About
The Robert Aqqaluk Newlin, Sr. Memorial Trust is named after one of NANA’s most influential leaders. Born in Noorvik, Alaska in February 1924, Robert was raised in a traditional subsistence lifestyle. He and Maggie Qannaq Gray married in January 1946, and together they raised 12 children. Robert was active in the land claims settlement efforts and following the December 1971 enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), he helped NANA open for business in July 1972. Robert was elected as NANA’s first President and eventually became its first Board Chairman when John Schaeffer’s Executive Director position was changed to President. Chairman Newlin led NANA’s first annual meeting of shareholders in the spring of 1974 where it is said that he used the butt of his pistol as a gavel. The theme of the first annual report was based on what leaders at the time felt were NANA’s two most important assets, “our people and their land.”
Robert recognized that in order to survive in the changing world, young people must not only have a strong cultural identity but must also be educated and well prepared for jobs and careers. He once stated, “When an Iñupiaq person becomes educated and understands his identity, he can play a vital role and become a leader.”
He always understood that the most important needs of our Iñupiat people were our Iñupiat spiritual needs. In the early 1980’s he helped lead efforts in the development of the Iñupiat Ilitqusiat values. He understood that by acquiring a good education and being grounded in our Iñupiaq values were paramount in assisting our Inupiat people to walk in two worlds with one spirit.
Robert was an exemplary Iñupiaq leader of the NANA Region and following his July 1989 passing while on a friendship trip to Russia, the Robert Aqqaluk Newlin, Sr. Memorial Trust (Aqqaluk Trust) was formed. Aqqaluk Trust’s mission epitomizes Robert’s legacy, “Empowering the Inupiat through Language, Culture, & Education.”
Board of Trustees
Nanuuraq Brett Kirk, Chair, Seat E
Taapsuq Robin Kornfield, Vice Chair, Seat F
Meghan Raye, Seat A
Atauŋuruq Jamie Adams, Seat B
Tunuŋataq Verna Westlake, Seat C
Piquk Linda Lee, Seat D
Qaulluq Clara McConnell, Seat G
Staff
Aqqaluk Trust employs seven full-time permanent staff, a handful of seasonal college leadership interns throughout the year, Camp Sivunnigvik seasonal staff, and contracted elders for translations. Aqqaluk Trust is proud to serve NANA shareholders and their descendants to empower them through language, culture and education.
Administration
Miġiaq Julie Petro Lowndes
President
Uvaŋa Miġiaq. Siiḷviŋmiuŋuruŋa. Aakaga Igri. Aapaga Joseph Petro. Aanaga Miġiaq Anna Cook. Taataga Kisaq John Knox.
Miġiaq is the daughter of the late Esther Knox of Selawik and Joseph Petro of Fairbanks. Her grandparents are Anna Cook and John Knox. She and her husband, John, have three children. Migiaq served as a Trustee from 2022-2025 and was named President on October 1, 2025. She works remotely.
"I was the first in my family to graduate from college and am grateful that NANA scholarships helped make it possible. As a parent, I believe it is important to know where you are from, stay connected to family, and to further your education."
Miġiaq is the daughter of the late Esther Knox of Selawik and Joseph Petro of Fairbanks. Her grandparents are Anna Cook and John Knox. She and her husband, John, have three children. Migiaq served as a Trustee from 2022-2025 and was named President on October 1, 2025. She works remotely.
"I was the first in my family to graduate from college and am grateful that NANA scholarships helped make it possible. As a parent, I believe it is important to know where you are from, stay connected to family, and to further your education."
Frances Qalukisaq Swanson
Office Manager
Frances Swanson, Qalukisaq, from Kotzebue, AK. My parents are Alvin and Edna Smith, grandparents are the late Albert Smith and Annie Cyr, and the late Peter Garfield, Sr and Mary Garfield. I am AT's office manager who does all the clerical work so that each dept can focus on their objectives. I am support to everyone to help keep the wheel moving. I am grateful to contribute to the language aspect of AT. As a learner I hope the enthusiasm rubs off and gives courage for others to pursue it as well.
Education Department
Denise Taksruq Koutchak
Education Director
Uvaŋa atiga Taksruq. Qikiqtaġruŋmiuguruŋa. My name is Denise Koutchak and I am from Kotzebue, Alaska.
Taksruq is an Iñupiaq manager whose work is deeply grounded in the heritage, history, and values passed down from the Koutchak and Richards families. The daughter of Donald Koutchak Sr., originally from Unalakleet, and the late Dorothy (Richards) Koutchak of Candle and Kotzebue, she draws strength from the legacy of her grandparents: the late Jack Koutchak Sr. and Ruth (Adams) Koutchak, and the late Tim Richards Sr. and Esther (Augrook) Richards. Their teachings—centered on cultural continuity, family connection, and respect for those who came before—continue to shape her identity and guide her professional path.
From 2019 to 2022, Taksruq served as President and CEO, leading with a commitment to community well-being, cultural empowerment, and organizational growth. In September 2024, she returned as Education Director, where she continues her advocacy for higher education. She believes college and vocational students have always played an important role in transforming the world around them and higher education provides skills for community well-being, fosters a sense of pride, and allows for the development of culturally relevant approaches to address community and regional needs.
Taksruq is also a proud parent of three children, who inspire her continued dedication to community, culture, and education.
Taksruq is an Iñupiaq manager whose work is deeply grounded in the heritage, history, and values passed down from the Koutchak and Richards families. The daughter of Donald Koutchak Sr., originally from Unalakleet, and the late Dorothy (Richards) Koutchak of Candle and Kotzebue, she draws strength from the legacy of her grandparents: the late Jack Koutchak Sr. and Ruth (Adams) Koutchak, and the late Tim Richards Sr. and Esther (Augrook) Richards. Their teachings—centered on cultural continuity, family connection, and respect for those who came before—continue to shape her identity and guide her professional path.
From 2019 to 2022, Taksruq served as President and CEO, leading with a commitment to community well-being, cultural empowerment, and organizational growth. In September 2024, she returned as Education Director, where she continues her advocacy for higher education. She believes college and vocational students have always played an important role in transforming the world around them and higher education provides skills for community well-being, fosters a sense of pride, and allows for the development of culturally relevant approaches to address community and regional needs.
Taksruq is also a proud parent of three children, who inspire her continued dedication to community, culture, and education.
Iñuunialiqput Department
Lucy Aviññaq Boyd
Iñuunialiqput Director
Uvaŋa Aviññaq. Nunatchiaġmiuŋuruŋa. Aakaga Quvyaguq. Aapaga Iñuŋuuluk. Aanaga Unaqsik. Taataga Tuŋŋaq. Savaktuŋa Aqqaluk Trust-kutni Iñuuniałiqput Director-mi.
I am Lucy (Gavin-Thomas-Hadley) Boyd from Buckland, Alaska. My mom is Lisa Lewis and my dad is Eddie Gavin. My grandparents are Grace and the late Lester Hadley Sr., and the late Ethel Hadley-Stork and Ed Stork. I am the Iñuuniałiqput Director at the Aqqaluk Trust.
I was born and raised in Buckland and had the opportunity to live in Fairbanks while my parents and I went to college, Selawik when my dad taught there, Sitka when I went to Mt. Edgecumbe, and Arizona, Texas, and Colorado while my husband Micah served in the Army. We have been married for nearly 20 years, and have three amazing children, Anŋiaqłuk (Micah Jr.), Saġġaq (Kamille), and Iñuŋuuluk (Leon).
I was blessed to be around my great-grandparents, Evans and Emma Thomas, and heard them Iñupiaraaq all the time, so since I was young, I’ve always wanted to learn more about our language and traditions. With this position, I’m able to work closely with the Regional Elders Council and Iñupiaq Language Commission to bring some of their vision to life in how we interact with and engage our young people in our programs.
I am a proud graduate of Buckland Middle School, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. In additional to working at the Aqqaluk Trust, my husband and I own a leadership development and marketing company. Earlier in my career I worked for Maniilaq in IT, NANA at many subsidiaries, and ran federal contracts for other Alaska Native Corporations.
If you have ideas on how we can promote our language and culture, I’d love to hear from you.
I am Lucy (Gavin-Thomas-Hadley) Boyd from Buckland, Alaska. My mom is Lisa Lewis and my dad is Eddie Gavin. My grandparents are Grace and the late Lester Hadley Sr., and the late Ethel Hadley-Stork and Ed Stork. I am the Iñuuniałiqput Director at the Aqqaluk Trust.
I was born and raised in Buckland and had the opportunity to live in Fairbanks while my parents and I went to college, Selawik when my dad taught there, Sitka when I went to Mt. Edgecumbe, and Arizona, Texas, and Colorado while my husband Micah served in the Army. We have been married for nearly 20 years, and have three amazing children, Anŋiaqłuk (Micah Jr.), Saġġaq (Kamille), and Iñuŋuuluk (Leon).
I was blessed to be around my great-grandparents, Evans and Emma Thomas, and heard them Iñupiaraaq all the time, so since I was young, I’ve always wanted to learn more about our language and traditions. With this position, I’m able to work closely with the Regional Elders Council and Iñupiaq Language Commission to bring some of their vision to life in how we interact with and engage our young people in our programs.
I am a proud graduate of Buckland Middle School, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. In additional to working at the Aqqaluk Trust, my husband and I own a leadership development and marketing company. Earlier in my career I worked for Maniilaq in IT, NANA at many subsidiaries, and ran federal contracts for other Alaska Native Corporations.
If you have ideas on how we can promote our language and culture, I’d love to hear from you.
Uqapiaqta Program
Reid Paałuk Magdanz
Uqapiaqta Program Manager
Iġñiġigaakŋa Susan Georgette-lu Jim Magdanz-lu. Iñupiaqsisiga Paałuk. Aŋayuqaaŋma iñuguqtitkaakŋa Qikiqtaġruŋmilu Kuuvaum Kaŋianilu aasrii akkuvak iñuuniaqtuŋa Qikiqtaġruŋmi. Savaaqsiruami Aqqaluk Trust-kutni Siqiññaasugruk 2024-mi.
Paałuk Reid Magdanz grew up in Kotzebue and on the Upper Kobuk, raised by his parents Jim Magdanz and Susan Georgette. They both moved to northwest Alaska before Paałuk was born, where he was raised with his younger brother in Kotzebue and around their family camp on the Maniiḷaq River. On his dad's side, Paałuk is descended from German and English immigrants who settled as farmers in the American Midwest. On his mom's side he is a mix of Irish, Italian, and Russian who in recent generations have lived in Boston, California, and West Virginia.
Paałuk has been working toward Iñupiaq language revitalization since 2014 and has been the Uqapiaqta Program Manager at Aqqaluk Trust since February 2024. In this role he is responsible for the development and implementation of the Uqapiaqta Iñupiaq Language Year, as well as supervising and managing the other work of the Uqapiaqta Program and staff. Prior to taking his job with Aqqaluk Trust, Paałuk worked in the Alaska Legislature and for Drake Construction in roles from Laborer up to Project Superintendent.
Paałuk Reid Magdanz grew up in Kotzebue and on the Upper Kobuk, raised by his parents Jim Magdanz and Susan Georgette. They both moved to northwest Alaska before Paałuk was born, where he was raised with his younger brother in Kotzebue and around their family camp on the Maniiḷaq River. On his dad's side, Paałuk is descended from German and English immigrants who settled as farmers in the American Midwest. On his mom's side he is a mix of Irish, Italian, and Russian who in recent generations have lived in Boston, California, and West Virginia.
Paałuk has been working toward Iñupiaq language revitalization since 2014 and has been the Uqapiaqta Program Manager at Aqqaluk Trust since February 2024. In this role he is responsible for the development and implementation of the Uqapiaqta Iñupiaq Language Year, as well as supervising and managing the other work of the Uqapiaqta Program and staff. Prior to taking his job with Aqqaluk Trust, Paałuk worked in the Alaska Legislature and for Drake Construction in roles from Laborer up to Project Superintendent.
K’yuuhlgáansii Frederick Olsen, Jr.
Qiñiqsittaaliuqti (Multimedia Specialist)
Born in Ketchikan, K’yuuhlgáansii (“Place of one’s own”, Haida) Frederick Otilius Olsen, Jr. graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in Juneau, Alaska before graduating from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities.
Before moving to Kotzebue, Fred lived in Sitka, Alaska where he worked as the Development Director at KCAW Sitka FM and was a member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Tribal Council. Fred also volunteered as the Producer, Creator, and Host of the weekly Alaska Native language radio show “Gunalchéesh!” which is still broadcast throughout Southeast Alaska.
In his role as Multimedia specialist, Fred is responsible for managing and conducting Aqqaluk Trust’s video documentation work in support of Uqapiaqta Iñupiaq Language Year curriculum development.
Before moving to Kotzebue, Fred lived in Sitka, Alaska where he worked as the Development Director at KCAW Sitka FM and was a member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Tribal Council. Fred also volunteered as the Producer, Creator, and Host of the weekly Alaska Native language radio show “Gunalchéesh!” which is still broadcast throughout Southeast Alaska.
In his role as Multimedia specialist, Fred is responsible for managing and conducting Aqqaluk Trust’s video documentation work in support of Uqapiaqta Iñupiaq Language Year curriculum development.
Atchugunnaq Austin Swan, Sr.
Uqapiaraałikun Savaktiq (Iñupiaq Language Specialist)
I was born in Kivalina (Kivaliñiq) in January 1948. My late father is the Rev. Clinton E. Swan, and my late mother is Charlotte Swan. I grew up living a subsistence lifestyle because that was how my parents lived, up until it became necessary to earn money to purchase what became available through the influx of westernization.
I currently represent Kivalina, Noatak, Kiana and Noorvik on the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly and am Mayor of the City of Kivalina. I am also a whaling captain and member of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. My previous experience includes work for the Phillips Petroleum Company, LNG plant in Nikiski, Red Dog, and Maniilaq. I am a graduate of Mt. Edgecumbe High School and the Technical School at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas.
I currently represent Kivalina, Noatak, Kiana and Noorvik on the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly and am Mayor of the City of Kivalina. I am also a whaling captain and member of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. My previous experience includes work for the Phillips Petroleum Company, LNG plant in Nikiski, Red Dog, and Maniilaq. I am a graduate of Mt. Edgecumbe High School and the Technical School at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas.
Paniyavluk Hannah Loon
Uqapiaraałikun Savaktiq (Iñupiaq Language Specialist)
My parents Ernest Kakiaq Loon and Bertha Sheldon Loon raised us in a reindeer camp near Selawik Lake when we were very young, an upbringing I will forever cherish with my three siblings and other families who were herding to feed their families. My mother passed at a very young age and our father moved us to Selawik.
I attended Mt. Edgecumbe and each spring our grandmother, Dora Ballot, took my brother, Edward, and me to camp by rowing or sailing the boat. There, I learned her ways to set up camp and nets. As I started to raise children, I took classes while working, including remote classes. I focused on local knowledge on Subsistence and assisting Iñupiaq speakers document stories and lessons. I love to share stories with students as an adjunct instructor with Chukchi College. I am happy that my family members continue our subsistence way of life.
I attended Mt. Edgecumbe and each spring our grandmother, Dora Ballot, took my brother, Edward, and me to camp by rowing or sailing the boat. There, I learned her ways to set up camp and nets. As I started to raise children, I took classes while working, including remote classes. I focused on local knowledge on Subsistence and assisting Iñupiaq speakers document stories and lessons. I love to share stories with students as an adjunct instructor with Chukchi College. I am happy that my family members continue our subsistence way of life.
Qaliaq Raymond Woods
Uqapiaraałikun Savaktiq (Iñupiaq Language Specialist)
My parents, Wesley and Josephine Woods, raised me with many brothers and sisters in Shungnak on the Kobuk River and they taught us to speak fluent Iñupiaq while we grew up. All my knowledge in hunting and trapping and living our way of life (Iñupiaq Iḷitqusriat) is from my parents, using the language.
I currently serve on the Gates of the Arctic Subsistence Resource Commission and AIDEA Subsistence Committee and work to help my people preserve their resources and keep their language and culture alive. I’ve also served as a regional school board member, Shungnak tribal council member for Shungnak, and federal Regional Advisory Council (RAC) member. Everything I have done is to help my people.
My past experience includes 22 years in the Army, working as a NANA Trespass Supervisor, and 15 years as Iñupiaq culture & language coordinator with the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. I continue to live an Iñupiaq way of life and enjoy taking kids out in the country to show them the way of life that I learned from my parents.
I currently serve on the Gates of the Arctic Subsistence Resource Commission and AIDEA Subsistence Committee and work to help my people preserve their resources and keep their language and culture alive. I’ve also served as a regional school board member, Shungnak tribal council member for Shungnak, and federal Regional Advisory Council (RAC) member. Everything I have done is to help my people.
My past experience includes 22 years in the Army, working as a NANA Trespass Supervisor, and 15 years as Iñupiaq culture & language coordinator with the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. I continue to live an Iñupiaq way of life and enjoy taking kids out in the country to show them the way of life that I learned from my parents.