Emily Schwing
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U.S. schools can make use of special visas to hire teachers from other countries. In some rural school districts in Alaska, foreign teachers make up over half the staff.
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In the northernmost town in the U.S., there's no Santa's workshop. But there is a unique maker's space where Indigenous artists can come anytime to make traditional artwork.
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A nationwide shotgun shell shortage is making it harder for Alaska Natives to hunt for food. Migratory birds are a main source of sustenance for many rural communities at this time of year.
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A storm that hit western Alaska last month severely damaged the tiny Native village of Newtok. Prior to the storm, residents had already begun relocating the village to higher ground.
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Spring comes late to western Alaska and brings a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Citizen scientists use traditional knowledge to predict river breakup and flooding for dozens of remote communities.
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Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race gets underway in March. Officials require participants to be vaccinated. Mushers also won't stop at one remote community to avoid possibly spreading the virus.
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As pandemic restrictions loosen, tourists flock to Jack Sprat, a restaurant in Girdwood, Alaska. But like many businesses in resort towns, it's having trouble hiring servers as the economy rebounds. -
The price of lumber has more than doubled during the pandemic. Now people are turning to extreme DIY for building projects. Instead of buying boards, they're buying their own sawmills. -
Native American tribal members in the Pacific Northwest host an annual karaoke contest to keep their indigenous language, Salish, alive. -
Warm temperatures and dwindling snow have shaken even the toughest mushers. Alaskans are worried about the future of their state sport.
