About Nellie "Unangik" Jimmie

I am Yup'ik, Ojibwa, and Lakota Indigenous, my parents are Alexie Jimmie (from Toksook Bay) and Aleta Jimmie (from L'Anse, Michigan). I have lived a majority of my life in Alaska, with much of it residing in Bethel and Toksook Bay (where I currently live). I have also lived in Anchorage and Palmer. Growing up in Alaska has grounded me in my Traditional values and has provided me the guidance to meet the challenges our communities face. I grew up subsisting: hunting, fishing, and gathering; and continue to practice my Traditional way of living today. 

In addition to my love for subsistence activities, my hobbies include knitting musk ox qiviut, sewing seal fur hats and mittens, quspeqs, dance fans and headdresses, as well as Yuraq dancing for the Nunakauyak Dance Group. 

Education has been a valuable and important part of my life. I graduated from Nelson Island High School in Toksook Bay, attended the University of Pheonix, and graduated from the Alaska Job Corps Center in 2000. In addition to my western education, I believe it is important to continuously learn from our elders-they provide our Indigenous People with so much Traditional Knowledge, experience, and guidance to continue to live off of our Traditional Homelands for the next 10,000-plus years.