Bristol Bay Foundation

06/11/2026

Throwback to 2024 when our President, Aleesha Towns-Bain, was named a YWCA Alaska Woman of Achievement. She continues to embody the qualities that earned her that recognition as she steers Bristol Bay Foundation toward fulfilling its mission.

06/11/2026

High school students interested in learning about land stewardship, activism, and leadership should apply to attend the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action 2026 Youth Organizer Summit. Current AYEA students chose Land Stewardship as this year's theme because connecting with and stewarding the land is crucial in creating resilient, healthy communities.

The Summit is open to rising 9th - 12th graders. To apply, visit: bit.ly/yo-summit2026

06/09/2026

Looking to learn more about your culture? Want to connect with your region at a deeper level? Do you have insights into the future of our organization? Do you enjoy meeting and spending time with others connected to Bristol Bay?

If this sounds like you, consider joining the Bristol Bay Foundation Board of Directors! As a member of the board, you will:

📝 Serve as an advocate and ambassador for BBF and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary to advance its mission

📝 Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve BBF’s mission

📝 Help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing, and can influence public policy

📝 Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings

📝 Participate fully in one or more committees

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume outlining your education, work history, community involvement, and non-profit experience, if any. All materials must be submitted to Aleesha Towns-Bain at [email protected] by July 1, 2026, at 5pm Alaska time.

For more information, including a complete description of the position, visit our website at: https://www.bristolbayfoundation.org/working-with-us

06/08/2026

Middle school slang knows no languages barrier. 😁

06/08/2026

This sounds like a wonderful class!

Explore the connections between food, culture, identity, and sustainability in Alaska! 🍓🐟🦌

This online course examines food sovereignty and food security through Alaska Native knowledge, traditional foods, environmental stewardship, and contemporary challenges facing communities across the state.

💻 Online (Attend from anywhere)
📅 Sept. 9 – Dec. 5, 2026
✅ Counts toward General Education requirements

For registration information, contact the campus:
907-842-5109 or [email protected].

06/03/2026

Since 2018, Neqa in Bristol Bay has been the Bristol Bay Foundation's signature fundraising event. Initially conceived as a derby, it transitioned to a networking event in 2023. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $1 million in support of the Foundation's mission to provide higher education and vocational training scholarships to BBNC shareholders and descendants and to support cultural heritage activities in the Bristol Bay region. This year's event is scheduled to take place June 13-16 and June 16-20 at Kulik Lodge on the shore of Nonvianuk Lake.

This annual event wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our corporate sponsors and in-kind donors. Quyana for your continued support of our region and our mission.

06/03/2026

This month’s Student Spotlight is recent college graduate Meadow Phelps, who is ready to write the next chapter of her life’s story and put her new skills to work in Alaska.

Meadow left her hometown of Naknek to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business marketing at San Diego State University. Her career choice was inspired by her experiences growing up in Bristol Bay.

“I was motivated to pursue business marketing because I’ve always been interested in how brands connect with people and tell meaningful stories,” she says. “Growing up in Bristol Bay and being involved in commercial fishing, I saw firsthand how important it is to represent a community and communicate its value.”

Meadow says her time at SDSU taught her to think more strategically and gave her valuable communication and problem-solving skills.

“Moving away from Alaska and experiencing a new environment pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she says. “I’ve become more independent, confident, and open to new experiences.”

Meadow wants to use her marketing skills to represent and support communities that matter to her, like Bristol Bay and the commercial fishing industry. She hopes to share stories that raise awareness about the importance of sustainability.

Congratulations, Meadow, on your graduation! We look forward to seeing what amazing stories you share in Alaska.

06/02/2026

Connect science to our traditional way of life at the Yuuyararta Science Camp this August at Camp Gibraltar in Kokhanok. The five-day camp brings together Bristol Bay residents, BBNC shareholders, and scientists to learn how to protect traditional ways through cultural practice and environmental science, and to showcase regional career paths.

The camp is all-expenses paid with an honorarium provided. It's limited to 12 participants, and registration closes June 15; visit the link below to register.

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019de41c1a4e742a9afa14a50aed69e9

06/01/2026

❤️ this!

🐠 Hosting our 2nd Annual Setnet Fishing Workshop - Wednesday June 24, 2026 with support from The CIRI Foundation!

Welcome Alaska Native and American Indian participants (ages 12+) to apply for a one-day, hand-on setnet fishing workshop focused on cultural connection and traditional knowledge.

🔹️Learn how to set and harvest a net
🔹️Process fish
🔹️Go home with the fish you helped catch
🔹️Intergenerational learning encouraged

🌟 Space is limited and participants will be selected. Participants are responsible for travel.

🐟 Submit your application by scanning the QR code or following the link below:

https://forms.gle/CgEqdczriiNWL65UA

06/01/2026

Free language class!

Come Learn Yugtun at the Bristol Bay Museum!

We are thrilled to welcome back Qukituq Keyaana Anderson as our Summer Outreach Coordinator, with big thanks to Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation for supporting this position through their Seasonal Employment Program!

🗣️✨ In support of Keyaana’s required language practicum hours through Fort Lewis College’s BLOOM program, Qukituq Keyaana Anderson will be teaching FREE Bristol Bay Dialect Yugtun classes hosted at the Bristol Bay Historical Society Museum after our regular visiting hours.

📅 Classes are running through August 20th and will be held:
• Thursdays | 5:00–6:00 PM
• Saturdays | 4:30–5:30 PM

📝 How to Sign Up:
Scan the QR code on the flyer to fill out the interest questionnaire, or contact BBHS staff directly:

📧 [email protected]
📞 907-246-6873

📚 Attendance at every class is not required — however, the more you attend, the more you will learn!

💻 Online accommodations are available via Zoom.

❤️Quyana to Qukituq Keyaana Anderson and mentor Mall’u Fransisca Demoski for helping support language learning and cultural knowledge in our community❤️