
VIP
Reception Guest

BRANDON PILI, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Of Iñupiaq and Samoan descent, Brandon Pili lived in Barrow for nine years and attended Ipalook Elementary School before moving to Anchorage in 2008. He graduated from Dimond High School and received a full scholarship to play football for the University of Southern California, where he attended from 2017-2022, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Non-Governmental Organizations. Pili was picked by the Miami Dolphins in the 2023 NFL Draft and just finished his second NFL season with the Seattle Seahawks.
Emcees

JENILEE IÑUURAQ DONOVAN
Current Miss Top of the World Jenilee Iñuuraq Donovan is the daughter of Michael Donovan III and Andrea Donovan of Utqiaġvik. She attended Peninsula Community College in Port Angeles, WA from 2022-2024. AEF has provided support toward Donovan achieving her educational goals, which she plans to continue at the University of Alaska Fairbanks while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. One of her goals as Miss Top of the World is to encourage youth to be more involved in community activities by supporting youth sports and camps.

MICHAEL QUUNIQ DONOVAN III
President and CEO of Eskimos Inc., Donovan is a Barrow whaling captain of Quuniq crew and currently serves as President of the Barrow Whaling Captains Association. He contributes to the region in many ways, including serving on the North Slope Borough Assembly, being active in the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission and much more. Quuniq has led by example in passing down Iñupiaq knowledge and values to future generations, hosting AEF’s Culture Camp for the past three years. Born and raised in Utqiaġvik, he is the son of Evelyn and the late Michael Donovan.
Keynote Address

ABRA NUNGASUK PATKOTAK
AEF’s 2024 Anaġi Award winner, Abra Patkotak is Iñupiaq from Utqiaġvik, AK and Gifford, ID. She has held many roles, including managing the Pre-maternal home for Utqiaġvik and surrounding North Slope communities. She is an Indigenous Full-Spectrum Birthworker, Doula, and Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community – a role through which she advances reproductive justice while serving Indigenous birthing people. With the support of AEF, Patkotak continues to further her education and career goals to create safer spaces for pregnant and parenting people.
Award Honorees

UMIALIK AWARD
Arctic Education Foundation’s annual Umialik Award honors an individual or organization that has exhibited leadership and stewardship in the Arctic community. In 2025, the Foundation proudly presents this honor to Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS). ICAS’s partnership with AEF has contributed substantially to the success of its Cultural Education Programs, including funding, staff, equipment and workshop support for AEF’s Culture Camp. ICAS also works with our scholarship team to bring in student trainees and continues to demonstrate its commitment to the partnership across many program areas.