Denakkanaaga Founder Poldine Carlo Remembered
Denakkanaaga Founder and elder Poldine Carlo, 97 years old, passed away on May 9, 2018 in Fairbanks.
A tireless advocate for Native people, Mrs. Carlo remained active in regional Native meetings and events, including those of Denakkanaaga, until just recently.
In addition to founding Denakkanaaga, Mrs. Carlo was also one the co-founders of Fairbanks Native Association (FNA). She was a true cultural bearer, speaking and sharing her Native language and singing and dancing her traditional songs and dances whenever possible.
Born in Nulato on December 5, 1920, Mrs. Carlo lived a traditional Athabascan lifestyle and was raised to respect and love people, which was the foundation for her life’s work.
She was an author, writing about her life in her book “Nulato: An Indian Life on the Yukon”. She was also known for her beautiful beadwork, sewing numerous items for her family, friends and potlatches. In 2001 she receive an honorary law degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks recognizing her decades of work on behalf of the Native community.
She married William Carlo in 1940 and together they had eight children. She was preceded in death by her husband, and two children.
Mrs. Carlo will forever remain a guiding force for many with the legacy she leaves of caring for and serving Native people.
Denakkanaaga fondly remembers Poldine Carlo, a true Native leader not just for Interior Alaska, but the entire State.
A tireless advocate for Native people, Mrs. Carlo remained active in regional Native meetings and events, including those of Denakkanaaga, until just recently.
In addition to founding Denakkanaaga, Mrs. Carlo was also one the co-founders of Fairbanks Native Association (FNA). She was a true cultural bearer, speaking and sharing her Native language and singing and dancing her traditional songs and dances whenever possible.
Born in Nulato on December 5, 1920, Mrs. Carlo lived a traditional Athabascan lifestyle and was raised to respect and love people, which was the foundation for her life’s work.
She was an author, writing about her life in her book “Nulato: An Indian Life on the Yukon”. She was also known for her beautiful beadwork, sewing numerous items for her family, friends and potlatches. In 2001 she receive an honorary law degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks recognizing her decades of work on behalf of the Native community.
She married William Carlo in 1940 and together they had eight children. She was preceded in death by her husband, and two children.
Mrs. Carlo will forever remain a guiding force for many with the legacy she leaves of caring for and serving Native people.
Denakkanaaga fondly remembers Poldine Carlo, a true Native leader not just for Interior Alaska, but the entire State.