranun-llu elitnaurviim Sleetmute-ami muragnek caliviatni.

Uksuarmi ma-i tamakumiut allamek arenqiallugutmek nallunrillruut. Sheree Smith-aq, elitnaurilria Sleetmute-ami malrugni allrakugni, kaugtuarissaallruuq unuir-amek tengaulriamek elitnaurvigmi elitnaurani naaqiinanratni nepaunateng. Tamakut ungungssit uitalartut angqerviatni/aquiviatni aqumlleret quliitni qemaggvigmi, anaitnek-llu natra taum patumaluni.

Aquiyaraq Sleetmute-ami elitnaurviim aquiviani/angqerviani nurnartuq. Tauna/ cali qimagviulallrulria arenqiallugtaqata, cali caangssiviugaqluni, umgumallrurtuq malrugni allrakugni. (Emily Schwing/KYUK)
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Arenqiallugtaqata qimagviulartuq, cali caangssiviugaqluni, umgumallrurtuq malrugni allrakugni.

Aquiviinateng, elitnaurat ilautesciigatut caangssilrianun allani elitnaurvigni cali nunameggni. Allamiaqan, Sleetmute-ami elitnaurvigmi angqercecilallruut cali suurceciaqluteng akikangengnaqluteng ayagassuutekameggnek Anchorage-aamun Washington D.C.-mun-llu- amlleret Sleetmute-ami allani-llu nunani pisciicalnguut tuaten ellmeggnek. Elitnaurat “elpek’laraat tamana, allanek pisciigatlerteng,” qanellruuq Angela Hayden-aaq, Sleetmute-ami elitnauriscet ciuliqagtiit.

Calinritellratni Aluussistuam nalliini, school district-aam asvaiqcallrua tunua elitnaurviim imyailkucirluku muraliurvia.

Taugaam kiingan imyailkuciumauq. Qilii kucilartuq tamani Hayden-aaq elitnauringrraanranek ma-i allrakut amllertarilriit 17.

“Itraqama maavet, arcaqerluku ellarvaggaartelluuku wa’llu qanirraartelluuku,” qanertuq. “umyuarteq’lartua, ‘tua-lli, caarkangsia-kiq tanem elitnaurivimnun pivailegma?”

Elitnaurat ayagnilaaraat elitnaullerteng Akqiluteng Pelagmun Sleetmute-ami, tamani elitnaurviata qilii kucilalria yuurpailgata ayagnillruluuni. (Emily Schwing/KYUK)
Emily Schwing
/
KYUK
Elitnaurat ayagnilaaraat elitnaullerteng Akqiluteng Pelagmun Sleetmute-ami, tamani elitnaurviata qilii kucilalria yuurpailgata ayagnillruluuni.

Emily Schwing-am una qanemcikaa ilausnginaanermini University of Southern California, Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s National Fellowship-aami. Cali cingumastengqellruuq Center’s Fund for Reporting Child Well-being cali Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism.

Nallunrilkengaangqerquvet ayuquciatnek elitnaurviit Alaska-mi, qanruskiu Emily Schwing-aq wani emily@kyuk.org.

Emily Schwing is a long-time Alaska-based reporter.
Julia was born in Bethel and grew up in Tuntutuliak. She was born the last of 6 children. She was raised in a Yup’ik household and spoke only Yup’ik until she was about 10 years old.