I grew up in Hooper Bay, Alaska. I am part Cup’ik and Yup’ik and grew up speaking both languages. I was a Yup’ik language instructor in Hooper Bay. I loved my job and loved sharing, reading and writing the Yup’ik language. My first teachers were my grandma Cimiciaq, the late Natalia Hunter Smith and my parents, the late George and Theresa Moses. My Yup’ik language teachers were the late Mr. Andy Paukan, Mr. Steven Jacobsen, Mrs. Sophie Alexie and Mr. Oscar Alexie.

I didn’t want to leave Hooper Bay. However, my husband Mark was eager to move to Bethel and find employment. I struggled to raise my little ones where there was no running water. I had to haul my own fuel and run to the dump to haul trash and waste. Moving to Bethel was a tough decision, as I loved my job and my community in Hooper Bay.

After moving to Bethel, I changed my mind about being a stay at home mom and explored work opportunities. Mark was helpful in my job search. In my first job, I worked as a physical therapy assistant in the Family Infant, Toddler (FIT) program. I enjoyed travelling to the villages and working with the little ones. However, the end of FIT grant funding left me looking for another job and that is when my journey with McCann Treatment Center (MTC) began.

I currently work as a Psychiatric Technician Senior at MTC, a role I have served in for well over 10 years. I assist teenagers with overcoming behavioral and substance use disorders. MTC also assists residents in acquiring high school credits to graduate. In classroom settings, I share my skills in language instruction and hands on work on fur hats, qaspeq, and bead work with residents.

The residents really enjoy the inclusion of culture in the classroom and they have worked hard and accomplished a lot while getting more familiar with various aspects of their culture. Additionally, they have created cultural items that they are proud to showcase.

I love working at the McCann Treatment Center and helping our valued youth in their quest to heal and become contributing citizens in their families and communities.