Frontier of Change is a project from KNBA to bring voices and stories of Alaska's changing climate to the streets and airwaves of Anchorage.

Climate change is affecting Alaska more than other parts of the country – temperatures here are rising twice as fast. And the effects are serious: the coastline is eroding, permafrost is melting, and traditional animal migration patterns are changing. 

Frontier of Change gathered stories from people whose lives and livelihoods are being profoundly affected by climate change, and created broadcasts, events, movies, and audio tours.  

Isaac Kestenbaum (Lead Producer)Isaac Kestenbaum has been a lobsterman, a farmer, a newspaper reporter and a robotics instructor. He the former Production Manager for StoryCorps, and co-creator of the climate change audio project Winters Past. He is…

Isaac Kestenbaum (Lead Producer)

Isaac Kestenbaum has been a lobsterman, a farmer, a newspaper reporter and a robotics instructor. He the former Production Manager for StoryCorps, and co-creator of the climate change audio project Winters Past. He is a graduate of Vassar College and the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Originally from Maine, he now lives in Brooklyn. 

Joaqlin Estus (Lead Producer)Joaqlin Estus, a Tlingit Indian, is news director at KNBA, an Alaska Native owned and operated radio station in Anchorage, Alaska. She’s worked as a reporter at Alaska radio stations and Minnesota Public Radio. She regul…

Joaqlin Estus (Lead Producer)

Joaqlin Estus, a Tlingit Indian, is news director at KNBA, an Alaska Native owned and operated radio station in Anchorage, Alaska. She’s worked as a reporter at Alaska radio stations and Minnesota Public Radio. She regularly contributes stories to the statewide radio show Alaska News Nightly, and to National Native News.

 

Josie Holtzman (Lead Producer)Josephine Holtzman is a Brooklyn-based multimedia storyteller, with a focus in audio documentary and interactive soundwalks. A graduate of Vassar College and the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, she is currently …

Josie Holtzman (Lead Producer)

Josephine Holtzman is a Brooklyn-based multimedia storyteller, with a focus in audio documentary and interactive soundwalks. A graduate of Vassar College and the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, she is currently a producer for the NPR Music program, Jazz Night in America. She is also co-founder of the climate change audio project Winters Past.

 
Frank Chythlook (Lead Producer)Frank Chythlook hosts KNBA's Native Music programming, and is also the station’s Operations and Production Coordinator. Frank first joined KNBA as an Alaska Native Youth Media Institute participant in 1994, and returne…

Frank Chythlook (Lead Producer)

Frank Chythlook hosts KNBA's Native Music programming, and is also the station’s Operations and Production Coordinator. Frank first joined KNBA as an Alaska Native Youth Media Institute participant in 1994, and returned in 2001 after snagging a Broadcast degree from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.  Frank has also served as an instructor in media production at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Joel de Jesus (Lead Producer)Joel de Jesus is KNBA's Operations Intern, as well as Frontier of Change's video producer and co-host/creator of the Frontier of Change Podcast.  Educated at Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, Joel now res…

Joel de Jesus (Lead Producer)

Joel de Jesus is KNBA's Operations Intern, as well as Frontier of Change's video producer and co-host/creator of the Frontier of Change Podcast.  Educated at Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, Joel now resides in Anchorage. 

Holly Mititquq Nordlum (Designer)Holly Mititquq Nordlum is an Inupiaq visual artist and graphic designer, born in Kotzebue, Alaska. Throughout her childhood Holly developed an appreciation for her culture, arts, and life in the arctic. Holly attende…

Holly Mititquq Nordlum (Designer)

Holly Mititquq Nordlum is an Inupiaq visual artist and graphic designer, born in Kotzebue, Alaska. Throughout her childhood Holly developed an appreciation for her culture, arts, and life in the arctic. Holly attended the University of Alaska, Anchorage and completed a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree, since she has been an award winning multi-media artist and activist.

 
Shyanne Beatty (Producer)Shyanne Beatty is Han Gwich’in Athabascan and grew up in a subsistence lifestyle in Eagle, Alaska. She is the Network Manager for Native Voice One and the former host of the national radio program Earthsongs. Her work for Ko…

Shyanne Beatty (Producer)

Shyanne Beatty is Han Gwich’in Athabascan and grew up in a subsistence lifestyle in Eagle, Alaska. She is the Network Manager for Native Voice One and the former host of the national radio program Earthsongs. Her work for Koahnic Broadcast Corporation has included directing the Native Media Empowerment Project, where she designed and constructed media training sessions for Alaska Native participants in rural locations.

Vikram Patel (Producer)Vikram Patel produces and coaches storytellers for Anchorage storytelling program Arctic Entries and co-founded local high school storytelling program Story Works Alaska. Vikram spends his days at the Parks & Rec Departmen…

Vikram Patel (Producer)

Vikram Patel produces and coaches storytellers for Anchorage storytelling program Arctic Entries and co-founded local high school storytelling program Story Works Alaska. Vikram spends his days at the Parks & Rec Department, helping out the people who build playgrounds and organize softball league.

James Dommek, Jr. (Composer)James Dommek, Jr., was born and raised in Kotzebue, Alaska.  He is one of the founding members of the Anchorage based rock band the Whipsaws. They have since recorded two full length albums, toured Alaska and a large…

James Dommek, Jr. (Composer)

James Dommek, Jr., was born and raised in Kotzebue, Alaska.  He is one of the founding members of the Anchorage based rock band the Whipsaws. They have since recorded two full length albums, toured Alaska and a large portion of the lower 48, and have shared the stage with Wilco, Lucinda Williams and the Hold Steady. They are currently signed to Blue Rose records (Europe).

 
John Sallee (Producer)John Sallee is a News intern for the Anchorage radio station KNBA, also known as “Alaska’s Native Voice.”  He is a Junior studying journalism and public communications at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.&nbsp…

John Sallee (Producer)

John Sallee is a News intern for the Anchorage radio station KNBA, also known as “Alaska’s Native Voice.”  He is a Junior studying journalism and public communications at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Sallee’s inspiration to pursue journalism stems from his fascination with entertainment news, as he aspires to become a red carpet correspondent. Outside of journalism, Sallee enjoys staying active, spending time with family and listening to music.

Charles Enoch (Producer)Charles “Ernerculria” Enoch grew up in Tuntutuliak, Alaska. He graduated from Lewis Angapak Memorial School in 2007. Starting in 2009, Charles enrolled in UAF’s Kuskokwim University Campus.  He moved to Bethel aroun…

Charles Enoch (Producer)

Charles “Ernerculria” Enoch grew up in Tuntutuliak, Alaska. He graduated from Lewis Angapak Memorial School in 2007. Starting in 2009, Charles enrolled in UAF’s Kuskokwim University Campus.  He moved to Bethel around 2013, then started working at KYUK as a reporter a year later.  Charles enjoys hunting, fishing, video games, and umm sports… if he can handle it. 

Loren Dixon (Producer)Loren Dixon has been on Anchorage radio for 30 years.  His passion for music and the 'Triple-A' radio format began in the early 90’s which led to him to help establish the format for KNBA when the station signed on in 1996…

Loren Dixon (Producer)

Loren Dixon has been on Anchorage radio for 30 years.  His passion for music and the 'Triple-A' radio format began in the early 90’s which led to him to help establish the format for KNBA when the station signed on in 1996. When not on the radio hosting a music show and interviewing local and national music acts,  you’ll find him hanging out at his log cabin  in the quiet, but bear-filled hillside valley of his hometown Anchorage.

 

 

Additional production and support from:

Larry Cleland, Thea Lawton, Jaclyn Sallee, Carol Schatz, Barae Hirsch, Keemuel Kenrud, Kimberly Pikok, Cindy Hector, Charles Sather, and Danny Preston.
 

 

 

Frontier of Change is brought to you by KNBA and Finding America, a national initiative produced by AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio, Incorporated, and with financial support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Wyncote Foundation, the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional support from The CIRI Foundation, the Bering Straits Native Corporation, the Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Stoel Rives, LLP,  The Nature Conservancy of Alaska, CIRI and Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP. Presented in partnership with the Anchorage Museum. 

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