Mission of Change is an oral history describing various types of change—political, social, cultural, and religious—as seen through the eyes of Father Astruc and Paul Dixon, non-Natives who dedicated their lives to working with the Yup’ik people. Their stories are framed by the an analytic history of regional changes, together with current anthropological theory on the nature of cultural change and the formation of cultural identity. The book presents a subtle and emotionally moving account of the region and the roles of two men, both of whom view issues from a Catholic perspective yet are closely attuned to and involved with changes in the Yup’ik community.

As a mythical creature, the whale has been responsible for many transformations in the world. It is an enchanting being that humans have long felt a connection to. In the contemporary environmental imagination, whales are charismatic megafauna feeding our environmentalism and aspirations for a better and more sustainable future. Using multispecies ethnography, Whale Snow explores how everyday the relatedness of the Iñupiat of Arctic Alaska and the bowhead whale forms and transforms “the human” through their encounters with modernity. Whale Snow shows how the people live in the world that intersects with other beings, how these connections came into being, and, most importantly, how such intimate and intense relations help humans survive the social challenges incurred by climate change. In this time of ecological transition, exploring multispecies relatedness is crucial as it keeps social capacities to adapt relational, elastic, and resilient. In the Arctic, climate, culture, and human resilience are connected through bowhead whaling. In Whale Snow we see how climate change disrupts this ancient practice and, in the process, affects a vital expression of Indigenous sovereignty. Ultimately, though, this book offers a story of hope grounded in multispecies resilience.

Includes the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Society.

Alex Hills traveled Alaska by bush plane and snow machine, braving extreme weather and rough terrain to bring telephone service to small villages across the big state. Then he developed a new public radio station to serve the people of Alaska’s huge northwest region. In Finding Alaska’s Villages Alex tells the story of how he helped the state’s telecom pioneers bring about an innovation that would forever change rural Alaska. It took some innovative technical work — and some convincing of government officials and corporate executives — to make it happen. The innovation was the introduction of the small satellite earth stations that would eventually make needed telecommunication services — two-way medical communication, a phone in every house and business, and radio and live television programs — available in Alaska’s villages.

Alaska Village Missions: The First 50 Years is a story of a man and his family seeking the will of God. Pastor Ray Arno left the small church he pastored in Wisconsin and made his way to the Alaskan frontier. Arno’s original intent was to serve in villages of Alaska, to see the Gospel message spread by whatever means possible. However, God had another plan in mind and would soon being to bring about the construction and birth of a Bible school in Homer, Alaska. Initially, God’s plan seemed to be a great struggle; however, as they patiently continued the work God had called them to, he provided resources, help, and the determination to stay the course. The stories and events that followed would not only stretch his faith and shock him, but they would also indelibly show off the power of the living God. God’s power remains in effect with Alaska Bible Institute, founded in 1965, and its parent organization, Alaska Village Mission, founded in ’64. Our hope in sharing this story is that it may bless, encourage, challenge, and inspire you to respond to the call God has for your life.