Aang! (Hello) My name is Samantha Sheehan (Mierzejek). I am of Unangan (Aleut) descent from the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands region of Alaska.
I attended and graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School and received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. I currently live in Star, Idaho, and recently completed my M.ED in Early & Special Education.
I have many fond memories of growing up on St. George Island, an island in the Bering Sea, as a child where I spent time beachcombing for sea glass, seashells, Japanese glass floats, as well as collecting driftwood and volcanic rock.
Here, I reconnected with my roots and began to create my art and jewelry designs. My mediums are glass beads, salmon leather, sea glass, and polymer clay. Agaasix is the Unangan word for “gift”. I see my designs as my gift to others, and in turn I hope this gift will bring you a glimpse of my Unangan culture. Qagaasakung! ( I thank you).