A Fire Endless: A Novel by Rebecca Ross.
What charity or cause are you passionate about?
Storyknife Writers Retreat, Arctic Education Foundation, and UIC Foundation.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work?
I hug my children and I get into comfy clothes.
What vacation spot is on your bucket list?
The lagoon houses in—is it Fiji? Bora Bora! That’s where it is: Bora Bora [French Polynesia]. Someday.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be?
I just don’t think we should domesticate wild animals. I’m gonna let ‘em be.
A Fire Endless: A Novel by Rebecca Ross.
What charity or cause are you passionate about?
Storyknife Writers Retreat, Arctic Education Foundation, and UIC Foundation.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after a long day at work?
I hug my children and I get into comfy clothes.
What vacation spot is on your bucket list?
The lagoon houses in—is it Fiji? Bora Bora! That’s where it is: Bora Bora [French Polynesia]. Someday.
If you could domesticate a wild animal, what animal would it be?
I just don’t think we should domesticate wild animals. I’m gonna let ‘em be.
Off the Cuff
he considers herself mainly an educator, yet Pearl K. Brower has prepared herself well for the role of CEO. She went to UAF for bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and Alaska Native studies, returned for a master’s degree in rural development, and earned a doctorate in Indigenous leadership. She ran a consulting business and shared her expertise at Iḷisaġvik College, where she was president for eight years and, by the way, earned yet another degree, this time in Iñupiaq studies.
Brower was promoted from board member of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) to its leader barely a year and a half ago, yet her roots in Utqiaġvik go deep. She’s among the many great-grandchildren of Charles Dewitt Brower, the Yankee whaler who found kindred spirits in the Arctic and helped turn the village into a town.
His great-granddaughter is now building a future for the UIC community, including her two daughters.
“We have a very large company,” Brower says. “In order to make all of that run smoothly, we have to empower our own people to do the work that they need to do, and we have to trust them to do that.”
Pearl K. Brower: I love to travel. Spend time with my family. I love to read and crochet.
AB: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Brower: Accepting this position as president of UIC.
AB: Is there a skill you’re currently developing or have always wanted to learn?
Brower: I am developing my skill to lead a billion-dollar company [she laughs]. It’s a work in progress.
AB: What’s your best attribute and worst attribute?
Brower: They both will be: I’m very, very organized and systematic, and I think that has its pros and it has its cons that come with it.
AB: Other than your current career, if you were a kid today, what would your dream job be?
Brower: In another world, maybe, an archaeologist… I really wanted to study volcanoes for a while, so kind of the earth sciences and maybe the social sciences a little bit… That’s the next chapter, maybe.
AB: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
Brower: We love Spenard Roadhouse [in Anchorage]… In Utqiaġvik our favorite restaurant is Sam & Lee’s.
AB: Dead or alive, who would you like to see perform live in concert?
Brower: Oh my gosh! The Beatles.
AB: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Brower: [She laughs] I love having my house cleaned… When I have a house cleaner, that’s incredible. Allows more time to be with my family.
