Vera Metcalf facts for kids

Vera Kingeekuk Metcalf, born in 1951, is a special teacher and leader. She works hard to protect the old ways and languages of Alaska Native people. In 2019, she was honored in the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Learning

Vera was born in a place called Sivungaq, also known as Savoonga. This is on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Even when she was in school, she helped teachers. She would change lessons into the Yupik language. This helped other students understand better. In 1991, she earned her college degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Helping Her Community

Vera Metcalf has done a lot to help her community.

Bringing Ancestors Home

She worked for the Bering Straits Foundation. There, she helped bring back the bones of ancestors. These remains were held in museums far away. Through her efforts, nearly 1000 ancestral remains came back to St. Lawrence Island. This was done under a law called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Protecting Walrus Hunting

In 2002, Vera became the head of the Eskimo Walrus Commission. In this role, she helps keep the rights of Alaska Native people. They have a right to hunt walrus for food. They also have a right to carve walrus ivory. She teaches about how ships and planes can harm walruses. Vera also keeps track of how many walruses are hunted. This is important because less sea ice makes hunting harder. This means less food for the community. She once said she speaks for her community, not just for herself.

Working with Leaders

In 2006, President George W. Bush chose Vera to join the United States Arctic Research Commission. This group helps guide research in the Arctic.

Easier Travel for Families

In 2015, Vera worked with the United States Department of State. They helped make it easier for people to travel across the Bering Strait. This allows families in the area to visit each other more easily.

Sharing Ocean Knowledge

Vera shares her traditional knowledge about the ocean. She attends public events to stress the need for local people to help. They can help understand how climate change affects the environment. She is also a member of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. She works to increase knowledge about native languages. This includes the Yupik language she speaks. In 2021, she joined a research project. It will study how changes in sea ice affect ocean animals. It will also look at how this impacts hunting for food.

Awards and Honors

Vera Metcalf has received many awards for her important work.

In 2003, she won an American Book Award. This was for a book she co-wrote. The book was called Akuzilleput igaqullghet = Our words put to paper. In 2008, she received the Sea Award. This is part of the Women of Discovery Awards. In 2019, Vera was chosen for the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame. Alice Green nominated her for this honor.