Reporting on Native issues
April has sought out stories about Native Americans and Alaska Natives, two groups which are underrepresented in news reporting.
Encouraging rural Alaska’s students to become teachers
In Alaska, roughly three out of four teachers are from out of state, and more likely to stay for a shorter period of time than those who were born and raised there. April reported from the town of Dillingham, where educators are trying to encourage local and Alaska Native students to consider teaching in communities where they are desperately needed.
Trevor Akelkok and Jesse Noden are drumming as their class practices a Yu’pik song and dance at Dillingham High School. Photo by Mike Fritz.
In rural Alaska, embracing Native culture during and after the school bell
The large kitchen and dining area of the Williams home in Dillingham, Alaska, is the center of activity after school. Sassa Williams, 18, and her siblings, triplets Theresa, Chris and Grant, 14, sit at the large table doing homework. Sassa, who is considering becoming a teacher, often gets out of her own chair and walks over to her brothers or sister when one has a question.
Melting ice could erode way of life for Alaska's North Slope
More than 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Alaska's North Slope is ground zero for global climate change. April Brown reported on how the melting ice has opened up opportunity for shipping and other development -- industry that could be catastrophic for the way of life of residents.