Uvaa atia Ahnaughuq. My Iñupiaq Eskimo name is Ahnaughuq, which means “Little Girl.”   I’m named after my paternal ahna (grandmother) Katherine Koiyuk (Eningowuk) Barr of Shishmaref. My English name is Amelia Katherine (Barr) Topkok, but everyone calls me Amy. I was born in Kotzebue, and grew up in Kotzebue and Nome. My parents are Delano Naunauq and Minnie Esther Saumik (Onalik) Barr of Shishmaref. My paternal grandparents are the late Katherine (mentioned), and the late Gideon Barr Sr. of Shishmaref, and my maternal grandparents are the late Victoria (Wesley) and the late Herbert Onalik Sr. of Noatak. I am full-blooded Iñupiaq. I speak fluent Norwegian, little Iñupiaq, and grew up speaking English.

 I am working at the Interior-Aleutians Campus with the University of Alaska Fairbanks as Logistics Coordinator. I have earned my bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1997 from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.   I began my masters' degree coursework fall semester 2012. My husband and I have founded the Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers in 1999 and dance frequently with my sons and other members of the group. I am also currently involved with the Alaska Native Education Title VII grant Parent Advisory Committee and firmly believe in providing positive and enlightening opportunities for our Native Youth as well as those interested in furthering their education. My other passions include photography, sewing atikluks, quilting, drawing, socializing, proud parent of three sons, and hopefully serving as a positive role model for other Native women in today’s demanding and fast-paced world.