IMPACT
Akima Gives was created to benefit the NANA Region in Northwest Alaska. Owing to the generosity of its sponsoring company, Akima, 100% of public donations go directly to funding vital projects. Akima employees have a long history of giving to causes in the region, and have raised over $500,000 for charitable causes supporting the Iñupiat in the last 10 years.
Education
Summer Camps for Youth
Akima employees raised $40,000 for summer camps in the NANA Region – Kattivik Camp and Camp Sivu – which provide youth in the region with meaningful opportunities to learn Iñupiaq traditions and skills taught by elders, to enjoy the outdoors in a nurturing environment, to build lasting friendships, and to gain cultural knowledge.
Education, Language, & Training
The Aqqaluk Trust funds scholarships, professional training, and language enrichment for NANA shareholders and has received more than $70,000 in employee donations from Akima through numerous fundraising activities.
Cultural Revitalization
Critical Communication & Cultural Connection
Akima employees raised $134,500 to help KOTZ radio continue in its vital mission as the NANA Region’s only radio station and the main source for news and information for most residents of Northwest Alaska — many of whom do not have cell phones or internet access. The station also helps preserve Iñupiaq heritage through programs like the Iñupiaq Story Hour, when listeners can hear stories in their native language.
Supporting Local Iñupiaq Artists
Akima’s silent auctions have typically featured artwork, jewelry, tools, and cultural items handcrafted by Iñupiaq artisans who live in and sell their work in Alaska. We also purchase and auction off other items such as books by Iñupiaq authors, traditional clothing handmade in the region, and animal pelts.
Healthy Communities
Health and Wellbeing for Elders
During the COVID pandemic, elders in the NANA Region were particularly at risk. In the summer of 2020, Akima employees donated $60,000 to purchase and distribute health kits to elders so families living in remote villages could self-monitor for symptoms.
Suicide Prevention
Through multiple fundraisers over the last decade, Akima employees have raised more than $174,000 for the Maniilaq Association Behavioral Health Suicide Prevention Program, which raises suicide prevention awareness and offers critical related support services in the NANA Region of Northwest Alaska. Through awareness programs such as Walk for Life, and life-saving services such as crisis counseling, Maniilaq provides vital mental health support to every village.
Youth Athletics
Akima has donated more than $285,000 to two NANA Region organizations that offer healthy, positive activities for youth: the Northwest Arctic Borough School District’s annual youth basketball tournament and NANA Nordic, which teaches youth to ski. These activities promote healthy habits, exercise, and a positive self-image for the region’s children.
With the establishment of Akima Gives, we can go even further. Please donate and join us as we work to support the Iñupiat, preserving their invaluable heritage and nurturing a thriving community where tradition and innovation coexist harmoniously.
