Who We Are
Strengthening identity, opportunity, and well-being across the Calista Region.
Yuuyaramun
Yuum Ayuqucia
Our Mission
Calista’m avatiini uitalriit kevgiullrat piciryaramteggun, cumigutii eliiqurallrat, Yuuyaram elitnaurutiikun elluarlluni ciunerkaatnun.
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.
Yuuyaramun Ciunerkaq
Our Vision
Calista Education and Culture-aam tangruarutii ciunerkamtenun Yuuyaram pinia aturluku, elluarluteng yuuluteng, picirkiuterluteng, piciyaramteggun atauciurluteng.
Calista Education and Culture envisions future generations rooted in the strength of Yuuyaraq, thriving in a world that celebrated sustainability, purpose, and cultural unity.
Ciunerkiungnaqellerkam piiyutii
CEC Strategic Priorities
Gekuralilara piciryaraput
Igatgun gekurluki piciryaraput.
Preserving Culture
Documenting and sharing our Way of Being
Elitnaurutem cumigutellra
Ciumarluki yuut elitnaulerkaatnun.
Educational Empowerment
Empowering our People through education and promoting self-determination.
Yuuyaraq aturluku ciuliqagluki
Igatgun qelkurluki piciryaraput.
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
Program Director / Special Projects907-275-2885
david.lamothe@calistacorp.com -
Aguaiyaq / Ayagina’ar
John Lamont
Education Liaison907-565-6041
john.lamont@calistacorp.com -
Paniyagaq
Elizabeth Martz
Community Engagment Manager907-565-6052
elizabeth.martz@calistacorp.com -
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Mona Paukan
Community Engagement Program Coordinator907-275-2883
mona.paukan@calistacorp.com -
Atmak / Qulic’aq
Annie Pavilla
Student Liaison907-565-6045
annie.pavilla@calistacorp.com -
Cacuaq
Alice Rearden
Cultural Advisor -
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Robyn Kugtsun
Administrative Analyst907-275-2938
robyn.kugtsun@calistacorp.com -
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Sven Williams
Administrative Assistant
907-565-6043
sven.williams@calistacorp.com
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Chair — Johnnie Evan
Vice Chair — Earl Samuelson Sr.
Secretary / Treasurer — Tisha Kuhns
Director — Andrew Guy
Director — Francis Thompson
Director — Nick Andrew Sr.
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Annie Cleveland
Ruth Jimmie
Marie Meade
George Morgan
Francis Thompson
IN MEMORIAM
Miisaq Mark John
Cultural Advisor
Ciuliamta eriinii nep'airutngermi, 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.
