Every year, we present five ATCEM Environmental Excellence Awards to recognize the hard work performed for preserving our environment for future generations. See the categories below and if you know someone or a group that deserves an award, consider nominating them for ATCEM 2025! Click HERE to fill out the online nomination form. There is no limit to how many nominations you may make. The deadline to nominate someone is extended to February 21, 2025.
Rising Star Award: Awarded to an individual who is just getting started in the tribal environmental field, but shows great promise to be an up-and-coming environmental leader in their community.
Environmental Leader Award: Awarded to an established tribal environmental professional who demonstrates outstanding motivation and leadership with environmental projects in their community.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to an individual who has made long-lasting environmental contributions that improve environmental health in their community over the course of many years. This individual is a true inspiration and deserving of the highest honor.
Helping Hands Award: Awarded to an individual, team, or organization that has provided exceptional services to support environmental projects in tribal communities.
Community/Group Award: Awarded to a group or a team that has demonstrated outstanding environmental leadership in their community and has worked together to improve their local environment.
2024 Award Winners
Helping Hands – Rebecca Colvin, AK Department of Environmental Conservation
Community/Group – Alakanuk Environmental Program
Rising Star – Alex Angerman, Wrangell Cooperative Association
Environmental Leader – Sarah Sherwood, Copper River Native Association
Lifetime Achievement – Carol Oliver, Native Village of Golovin
2023 Award Winners
Helping Hands – Sophie Manaster, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Community/Group – Native Village of Selawik
Rising Star – Mary Hostetter, Igiugig Village Council
Environmental Leader – Dan Gilliken, Native Village of Napaimute
Lifetime Achievement – Jonathan Samuelson, Native Village of Georgetown / Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
SWAT Rockstar Individual – Jerry Sam, Tanana Chiefs Conference
SWAT Rockstar Community/Group – City of Gambell and Native Village of Gambell
2021 Award Winners
Helping Hands – Mahri Lowinger, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Community/Group – Aleut Community of St. Paul Island’s Ecosystem Conservation Office (ECO)
Rising Star – Jessica Weaver, Native Village of Eyak
Environmental Leader – Jennifer Hanlon, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe
Lifetime Achievement – Moses Tcheripanoff
SWAT Rockstar Individual – Reilly Kosinski, Zender Environmental Health and Research Group
SWAT Rockstar Community/Group – Chalkyitsik Environmental Dream Team
2020 Award Winners
Community/Group – Native Village of Kongiganak
Rising Star – Jeff Luther, Native Village of Noatak
Environmental Leader – Anahma Shannon, Kawerak, Inc.
Helping Hands – Lynn Zender, Zender Environmental Health and Research Group
Lifetime Achievement – Mary Goolie, U.S. EPA
SWAT Rockstar Individual – Augusta Edmond, Alakanuk Environmental Program
SWAT Rockstar Community/Group – Recycling Our Area Resources in Copper Valley and Native Village of Kongiganak
2019 Award Winners
Community/Group – Village of Bill Moore’s Slough & the Village of Kotlik
Rising Star – Matthew Murray, Native Village of Elim
Rising Star – Rayna Paul, Native Village of Kipnuk
Environmental Leader – Cynthia Beatus, Native Village of Hughes
Helping Hands – Mary Mullan, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Lifetime Achievement – Willard “Bill” Hand, Native Village of Kluti-Kaah
2018 Award Winners
Community/Group – Ginger Bear, Belkofski Tribe & Melanie Newton, Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove
Rising Star – Susie Martin, Mentasta Village
Environmental Leader – Benjamin Stevens, Stevens Village
Helping Hands – Trisha Bower, ADEC Solid Waste Program
Lifetime Achievement – Wilson Justin, Cheesh’na Tribal Council
2017 Award Winners
Community/Group – Chalkyitsik Village
New Environmental Professional – Luis Echnique, Louden Tribe
Dr. James Berner Award for Children’s Health – Dr. Rosalyn Singleton
Walter Porter Lifetime Achievement – Ted Jacobson, RurAL CAP
2016 Award Winners
Community/Group – Ya Ne Dah Ah Tribal School, Chickaloon Village
New Environmental Professional – Brian Wright, Environmental Coordinator, Huslia Tribal Council
Outstanding Individual – Opik Ahkinga, Environmental Coordinator, Native Village of Diomede
Walter Porter Lifetime Achievement – Tina Tinker, Environmental Coordinator, Aleknagik Traditional Council
2015 Award Winners
Community – Prince of Wales Tribal Environmental Coalition
New Environmental Professional – Johnathan Henzie, Environmental Coordinator, Allakaket
Individual Award- Stephen Price, ADEC Solid Waste Division
Walter Porter Lifetime Achievement – Michael Brubaker, ANTHC
2014 Award Winners
Community – Native Village of Galena
Team – Seldovia Village Tribe – Environmental Program
New Environmental Professional – Jerilyn Kelly, Environmental Coordinator, Kwinhagak IRA
Individual Award – Jeanine Heakin, Environmental Coordinator, Native Village of Eek
Walter Porter Lifetime Achievement – Cynthia Paniyak, Environmental Coordinator, Chevak Native Village
