Vera Starbard
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verastarbard.bsky.social
Vera Starbard
@verastarbard.bsky.social
3.3K followers 2.1K following 210 posts
Tlingit and Dena’ina (Alaska Native) playwright, tv writer, journalist, author, cat employee. Current Alaska State Writer Laureate.
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verastarbard.bsky.social
For this 28th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting #coloringbooks by #Indigenous creators from five major #Alaska cultural regions. But there are so many more - leave your favorites in the comments!

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #nativeamerican #alaskanative #writers #artists
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 28
For this twenty eighth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re highlighting coloring books by Indigenous creators from five major Alaska cultural regions. But there are so many more, so leave yo…
verastarbard.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
We really wanted to capture the sometimes complicated Thanksgiving holiday from a Native perspective on Molly of Denali, including the values of gratitude and family/clan our cultures have always been lead by. And now the episode of Emmy-nominated!

#thanksgiving #nativeamericanheritagemonth
Molly of Denali FULL EPISODE | Truth, Trust, and Harvest/Thanks-For-Giving | PBS KIDS
YouTube video by PBS KIDS
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
A little something different for the twenty seventh day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth. Instead of a single book we’re highlighting a sampling of #Alaska Native-authored language #books from regions around the state.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #indigenous #alaskanative #indigenouslanguage
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 27
We’re doing a little something different for day 27 of Alaska Native Heritage Month, and highlighting several Alaska Native language books. There are 23 Alaska Native languages, and even more diale…
verastarbard.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
alaskapoet.bsky.social
One of my favorite poems!!! It’s a poem for our times. And perfect for the holidays.

#AlaskaSky #Alaska #poetsofbluesky
Joy Harjo Reads “Perhaps the World Ends Here”
YouTube video by Poets.org
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 26th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re celebrating the history book “Iñuksuk” by Netsaii #Gwich’in author Adeline Peter Raboff.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #indigenous #books #booksky #history #writer #author #alaskanative #nativeamerican #athabascan #inuksuk #indigenousbooks
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 26
On this twenty sixth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re highlighting “Iñuksuk: Northern Koyukon, Gwich’in, and Lower Tanana 1800-1901” by Netsaii Gwich’in author Adeline Peter Raboff. It’s …
verastarbard.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
ktoopublicmedia.bsky.social
Starbard was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Series for an episode called “Thanks-for-giving," that aired last November and follows Molly and her friends as they learn why some Alaska Native people don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.
Juneau's Vera Starbard earns Emmy nomination for ‘Molly of Denali’ Thanksgiving episode
The Alaska State Writer Laureate wrote an episode about the show’s titular character navigating the complex history of Thanksgiving to create a celebration that honors Alaska Native culture.
www.ktoo.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this twenty fifth day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting “How the Devil’s Club Came to Be” by #Tlingit writer Miranda Rose Kaagwil Worl & Tlingit illustrator Michaela Goade, Lingít language version by Tlingit Elder Florence Sheakley.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #indigenous #books
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 25
For the twenty fifth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the beautiful children’s book “How the Devil’s Club Came to Be” by Tlingit writer Miranda Rose Kaagwil Worl and Tlingit …
verastarbard.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:25 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
For this 24th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting #Inupiat #Kiowa artist Kunaq Marjorie Tahbone’s children’s book “Uluit Atuqtaatka.”

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #indigenous #books #booksky #childrensbooks #ulu #alaska #alaskanative #native

verastarbard.com/2025/11/24/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 24
We’re headed back to children’s literature for this twenty fourth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month. “Uluit Atuqtaatka” by Inupiat/Kiowa writer and illustrator Kunaq Marjorie Tahbone is all about…
verastarbard.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:54 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
“A show for every family trying to raise kids who understand that the strongest communities are the ones where everybody has something valuable to contribute—and that there is no lone hero who will save our land and our homes, or preserve our culture and stories. Only we can do that for each other.”
Why ‘Molly’s Epic Adventure’ Belongs on Every Family’s Watchlist This Native American Heritage Month
The new miniseries is a spin-off of the PBS Kids show 'Molly of Denali.'
www.parents.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
theatreweekly.com
The prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has revealed the finalists for its 48th annual international playwriting award
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Announces 2025-26 Finalists
The prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has revealed the finalists for its 48th annual international playwriting award
theatreweekly.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
westendtheatre.com
AWARDS: The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2025-26 finalists announced by Pedro Pascal

🔗 www.westendtheatre.com/324879/news/...

Finalists have been announced for the prestigious
#SusanSmithBlackburnPrize 2025-26 - recognising women+ writers for plays
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2025-26 finalists announced | West End Theatre
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced the finalists for its 2025-26 playwriting award. The Prize is the largest and oldest international playwriting award recognising women+ writers for plays ...
www.westendtheatre.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 23rd day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting the #memoir “So, How Long Have You Been Native?” by #Aleut #Yup’ik scholar Alexis C. Burton.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #indigenous #alaskanative #alaska #books #booksky #nativeamerican #tourism

verastarbard.com/2025/11/23/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 23
For the twenty third day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we are highlighting a memoir by Aleut/Yup’ik writer Alexis C. Bunten, “So, How Long Have You Been Native?” Her essays explore Alaska Native…
verastarbard.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:02 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 22nd day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting Koyukon #Athabascan storyteller Catherine Attla’s “Bekk'aatugh Ts'uhuney: Stories We Live By.”

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #indigenous #dine #books #booksky #authors #womenwriters #alaskanative

verastarbard.com/2025/11/22/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 22
On this twenty second day of Alaska Native Heritage Month and we’re highlighting “Bekk’aatugh Ts’uhuney: Stories We Live By” from Koyukon Athabascan storyteller Catherine Attla. These a…
verastarbard.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
alaskapoet.bsky.social
Ok world… give me some good news! Zap! ⚡️ Here it comes—I’m happy to announce I received Honorable Mention for the Alaska Wilderness League’s Adam Kolton Storytelling Award! 🌊 I’m an official Alaskan storyteller!

#AlaskaBlueSky #AlaskaSky #Alaska #AlaskaWildernessLeague #Wrangell
Storyteller is standing on a beach with a calm ocean in background. Woman is wearing long woven earrings.
November 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
alaskapoet.bsky.social
Amazing project coming to the screen! 🍿

#AlaskaSky #Alaska
First screen adaptation of 'Two Old Women' told in severely endangered Athabascan language
The new film premiered in Hawai'i last month, with homecoming showings scheduled in Alaska in December.
www.ktoo.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:54 PM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 21st day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting “The Winter Walk” by #Inupiat author Loretta Outwater Cox.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #alaskanative #indigenous #books #booksky #writer #inupiaq #inuit #nativebooks #indigenousauthor #alaska

verastarbard.com/2025/11/21/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 21
On this twenty first day of Alaska Native Heritage Month we’re highlighting “The Winter Walk” by Inupiat author Loretta Outwater Cox. It’s a tough, true story passed to the author from her ancestor…
verastarbard.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:27 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 20th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting #Inupiat #Tlingit #Nisga’a #writer Lily H. Tuzroyluke’s #novel “Sivuliiq.” A fictional #book with historical foundation.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #booksky #indigenous #firstnations #book

verastarbard.com/2025/11/20/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 20
On this twentieth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month we’re highlighting Inupiat/Tlingit/Nisga’a writer Lily H. Tuzroyluke’s “Sivuliiq,” a fictional work with strong historical foundation. Inupiat/…
verastarbard.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:33 PM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 19th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting #Yup’ik agricultural specialist Elias Kelly’s memoir about life in #Alaska.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #alaskanative #yupik #indigenous #books #booksky #writer #author #native #nativeamerican

verastarbard.com/2025/11/19/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 19
On this nineteenth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month we’re highlighting “My Side of the River” by Yup’ik writer Elias Kelly. In this memoir Elias gives a unique look at ecological and legal discu…
verastarbard.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this 18th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re celebrating #Tlingit scholars Nora Marks Dauenhauer’s “Life Woven With Song.”

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #booksky #writer #indigenous #alaskanative #alaska #nativeamerican #indiegnousart #poetry #poem

verastarbard.com/2025/11/18/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 18
On this eighteenth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re celebrating “Life Woven With Song” by Tlingit scholar Nora Marks Dauenhauer. It’s a beautiful collection of poems, plays, and stories. …
verastarbard.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
joeytainment.bsky.social
For Your Consideration:
Pow! - Best Animated Short Film
Directed by Joey Clift

"Pow! Invites viewers into a big Indian world with an even bigger heart."
- Julian Brave Noisecat, Director, SugarCane

"Everything a good short should be!"
- Mike Rianda, Director, The Mitchells vs. the Machines
A "For Your Consideration" poster for the animated short film "Pow!" for Best Animated Short Film. Featuring quotes from Sugarcane director Julian Brave Noisecat and The Mitchells Vs. The Machines director Mike Rianda hyping up the film!
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
ktoopublicmedia.bsky.social
KYUK, one of the few sources of local news and native language programming in the region devastated by last month's storm, lost federal funding that was up to 70% of its budget and plans to make cuts in January.

(From @npr.org)
Alaska station that covered devastating storm cuts jobs
KYUK public TV and radio station in Western Alaska serves dozens of villages damaged by Typhoon Halong. But with federal funding eliminated, KYUK makes severe cuts to its staff and news department.
www.ktoo.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
verastarbard.bsky.social
I vastly underestimated how many blanket forts and pillow forts I would be building as a cat employee. Aan Séek’ will actually tap me on the arm now to ask for a new fort.

#cat #cats #calico
November 18, 2025 at 2:59 AM
verastarbard.bsky.social
On this seventeenth day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting the children’s #picturebook “How the Raven Got His Crooked Nose” by #Dena’ina mother/son team Barbara J. Atwater and Ethan J. Atwater.

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #indigenous #writer

verastarbard.com/2025/11/17/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 17
For our seventeenth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re highlighting “How Raven Got His Crooked Nose.” This is a traditional Dena’ina story retold by Dena’ina mother/son team Barbara J. Atwa…
verastarbard.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:33 PM
verastarbard.bsky.social
For our sixteenth day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re highlighting Tlingit/Inupiat poet Ishmael Hope’s book “Courtesans of Flounder Hill.”

#nativeamericanheritagemonth #alaskanativeheritagemonth #tlingit #inupiat #poetry #books #writer #alaska #booksky

verastarbard.com/2025/11/16/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 16
On our sixteenth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re highlighting “Courtesans of Flounder Hill” by Tlingit/Inupiat poet Ishmael Hope. While Ishmael has a considerable catalogue, including ad…
verastarbard.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Reposted by Vera Starbard
alaskapoet.bsky.social
😢 📻!
Alaska station that covered devastating storm cuts jobs
A public TV and radio station in Western Alaska serves dozens of villages damaged by Typhoon Halong. But with federal funding eliminated, KYUK makes severe cuts to its staff and news department.
n.pr
November 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM