Shareholder & Descendant News

Brandon Rukovishnikoff

Ulakaia Center Descendant Spotlight

Raised on Saint Paul Island, Brandon lived in St. Paul for most of his childhood until attending Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, Alaska.

“It was always my goal in life to strive for more and to make my family proud. I have worn many hard hats in my construction background. I’ve worked from Atka to Anchorage, and all over the North Slope.”

Brandon states, “I began my Oil & Gas career in Kuparuk in 2016 working for ASRC AES. I started as a CUI Line Lifter, moving on as a Project Scaffold Builder, then I showed interest in doing Bolt Up. From there I trained myself with the help of others to operate heavy equipment, safely and productively bolt piping into Oil & Gas facilities/Well Heads and many other tasks.”

Thank you to Ulakaia for helping me with funding to attend CDL School. I am forever grateful and will continue to strive and achieve greatness.

Brandon was given the opportunity to work at the Specialty Shop with the Valve Technicians for a week, which gave him motivation to join their crew. To be a Valve Tech, a Class B CDL is required. Brandon registered with AKA Hauling Commercial Driving School and attended a 30-hour course. He successfully passed the final driving test and is now the proud holder of a Class A Commercial Driver’s License. Brandon is now a Valve Technician and has been with the Specialty Shop for 5 months and working with ASRC for 9 years total.

Good job!
Awam ix̂amnaa!

Aleut Federal Puvaankix Creek Cleanup Efforts in Atka

The Native Village of Atka Tribe is actively working to clean up contaminated sites in Atka under the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP) administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 2025, efforts have focused primarily on the ongoing cleanup of the Puvaankix̂ Creek site—a former military drum staging area impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons and lead.

Cleanup actions are now being performed by Atx̂am Environmental, a subsidiary of Atka’s Atx̂am Corporation, led by Marii Swetzof. Atx̂am directly employs a 100% local workforce of skilled team members who have been carrying out the excavation and removal of contaminated soil. The team has also partnered with Aleut Environmental Remediation, a subsidiary of The Aleut Corporation, to provide technical environmental support. Together, these organizations have removed more than 500 cubic yards of contaminated soil this year, the largest single volume removed since the initial work began more than a decade ago, with additional removal underway. Excavated areas are being restored with clean backfill, and mitigation measures are in place to protect the surrounding creek and Nazan Bay throughout the process.

Addressing environmental contamination from historic military activity is notoriously complex. However, local knowledge of site conditions has been instrumental to the project’s success. This Puvaankix̂ Creek cleanup exemplifies regional collaboration, environmental stewardship, and the strength of Aleut partnerships. Despite the unique terrain and legacy waste, the team has combined local insight with environmental expertise to make meaningful progress. This work brings tangible benefits to the Atka community and reflects a shared commitment to restoring and protecting our lands for future generations.

Your Updated Shareholder Handbook is Here!

Aleut’s updated Shareholder Handbook is now available—designed to help you stay connected, informed, and empowered as a shareholder. Whether you’re newly enrolled or have been with us for decades, this handbook is your go-to guide for understanding how Aleut operates and how to make the most of the benefits available to you and your family.

We believe informed shareholders are empowered shareholders.

Veteran Land Allotment Update

The Alaska Federation of Natives is proud to share that H.R. 410 has passed the house. This bill extends the time period for an additional five years during which eligible Alaska Native veterans may apply for a land allotment under the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program.