April 21, 2022

Dear UAF faculty and staff,

I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Dr. Gordon L. Pullar Sr. Dr. Pullar was a prominent Alutiiq leader who served the Alaska Native community in numerous capacities. A tribal citizen of the Tangirnaq Native Village, he dedicated his life to building awareness and furthering understanding of Indigenous identity, land claims, leadership and organization management. Dr. Pullar previously served on the Tangirnaq Native Village Tribal Council, the Koniag Education Foundation, the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors, and as President of the Kodiak Area Native Association where his work in the area of repatriation helped to lay the groundwork for the development of the Alutiiq Museum. 

Dr. Pullar was a tireless advocate and educational leader. He worked at UAF for over 17 years first as the Director of the Alaska Native Human Resource Development Program and then as the Director of the UAF Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development. In 1994, Dr. Pullar was honored as an associate professor of rural development emeritus and later became the first recipient of the Anayuquq Oscar Kawagley Educators Award (2013). During his career, Dr. Pullar touched the lives of many students and colleagues and will be remembered for his selfless dedication to Alaska Native education.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with this loss, please don’t struggle alone. Free help is available.

For students, the Student Health and Counseling Center can provide support or counseling. Call 907-474-7043 to speak with someone, or, for more information, visit the student counseling services webpage. Employees are eligible for free counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. Please call 1-888-993-7650, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

— Dan White, chancellor