The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work?
Wash dishes. Hot, sudsy water. It’s relaxing.
What’s your greatest extravagance?
My family does too much DoorDash.
What charity or cause are you passionate about?
Anything to do with housing. And services for underprivileged youth; sports are such a big thing.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be?
They’re supposed to be wild, but… my daughter one time asked if we could raise moose.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work?
Wash dishes. Hot, sudsy water. It’s relaxing.
What’s your greatest extravagance?
My family does too much DoorDash.
What charity or cause are you passionate about?
Anything to do with housing. And services for underprivileged youth; sports are such a big thing.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be?
They’re supposed to be wild, but… my daughter one time asked if we could raise moose.
Off the Cuff
here the Yukon River plunges southward, four villages merged corporations to form Gana-A’Yoo, “friends together” in Koyukon Athabascan. Dena Sommer-Pedebone was born after shareholder enrollment, so the Gana-A’Yoo CEO carries the perspective of a tribal descendant. She studied marketing at UAF, and a career in grant administration led back to the corporation. “I’ve always fallen into leadership, management-type positions, starting as soon as I got out of college,” she says.
Now she gets to reconnect with her grandparents’ heritage in Nulato and share it with her daughters. Sommer-Pedebone says, “I’ve found that, during my time in this role, I really enjoy interacting with the younger people.”
Dena Sommer-Pedebone: I love being outdoors and running. And exercise.
AB: What vacation spot is on your bucket list?
Sommer-Pedebone: My husband was born in Pago Pago on American Samoa, and he’s not been back since he was a baby… I’d love to see him get back to where he was born.
AB: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Sommer-Pedebone: Jumping off China Walls [near Honolulu] into the ocean… I’m not a strong swimmer, and you have to climb back up the wall to get out. I had nightmares for days.
AB: What are you superstitious about?
Sommer-Pedebone: I have very strong spiritual and cultural beliefs. In our language, it’s called hutłaanee… Something might give you bad luck or bring the spirits, so it’s something we’re always mindful of.
AB: Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always wanted to learn?
Sommer-Pedebone: I wish I could stick with something… [For example,] Athabascan beadwork, making slippers or gloves, I make one side and don’t finish the other.
AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform live in concert?
Sommer-Pedebone: Anywhere with my dad… I’ve gone to Aerosmith with him. He’s fun.
AB: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
Sommer-Pedebone: Brunch at Seward’s Folly [on Abbott Road in Anchorage].
AB: What’s your best attribute and worst attribute?
Sommer-Pedebone: I’m a very responsible person, which is a good thing, but it’s also a bad thing because you don’t let things go when you should.
