Malia Acovak, Division Manager

Cama’i!
My Yup’ik name is Qamrulria, meaning “to drag something,” a name given to me by my grandmother in honor of her beloved sister. My English name, Malia, is also in honor of her. I am Yup’ik and Japanese, originally from Ceturaraq (New Stuyahok) and raised in both Ceturaraq and Qutalleq (Seward), Alaska.

I was born in Curyung (Dillingham) to my mother, Anna Makuciq Acovak, and my father, Nelson Ooka. My upbringing reflects a blend of strong Indigenous and Asian Pacific roots. I grew up commercial fishing, tending gardens, and learning from the land and people around me—experiences that continue to guide my work today.

As Qutekcak Native Tribe’s Wellness Coordinator, my work focuses on elder care, youth programming, food sovereignty, traditional health and wellness, and community engagement. I’m passionate about reconnecting our community with ancestral knowledge, revitalizing Indigenous foodways, and creating spaces where our people can thrive through shared learning and healing.

In my free time, I enjoy gardening, reading, traveling, and exploring the deep connections between family, identity, place, and traditional knowledge.