Welcome to my world.

Welcome to my online journal. A way to share thoughts and information that is longer than a 140 characters. A way to honor my Amau (great-Grandfather), who kept a personal journal. His journal was stolen from him, though. It was made into a book, Ahkiviak. My family still has not gotten his personal journal back, yet hopefully we will someday. As I begin this daily online practice, I think about my Amau, and how he thoughtfully wrote his daily ideas and reflections down. I do this in part for his memory, and in part for my own, a living extension of him, as he and I have the same Iñupiaq name, Akootchook.

I am writing this from inside an airplane, up up in the sky. My Amau loved to travel, as do I. He used to walk hours upon hours in the Arctic to go "get a stick of butter" from the neighboring village in Canada. I am in the process of returning back to Alaska from my trip to Washington, DC for the Native Nations Rise Camp and March. My experience of the camp and march was deeply healing. I made new friends, got to see longtime friends, and left inspired to do more organizing at home, in Alaska.

Now, I am having a long layover in Seattle, where I will meet to work with my longtime collaborator, WD4D. We are working on a music project together. I rap as animals, as an Ancestor. He creates brilliant sonic universes, sampling my traditional music. I feel very honored to know him and work with him for so long.

Once again, welcome to my world. Hope you visit awhile. Quyanaqpak.