Indie Alaska

INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The weekly videos will capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these videos will present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska. Music by Starship Amazing.

The Ski Train is a springtime tradition in Alaska, and one of the biggest parts of the experience is the roving polka band, the Alaska Blaskapelle. In this edition of INDIE ALASKA we take a look at the whole experience, and get a look at a few of the characters from the band.

Bill Streever is an author, biologist and avid adventurer. He is also a life-long diver. In this edition of INDIE ALASKA we follow the intrepid diver under the ice of Summit Lake, in the heart of the Chugach National Forest, for a view that few Alaskans ever see. INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios.

While most creative talents leave Alaska for the chance of more exposure in big cities, Emma Hill is not only making a living as a musician in her home state, she's thriving. Hill grew up in the small Alaskan village of Sleetmute and in this episode of INDIE ALASKA, she talks about growing up in Alaska and the pros and cons of pursuing a creative career in the far north.

Every year, hundreds of Alaska Native teens from all over the state gather for the Native Youth Olympics (NYO). They compete in games that have been passed down generation to generation. In this episode of INDIE ALASKA, you'll meet Autumn Ridley, who in 2012 broke the world record for the Alaskan High Kick, one of NYO's most popular events.

Arctic Valley has been providing Alaskans with grassroots skiing since the 1940s. Sitting next to an old military missile site, the ski area relies almost entirely on its volunteers to stay alive.

Chris Reynolds has spent most of his life chasing the ever elusive "hang time," sports like snowboarding provide. Recently, Reynolds has found a new love and a new adrenaline high: Paramotoring. INDIE ALASKA caught Reynolds with his feet on the ground long enough for him to tell us about his addictive hobby.

Musk Ox Farm Director Mark Austin is responsible for the largest (and possibly only), modern domestication experiment. For a number of years, he has been raising musk ox in Alaska's Mat-Su Valley. Austin first came to Alaska in college and quickly fell in love with the opportunities and lifestyle provided by living on, what he calls, "the fringe of society."

On the night of their farewell show, Gerygone & Twig members reflect on their band's impact on a small Alaskan town, and what it means to grow up differently from most other high school kids.

Alaska is known for its abundant salmon fisheries, but few outsiders have ever heard of the yearly hooligan runs. These fish earned the name "candlefish" from being so fat during spawning, with up to 15% of total body weight in fat, that if caught, dried, and strung on a wick, it can be burned as a candle. Local subsistence fisherman Warren Jones is a father, a recent college grad, and a Marine.

Toby Sullivan has been setnet fishing the shores of Uganik Bay on Kodiak Island since 1983. His fish camp, known as East Point, is only accessible by boat or seaplane. In this video, he and his partner, Katie Oliver, share the story of what it means to them to work as commercial fishermen in remote Alaska.

Scott Koeller has been regularly dressing in drag since college and with the help of his wife has created a lasting persona as Daphne DoAll LaChores. Daphne is well known as the host of Mad Myrna's Drag Queen Divas show, but many would be surprised to learn that the Anchorage fixture is also the handyman at Mad Myrna's, one of the top gay bars in the country.

Alaska bush pilot Willy Fulton is known for his experience in flying to remote locations, and his direct, likable personality. Fulton is also known as the pilot who last flew Timothy Treadwell, and ultimately came upon Treadwell's remains in Katmai National Park. While that story and the Werner Herzog film "Grizzly Man" brought attention to the pilot, Fulton is a character in his own right - wit

Elijah Goodfarm's father came to Alaska with the dream of mushing across the state, but would die shortly after arriving. After his father's death, Goodfarm packed up his life and took his father's place taking care of his 36 dog kennel.

Wendy Smith-Wood spent the early part of her life climbing mountains around the world and serving for the British Army. When cancer struck at age 27, she decided to completely change her life. Now, she's a fiber artist living 111 miles from Anchorage, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

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After the untimely death of his brother, Michael Saunders set out to do something different. He founded the Alaska Pro Wrestling league and found closure amongst the barrage of punches and body slams.

For more INDIE ALASKA, visit www.youtube.com/indiealaska

In Juneau, Pelmeni is a household word. It's is both the name of a restaurant and the small Russian dumpling served there.

For more INDIE ALASKA, visit www.youtube.com/indiealaska