At a Glance
What movie do you recommend to everyone? Doctor Zhivago.
What’s the first thing you do after work? I get into some pajamas.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, where would you live? Arizona, because there are a lot of Alaskans there and there are direct flights back and forth.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be? A moose—in times of need it could be a food source [she laughs].
At a Glance
What movie do you recommend to everyone? Doctor Zhivago.
What’s the first thing you do after work? I get into some pajamas.
If you couldn’t live in Alaska, where would you live? Arizona, because there are a lot of Alaskans there and there are direct flights back and forth.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be? A moose—in times of need it could be a food source [she laughs].
Off the Cuff
ering Straits Native Corporation President and CEO Gail R. Schubert finds deep satisfaction in her work to benefit the corporation’s shareholders, descendants, and communities. “Bering Straits has grown to a point where we’re able to increase shareholder development opportunities and I’m proud of that,” she states. “We’ve increased scholarship distributions, dividends, and distributions to Elders. Our growth is helping benefit our shareholders—that’s something I feel really good about.”
Gail R. Schubert: I plan on getting back into making jewelry again. I like working with ivory, trade beads, and semi-precious stones.
AB: Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always wanted to learn?
Schubert: I’d like to learn Iñupiaq—as I get older, I think it’s become a lot more important to me to understand and be able to speak the language.
AB: What is your go-to comfort food?
Schubert: Akutaq, especially salmon berry. Akutaq [also known as Eskimo ice cream] is a mixture of whipped animal fats or Crisco, flaked white fish, sugar, and berries. [Schubert wants to learn to make it herself, but until she does, her favorite Akutaq source is her sister Joan.]
AB: Other than your current career, if you were a child today, what would your dream job be?
Schubert: A doctor.
AB: What’s your favorite way to exercise?
Schubert: Berry picking, walking, clam digging, fishing.
AB: What’s the most daring thing that you’ve ever done?
Schubert: Probably going to work in New York City when I graduated from Cornell Law School.
AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to most see perform live in concert?
Schubert: The Bee Gees. The ringtone for my husband’s number is a Bee Gees song.
Schubert: If I’m working on something, I don’t like to project success. I’m fearful if I say something is going to be successful, that will work against it.
AB: What is your best attribute and your worst attribute?
Schubert: I think my best (and worst) attribute is my willingness to work hard and to work long hours. I think sometimes I don’t take enough personal time and it drives my husband Ed crazy.
