Biography

Laureli is an Inupiaq/Yup’ik writer and James Beard Award-winning journalist who grew up in Unalakleet. She and her children are members of the Native Village of Unalakleet, the southern-most Inupiaq community in Alaska. She is passionate about sharing stories that show Alaska Native ways of life, Indigenous values, and relationship with the land and water.

Laureli holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Journalism and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts. She believes in the power of communicating and works to assert the Alaska Native narrative and mindset into state and nation-wide media. Most recently, Laureli served as the Executive Director for Native Peoples Action, working to protect Alaska Native hunting, fishing and harvesting rights.