Announcing the launch of the AAOKH Endowment Fund

Guy Omnik looking towards sunset at the ice edge holding stick with "Announcing the AAOKH Endowment" in the top left.

📢📢 We have big news!! Support AAOKH today to sustain your impact for generations! AAOKH launched the Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub Endowment Fund aimed at sustaining and strengthening Indigenous self-determination in Arctic research and Indigenous-led stewardship of the Alaska Arctic environment. You can support and help us build on a collaborative network of Inupiaq…

Spring 2025 Newsletter

A seal lying on top of ice looking at camera.

We are very excited to share our latest edition of AAOKH news! This newsletter features project highlights and updates, including: introductions for our newest observers in Point Lay and Wainwright (yay!), our work with local youth to monitor ice conditions in Kotzebue Sound, and key observing highlights from January to May 2025. We also introduce…

Kimberly Kivvaq Pikok defends her M.S. Thesis

Kimberly Kivvaq Pikok standing on grass with caribou in the distance.

We are so proud of Kimberly Kivvaq Pikok, who defended her Master of Science Thesis in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Fairbanks Alaska on October 1, 2024. Kim delivered her defense titled “Centering community and joy through co-production: Tracking the seasonal changes of Utqiagvik’s spring whaling” from her Iñupiaq homelands in Utqiagvik, Alaska with…

New spring sea ice trail maps for Utqiaġvik whalers

We’re happy to share updated final maps (as of Thursday April 25) and photos of Utqiaġvik spring whaling trails. These maps include trail locations as well as sea ice thickness along each trail. You can use the QR codes to load these maps on your phone or other mobile device using the Avenza App. Josh…

Bears on the ice in early March

Polar bear walks across ice. Taken 04/03/2017.

March 4, 2017 — Location Browerville, light west winds, temperature -4 F, clear and visibility was more than 8 miles. The bears are in and on the shorefast ice as they do that when south and west winds prevail.