Shareholder Pursuing Civil Engineering Degree to Answer Infrastructure Needs

Ray Suvv’aq Daniel, Leader from the Region

Storyknife, Sept/Oct 2022 edition

Ray Suvv’aq Daniel with ties to Tuntutuliak is a Calista Shareholder working to become a civil engineer in rural Alaska to alleviate issues related to a lack of infrastructure. Daniel hopes to attain his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering with a minor in mathematics from the University of Alaska Anchorage this December.

“With supporters like Calista [Education and Culture, Inc.], I am given the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming an engineer,” says Daniel. “With a civil engineering degree, I plan on working projects like water systems, sewage, buildings and homes, roads and boardwalks, runways, and bridges, depending on what I choose to specialize in. Improving my Region has been my career goal ever since I was able to see what life out of rural Alaska is like.”

Daniel has completed two summer internships in a row through Anchorage-based Oil Search, the subsidiary of Australian oil company Santos. Santos is moving forward with a $2.6 billion investment toward the development of the Pikka Project on the North Slope near Nuiqsut. Daniel assisted in project engineering by writing and reviewing documents and design drawings, and joining the team meetings.

“Being a vital asset to my mentor through my work was a great learning experience,” Daniel says. “It helped build my confidence in knowing I can do project engineering work.”

Daniel is a major proponent for his local community. Growing up in Bethel, his first language is Yup’ik, he went to Ayaprun Elitnaurvik and volunteered in many capacities in school.

“I have been a leader for my siblings, friends, coaches, and school,” Daniel says. “Growing up, my siblings followed in what I did, they looked up to me as a leader and a role model.”

He volunteered with kindergarten students, at the Winter House homeless shelter, and danced yuraq at Cama-i Dance Festival in Bethel for many years—and traveled across the nation to perform for a cultural exchange last summer.

“Being a vital asset to my mentor through my work was a great learning experience. It helped build my confidence in knowing I can do project engineering work.” – Ray Suvv’aq Daniel of Tuntutuliak, Calista Shareholder and UAA Civil Engineering student

“I believe in the Yup’ik values and respect the rules that were once followed by my ancestors. I subsistence hunt and fish for my family,” Daniel says. “My culture and subsistence are some of the most important things to me.”

Daniel receives the Calista Education and Culture, Inc. scholarship each semester and participates in ANSEP—the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program at UAA. He says the college advisors helped him decide which classes to take, explore internship options and communicated on how to improve and the next steps in his education and career.

“I’d recommend any new students to step out of their comfort zone, to network and seek connections, have a mentor, and take advantage of support from scholarships and internships,” Daniel says. “You have to put yourself out there to gain the knowledge and experience to grow along the way.”

The CECI scholarship program awards scholarships two times each year. The application deadline for the upcoming Spring Term scholarship is due December 1, and the next Fall Term scholarship application is due June 30. Apply today!

The mission of Calista Education & Culture, Inc. is to celebrate and promote Yuuyaraq, the traditional/cultural way of being in the Calista Region which inspires and encourages our people to achieve their dreams through education.