Iñuuniałiqput (pronounced in-you-nay-thlik-put) means “Our way of life.” The Iñuuniałiqput Department is working to preserve and revitalize our Iñupiaq language, strengthen cultural ties through Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat, and promote the well-being of NANA Shareholders, their descendants, and dependents whether residing on our traditional lands of Northwest Alaska or beyond.

Annual efforts include outreach at regional basketball tournaments and SIVU Summer and provide support to in-region camps, Native Youth Olympic games, and the First Alaskans Elders and Youth Conference. In 2026, we held a two-week archiving workshop in partnership with Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University; partnered with the Northwest Arctic Borough School District on the creation, refinement, and organization of Iñupiaq language and cultural instructional and curriculum materials; and are assisting the Regional Elders Council to organize the Regional Elders and Youth Conference.

Iñupiat means “the Real People” and Iḷitqusiat means, “those things that make us who we are.” Our Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat outreach is based on traditional Iñupiaq values: 

• Respect for Elders 
• Respect for Nature 
• Respect for Others 
• Cooperation  
• Sharing  
• Avoid Conflict  
• Knowledge of the Iñupiaq Language 
• Knowledge of Family Tree 
• Hunter Success 
• Responsibility to Tribe  
• Love for Children 
• Domestic Skills  
• Family Roles  
• Humility  
• Humor 
• Hard Work 
• Spirituality  

Camp Sivuunigvik 

Generations of Iñupiat from northwest Alaska have benefited from the efforts of NANA leaders and Elders who created Camp Sivunniiġvik in 1982 as the home of Inupiat Ilitqusiat and the place where Inupiat values and traditional skills were first taught. Now 40+ years old, camp sessions were last held in 2021 as the facilities need costly repair or replacement for campers to safely return.  

Camp Sivunniiġvik is in the northern part of the Kobuk River delta, approximately 30 air miles east of Kotzebue, Alaska. It is a 1.5-hour boat ride one way from Kotzebue and 45-minutesby boat from Noorvik. The camp site was chosen by the NANA Regional Elders Council for its proximity to wood and nearby streams for good drinking water and for its higher elevation which protects it from flooding.  

Sivunniiġvik means “the planning place.” During the early 1980’s, Camp Sivunniiġvik was born from the vision of our Inupiaq Elders and the hard work of our NANA leaders under the helm of Robert Aqqaluk Newlin, Sr. The spirit of Camp Sivunniiġvik is the heart of the Iñupiat Ilitqusiat values. From the very beginning, the camp bridged the gap between the old ways and modern times. Our Elders wanted to create a culture camp to bring our youth to the center of who we are as Iñupiat and the old ways of our ancestors. Iñupiaq identity is realized not only through classroom type activities, but hands-on traditional and cultural activities such as fishnet setting, cutting and preparing fish and other wild game, gathering and chopping wood, picking berries and greens, setting snares and traps, and Iñupiaq dancing and singing. Inupiaq cultural continuity, or being who we are in our genetic makeup, is foundational to our emotional and social wellbeing. 

Camp Sivunniiġvik is spread over several acres with the two main focal points being the main camp facility and the boat landing. There is also a side building that houses the generator and small engine repair shop. Near the main facility are five small two-bed log cabins connected by the wooden boardwalk. In front of the facility, there are seven tent frames for seasonal summer campers. The large main building is divided into two large areas, separated by an adjoining hallway and entry. One-half is a large meeting room and the other half is divided into a residence living room and a small commercial kitchen.  

SIVU Summer 

Aqqaluk Trust started SIVU summer in 2022 to provide Iñupiaq Iḷitqusiat-focused activities. The SIVU Summer kits include an instruction booklet, t-shirt, and activity supplies. More than 1,000 participants from 352 families have signed up for the 2026 kits.  The theme is Ilatka – All My Relations. Support for the program comes from NANA, Maniilaq Workforce Development and in-kind freight donations from Bering Air.