Aquilina D. Lestenkof, 2006 Women of Discovery Earth Award

"Earth is a living entity--our Mother. It is not a place." — Aquilina D. Lestenkof

Co-Director, Ecosystem Conservation Office, Aleut Community, St. Paul Island

Born: 1960-01-01

Hometown: St. George Island, Probilof Islands, Alaska

Education: Media Specialist courses, University of Alaska

Achievements

Discoveries: The meanings of words. In the Aleut language, "tanadaqadakux" translates as "done visiting this land." There is no word for Death.

Expeditions: Bluffs, caves, hills, and shores of the Pribilof Islands and the Shetland Islands

Biography

As co-director of the Ecosystem Conservation Office of the Tribal Government of St. Paul Island, Aquilina Lestenkof has innovatively blended science with native Aleut traditions to enhance the well-being of the people and wildlife of the Bering Sea. A lifelong resident of the Pribilof Islands, she understands conservation issues from both grass-roots and global perspectives and has worked tirelessly on land management, water/air quality, and subsistence hunting issues. She participated in the Bering Sea biodiversity assessment and helped guide the World Wildlife Fund's education work in the Bering Sea ecoregion.

Fun Facts

Favorite Item to have in the field: Empty pockets (for filling) and my sense of smell.

Heroes: My parents, for their tribal spirituality.