Katie was elected to the SNC Board of Directors September, 25, 2021. Katie ran for the SNC board because she wanted to serve the local, Inupiaq community members in a positive way to help sustain and grow our resources for our current community, but also for the many more generations to come. Her father, Franklin Okleasik, Sr., came to Nome (Sitnasuak) from Mary’s Igloo when he was two years old and was a lifelong resident of Nome. Her mother, LaVonne Okleasik, came to Nome as a teacher in 1963 and immersed herself in our community. Both her parents taught her to love and be thankful for the beauty of where we live – the people, the land, the values, the language, and the culture. Her parents have since passed away, and she is here growing older with age and wiser with experiences that are propelling her into seeking ways to perpetuate the beautiful ways that Sitnasuak/Nome can nurture our well beings, families, our community, and our culture.
