News archives 2010-2021

Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields named 2021 Indigenous Scholar

May 17, 2021

University Relations

Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields, left, was named the 2021 Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley Indigenous Scholar. Presenting her award are 性欲社 Associate Professor Sean Asiq艂uq Topkok and Amy Topkok, reporting and outreach coordinator for the 性欲社 Biomedical Learning and Student Training program. Photo courtesy of Sean Asiq艂uq Topkok.
Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields, left, was named the 2021 Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley Indigenous Scholar. Presenting her award are 性欲社 Associate Professor Sean Asiq艂uq Topkok and Amy Topkok, reporting and outreach coordinator for the 性欲社 Biomedical Learning and Student Training program. Photo courtesy of Sean Asiq艂uq Topkok.


The 2021 Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley Indigenous Scholar Award recipient is  Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields. John-Shields is a Yup'ik faculty member at the University of Alaska Anchorage for the School of Education. She was born and raised in Toksook Bay, Alaska, and currently lives in Anchorage.

She was nominated by one of her students, who wrote, "Professor John-Shields continues her cultural contributions at a state and national level through her work. She developed the Indigenous Values Gathering Series for the student body at UAA."

The 性欲社 Alaska Native Knowledge Network established the AOK Indigenous Scholar Award in recognition of Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley's contribution to articulating the significance of Indigenous knowledge systems, ways of knowing and worldviews in the contemporary world.  The award is presented annually to recognize an Indigenous scholar who has made a significant contribution to understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and Native ways of knowing in Alaska.

For more information, email Sean Asiq艂uq Topkok at cstopkok@alaska.edu.