Who We Are
Strengthening identity, opportunity, and well-being across the Calista Region.
Our Mission
Calistem nunautaini yuut kevgiurnaluki piciryaraput kinguvarrluki, eguaqurluki elitnaullerkaatnun, Yuuyaraq-llu nutemllaq ciutmuaruqu’urluku, ciunerkamta akwarpak elluagurallerkaa pitekluku.
To serve the people of the Calista region by preserving culture, empowering education, and facilitating Yuuyaraq, our traditional Way of Being, to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future.
Caliamta Kangiit
Calisteni Education & Culture-aani tangrruaraput kinguliaput asvaunaki Yuuyaram tukniciakun, yuuluaqerluteng-llu asvailucirteng, yuuteseng, piciryaramegteggun-llu ataucimungqacirteng arcaqakluki.
Calista Education and Culture envisions future generations rooted in the strength of Yuuyaraq, thriving in a world that celebrated sustainability, purpose, and cultural unity.
Ciunerkamteni Tangrruarutput
Our Vision
Calisteni Education & Culture-aani Caliamteńi Arcaqakekput
CEC Strategic Priorities
Piciryaraput Qelkurluki
Yuuyaraput igaulluki saggluki-llu.
Preserving Culture
Documenting and sharing our Way of Being
Yup’ut eguaqurluki elitnaullerkaitgun, pingnatullerkaitgun-llu.
Eguaquutekluku Elitnaullerkaat
Educational Empowerment
Empowering our People through education and promoting self-determination.
Yuuyarakun Alerquiyaraq
Yup’ut Yuuyaramteńek alerqurturluki.
Yuuyaraq Guidance
Teaching our People the Way of Being.
Meet the Team
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Qevlialria
Denise Brown-Chythlook
President / Executive Director907-275-2814
denise.brownchythlook@calistacorp.com -
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Laurie Evans-Dinneen
Development Director907-275-2804
laurie.evansdinneen@calistacorp.com -
Capenruilnguq
Jenine Heakin
Yuuyaraq Liaison907-536-2017
jenine.heakin@calistacorp.com -
Kangrilnguq
Dave Lamothe
Special Projects907-275-2885
david.lamothe@calistacorp.com -
Paniyagaq
Elizabeth Martz
Community Engagment Manager907-565-6052
elizabeth.martz@calistacorp.com -
Atmak / Qulic’aq
Annie Pavilla
Student Liaison907-565-6045
annie.pavilla@calistacorp.com -
Cacuaq
Alice Rearden
Cultural Engagement Manager907-275-2839
alice.rearden@calistacorp.com -
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Robyn Kugtsun
Executive Assistant907-275-2938
robyn.kugtsun@calistacorp.com -
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Sven Williams
Administrative Assistant
907-565-6043
sven.williams@calistacorp.com -
Brandon Delkittie
Community Engagement Program Coordinator
907-275-2883
brandon.delkittie@calistacorp.com -
Al'aq
Corey Joseph
Translator/Transcriber907-275-2958
corey.joseph@calistacorp.com
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Johnnie Evan | Chairman
Earl Samuelson, Sr. | Vice Chairman
Tisha Kuhns | Secretary
Francis Thompson | Treasurer
Andrew Guy | Director
Ruth Jimmie | Director
Nick Andrew, Sr. | Director
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Francis Thompson | Chairman
Ruth Jimmie | Vice Chairman
George Morgan | Member
Annie Cleveland | Member
Marie Meade | Member
IN MEMORIAM
Miisaq Mark John
Cultural Advisor
Ciuliamta erinii nepairut’nge’rmi, qaruyutii piurturciquq.
“Though our Elder’s voice is silent, their guidance will continue on.”
CEC honors the life and legacy of Mark John, a revered Elder and teacher whose guidance shaped the work we do every day at CEC. During his tenure as our Cultural Advisor he was an integral thread in the very fabric of this organization. We honor Miisaq’s legacy by continuing to commit ourselves to living and practicing Yuuyaraq.
OUR HISTORY
Honoring Our Past, Empowering Our Future
For more than four decades, Calista Education & Culture (CEC) has built on the vision of our Elders and leaders — uniting education, culture, and identity to strengthen the people of the Calista Region. From the first scholarships to modern cultural education initiatives, each milestone reflects a shared purpose:
to live Yuuyaraq.
The Symbolism of Our Logo
Each element of the CEC logo carries meaning that reflects the unity of people, land, and language:
The Calista Education & Culture logo annotated to show the cultural meaning of its symbols.
QUYANATogether we sustain education, culture, and connection across the Calista Region.
