Indie Alaska

Indie Films Series / 14 Seasons

INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The weekly videos will capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these videos will present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska. Music by Starship Amazing.

1m

How Traditional Tattoos are Connecting Inuit Communities

S9 E1 / 3m 47s

Holly Nordlum and Sarah Whalen-Lunn are Traditional Inuit Handpoke and Skin Stitch Artists. They are working to revive the Inuit tradition and create a space for connection and healing within their Inuit community.

From Mammoth to Kale: A look into gardening in the Arctic

S9 E2 / 3m 35s

The only permanent settlement of the Alaska Native Nunamiut, Anaktuvuk Pass relies on air shipments for produce, making it difficult to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Nasugraq Rainy Hopson founded Gardens in the Arctic, a gardening program that focuses on providing food for the community.

Meet the Cabbage Fairies of the Alaska State Fair

S9 E3 / 3m 4s

At the Alaska State Fair, not only will you find giant cabbages, but you will also find Ginny Lawton and five of her closest friends bringing some magic to the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off as the Cabbage Fairies. What started as a fun way to participate in the weigh-off, has now become a tradition that many fairgoers look forward to.

This Aerial Silk Dancer Performs in the Alaskan Outdoors

S9 E4 / 5m 20s

Ten years have gone by since Aerialist, Stephany Jeffers fell in love with Aerial Acrobatics at a workshop at the University of Alaska Anchorage. After a few years studying Aerial in the lower 48, she returned to Alaska, but she found that there was no place to practice her silk. What do you do when there is nowhere to fly? You make a bridge your Aerial rig and the Alaskan wilderness your stage.

Preserving Traditional Alaskan Native Materials with Jewelry

S9 E5 / 2m 26s

Josh Qagmuk Ahsoak, of JQA Designs, is an Iñupiaq artist living in Anchorage, Alaska creating earrings and other fine art with traditional Iñupiat materials. Josh uses whale baleen, polar bear fur, dried flowers, walrus ivory, and other traditional materials in his modern designs.

Running the only commercial farm in rural Alaska

S9 E6 / 6m 44s

Tim Meyers and his wife Lisa run Meyers Farm in Bethel, Alaska. What started as a small produce stand for local residents has now turned into a large-scale commercial farm, which allows Tim to ship organic produce boxes to more than 50 villages in Alaska’s YK Delta. Historically, these villages have had very little access to fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables.

Where are they now? The Shrimp Whisperer

S9 E7 / 3m 43s

Al Laudert's shrimp photography was first featured on Indie Alaska in 2016, and has been one of the most-asked-about episodes in the series among Alaskans. We decided to catch up with Al and see what the shrimp whisperer is up to these days in Valdez.

Skiing Alaska’s extreme slopes with videographer Luka Bees

S9 E8 / 3m 49s

Ever wonder what it takes to capture skiers on video as they perform their most epic tricks? Over the years, Luke Bredar, also known by his Instagram handle as Luka Bees has been shooting and editing videos for social media of professional skiers all over Alaska, from the lesser known slopes of Hatcher Pass, to the primary ski and snowboard resort, Alyeska Resort.

What's it take to win Alaska's competitive beard contest?

S9 E9 / 4m 54s

Bearded men and women from around the country gather in Anchorage every winter during the Fur Rendezvous to compete in the Mr. Fur Face competition. Adam Bruck is one competitor who hopes to take home the crown this year.

Is the world's best ice cream in...ALASKA?! | INDIE ALASKA

S9 E10 / 4m 28s

Elissa Brown always loved tinkering around in the kitchen, but she never thought it would evolve into her own business making ice cream with authentically Alaskan ingredients. Since 2015, Wild Scoops ice cream has not only created a huge following and tourist attraction around Anchorage, Alaska, but has also showed how small businesses can collaborate and make a better community.

Kuspuks and Parkys: Symbols of Alaskan Identity

S9 E11 / 5m 27s

Alaskans all have their own taste when it comes to fashion, but one style, in particular, has grown in popularity throughout the years. Sheila Ezelle absolutely loves making custom kuspuks (Qaspeks) for the summer and parkys for the winter. Every parky that she makes she excitedly thinks to herself, “My - this is the best parky I have ever made!”

Cannabis is a Budding Business for this Mother-Daughter team

S9 E12 / 4m 35s

Alaskan Blooms is a family-run cannabis business in Fairbanks, Alaska. While there are many challenges to owning a retail and grow operation, Karen and Kelsi Lowry find it rewarding to be a part of the marijuana industry in the 49th State.

An Alaska Fisherman's Guide to Tragedy and Redemption

S9 E13 / 4m 46s

Jody Mason has been a halibut fishing guide out of Whittier, Alaska for over 20 years with his company, Alaskan 4 Star Charters. After a traumatic boating accident in 2019, Jody was overwhelmed by the community response that helped him get a new boat in time for the 2020 fishing season.

Rescuing baby moose may be the best job in Alaska

S9 E14 / 4m 29s

For 6 years now, Dana Debernardi has been running Moose Mamas, a nonprofit committed to rescuing, raising, and releasing orphaned moose calves in interior Alaska.

Why is this Mets outfielder teaching baseball in Alaska?

S9 E15 / 4m 58s

Signing his first pro contract in 2002, Jamar Hill left Alaska to play outfielder with the New York Mets. However, after years of playing, he realized he wanted to help players with their skill and technique, instead of being a celebrity athlete. As the president of Gamers Baseball Alaska, he now coaches all school levels of baseball. Helping kids understand team building and core values.

Supported by