The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) in Anchorage, Alaska, plays an integral role in preserving the rich heritage of Alaska's indigenous peoples. This cultural institution provides a platform for both education and the celebration of the diverse traditions, languages, and arts that comprise the Alaska Native cultural landscape.
In line with its mission to honor and preserve the culture of Alaska Native peoples, the ANHC has established two community recognition awards: the Paul Tiulana Elder Award and the Autumn Apok Ridley Youth Recognition Award. These awards aim to honor individuals who embody the spirit of Alaska Native culture and demonstrate exceptional commitment to its preservation and promotion.
The Autumn Apok Ridley Award, named in honor of a former ANHC intern and a world record holder in numerous Native Games, celebrates a youth aged between 0 to 27 years old who exhibits a deep love for their culture and ways of life. This award particularly acknowledges the energy and dedication of young advocates, who, through their actions and teachings, are crucial to the cultural continuity and pride of the Alaska Native community.
The inaugural recipient of the Autumn Apok Ridley Award, announced on April 14, 2023, is Sam Schimmel, a young man with deep familial roots in Gambell and the Kenai Peninsula. Schimmel, of Siberian Yupik and Kenaitze Indian heritage, has distinguished himself as a determined advocate for Indigenous cultural pride and identity. His commitment to sharing Native values and his respect for traditional ways of life have garnered him this prestigious acknowledgment from the ANHC.
Schimmel’s formative years were shaped by the wisdom of Elders, who instilled in him a profound understanding of Native customs and the importance of reciprocity within the community. His academic journey took him to Stanford University, where he majored in Political Science. He is currently pursuing law studies at Georgetown University. His plan is to serve at the Alaska Native Justice Center later in the year.
One of Schimmel’s notable contributions to his community was the coordination of Operation Fish Drop in 2021 – a youth-led initiative that provided over 12,000 pounds of salmon to Alaska Native families during a period of significant salmon scarcity and the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. His efforts not only addressed immediate food security needs but also reinforced the cultural significance of subsistence foods and practices.
The impact of Schimmel’s work extends beyond immediate relief; it also fosters the transmission of traditional knowledge, as evidenced by the elders who received the fish and committed to teaching their grandchildren the proper ways of processing and preserving it. These acts of sharing and teaching are vital to the survival and thriving of Native culture in Alaska.
The ANHC's recognition of Schimmel’s contributions through the Autumn Apok Ridley Award is a testament to the enduring values of cultural pride, identity, and the promise of knowledge being passed down through generations. The Center continues to be a beacon for cultural preservation, and with the establishment of these community awards, it reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the leaders and caretakers of Alaska's Native heritage.
