Overview
Overview
The Azachorok Foundation is a 501c (3) charitable non-profit organization that serves the Central Yupik people of Mountain Village, Alaska. The organization was founded in January 2016 by Azachorok Incorporated, an Alaska Native Village Corporation, and was officially established as the charitable organization it is today in 2019.
Azachorok Foundation accepts philanthropic contributions that advance Azachorok’s vision to support economic development while sustaining cultural traditions in an area that has been underserved for generations. Since its inception, the foundation has supported post-secondary educational pursuits, innovative economic development initiatives, and survivor benefits for more than 500 shareholders across Alaska including Anchorage and the community of Mountain Village with a population of more than 800 people located in Western Alaska.
Any additional investment and partnerships we receive will lead to incredible positive changes to Mountain Village and the region's economic stability. As a part of Alaska's most economically challenged territory, the Azachorok Foundation is building a network of partners to invest in sustainable economic development to increase the status quo and quality of life in Kusilvak communities and stakeholders residing in the Anchorage area.
Education
Education is a lifelong journey, and a core belief of the Foundation is to support our shareholders and their educational pursuits. We believe that education is the key to solving our shareholder communities' most complex challenges.
According to the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, the U.S. Congress found that “true self determination of any society is dependent upon the educational process which will ensure the development of qualified people to fulfil meaningful leadership roles.” To date, we have awarded approximately $50,000 in scholarships and helped dozens of shareholders and descendants in reaching their educational goals of obtaining bachelor’s degrees and graduating from accredited universities in Alaska and in the Lower 48.
Furthermore, Azachorok Foundation also recognizes the need to support access to books. A study conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures shows that Native Americans and Alaska Natives often perform two to three grade levels below the national average. Unfortunately, indigenous tribal members are also two times more likely to drop out of school than the national average. One of the goals of Azachorok Foundation is to provide a public library as a resource harboring change and inspiring young minds for years to come.
Cultural Preservation
The average household income is less than $36,500 per year, the lowest in Alaska and among the lowest in the country. Much of Azachorok Foundation’s constituents reside in the Kusilvak region where 92% of the population of the region is Yupik and Alaska Native, among the highest percentage in the country for an indigenous population.
Azachorok has led several initiatives that reflect the collective interest of the Kusilvak region and has taken on a leading role in advancing economic development initiatives in this entire region serving 13 communities and more than 8,000 people.
Unfortunately, one of the side effects or symptoms of life in an underserved and marginalized area is the high mortality rates. Communities served by Azachorok Foundation are eligible for funding for holistic health and wellness programs that improve the living conditions while preserving cultural traditions and supporting families coping with the loss of loved ones.
With contributions that support cultural preservation, funds not only help families cover costs for burial assistance, but also provide solutions to reduce and prevent suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, and domestic violence. Azachorok Foundation also recognizes the importance of documenting the history of our lineages, cultural practices, and ways of life. Funds used for cultural preservation will allow families to document their family lineages at gravesites and work with the community to develop and maintain their cultural history. Funds for this program will also help alleviate and address the high rates of suicide.
We support teen-led projects that empower young leaders to be engaged in projects that provide healthy activities that create positive upbringing that is also culturally relevant.
Economic Development
There are many opportunities for creative and innovative projects that support the local economy while also advancing cultural practices. Sadly, many of the traditional practices that are crucial for cultural and healthy identities are not being practiced and these critical customs are being threatened as we adapt to a more modern and western way of life.
Azachorok Foundation believes that investing in our people and culture will sustain our traditional ways and increase the conditions in our communities. This foundation would like to support projects that employ cultural bearers to work with the younger generations in areas of native language restoration, native arts & crafts, native dancing and storytelling to name a few. We also believe that we can further create jobs that support our subsistence way of life. There are so many opportunities to create win-win situations for these forgotten tribal communities.
We would like to provide opportunities for several knowledge and cultural bearers to teach the younger generations survival skills like proper hunting and fishing lessons and techniques and for the younger generation to educate the older generation of shared values using technology. As we create opportunities to preserve cultural heritage, we also understand we can use today’s modern technology to adapt and restore the same valuable customs and traditions.
Climate and Environment
The communities of Kusilvak depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems in order to thrive. The impacts of climate change are being felt in the region including diminishing returns of salmon along the Yukon River, increased forest fires during summer months and thawing of the permafrost in the tundra landscape that dominates the region.
We have a duty to share our climate change stories from an indigenous perspective and promote responsible and sustainable development of our resources. Azachorok Foundation has realistic approaches to address environmental issues and support cleaner energy.
The Foundation is well positioned to incorporate renewable energy opportunities with local buildings and infrastructure. We believe solar, wind, and river turbines are opportunities that are all feasible and the technology is ready now. Cleaner energy aligns with a more just transition towards greener jobs correlating with our cultural values. Azachorok Foundation would like to prioritize green jobs and assist local businesses towards increased environmental stewardship. We are well positioned to sequester carbon by making our town beautiful.
Our Foundation is launching a 1,000 trees strong initiative to help plant 1,000 new trees in the Mountain Village area. These trees will serve as a job training program for youth, beautify our town, and create a source of pride for the community well into the future.
Support Our Mission
Despite these challenges and hardships endured, the perseverance of those served by the Azachorok Foundation remains strong and resilient, much like the Kusilvak Mountains. Although we have been through decades of marginalization and disenfranchisement, we believe that innovative projects and pragmatic solutions through philanthropic contributions will enable us to fulfill our mission and improve the lives of our shareholder communities.
We have the tools but need more resources that will enable us to move forward to protect our ways of life and advance us towards a renewed sense of community in the 21st century. With more investments in our communities and culture, the only way is upward.
Our Vision
We envision our communities living in healthy families living in decent homes and with access to healthy food and quality healthcare. We envision increased jobs and the income to support higher education. We envision our communities having the resources such as libraries and reliable broadband and internet to better inform them of the news of the world and how it impacts them.
We envision a community that participates in civic engagement and identifies candidates and the ability to grow our own leaders that will represent our interests in all facets of government. We envision whole and healthy elders, adults, young adults and children that have the potential to be leaders in communities addressing climate change, social justice and systemic racism and awaken many towards a common goal of self-determination and sovereignty in our tribal nations
Meet the Board of Directors
Peter Andrews
Peter Andrews
Peter Andrews
Chairman
Anita Andrews
Peter Andrews
Peter Andrews
Treasurer
Shirley Kowchee
Shirley Kowchee
Shirley Kowchee
Secretary
Heather Polty
Shirley Kowchee
Shirley Kowchee
Vice Chairman