Bernard Pete, Nunam Iqua, RAHI 2021
Bernard Pete is from Nunam Iqua, a small community on Alaska’s western coast whose name means “end of the land” in Yup’ik. Bordered by the Yukon River on one side and the Bering Sea on the other, Nunam Iqua sits at the edge of two worlds; land and water, tradition and discovery. Bernard grew up as one of eight children in a large, close-knit family. He is part of a RAHI legacy, as his father Stanley Pete attended in 1989.
He attended high school at the Nenana Living Center from tenth through twelfth grade, where Resident Advisor Jeremy Haire encouraged him to apply for RAHI. Bernard remembers feeling unsure at first. “I didn’t think I’d get in,” he said, “but I applied just to see what would happen.” When he learned he’d been placed on the waitlist, he returned home to Nunam Iqua for the summer, disappointed but hopeful. Then, one day, as if by fate, he found himself saying out loud that he wished he could have the chance to try something new beyond his home community, and within minutes, the phone rang. It was RAHI who offered him a spot in the cohort. His response was immediate: “Absolutely, I’ll attend. This is the dream of my life!”
Bernard arrived in Fairbanks that summer, full of anticipation, and quickly found his place among a group of students who shared his curiosity and sense of humor. They called themselves The Weird Group, a nickname they wore proudly. His favorite class was Alaska Native Studies: Indigenous Cultures of Alaska, which deepened his understanding of the histories of the state’s Indigenous people. He was also enrolled in Process Technology, a course that initially inspired him to pursue engineering when he entered the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
With time, though, Bernard realized that his true calling lay in helping others. He transitioned into Social Work, where he found the perfect balance of purpose and challenge. Today, he’s on track to graduate with his Bachelor’s in Social Work in May 2026 and is interning with the Office of Children’s Services, supporting families during times of need.
Looking back, Bernard admits he was nervous about attending RAHI. Coming from a small community, he worried about whether he would fit in or keep up academically. But the program became a turning point. When he started college at UAF, he already knew his way around campus: where the Wood Center was, how to find Rural Student Services for advising and support, and where to go for classes and the library. “Having that experience before freshman year really helped me land on campus in a position of awareness,” he said.
Before RAHI, Bernard wasn’t sure if college was right for him. He figured he’d try it and see, maybe just for a semester or two. But RAHI changed that. Surrounded by peers who were academically motivated and open to exploring new ideas, he began to picture a bigger future for himself. “It helped me realize that I wanted to go to college,” he said. “It helped me make a plan for my life.”
He credits RAHI with teaching practical study skills that continue to serve him well, from note-taking and time management to using a planner effectively. His advice to future students is simple: “Try it out. It’s an awesome opportunity. It’s an experience I’ve never had since, so I’m glad I took it when I had the chance.”
To donors, university leaders, and legislators, Bernard offers heartfelt appreciation and a reminder of what’s at stake. “RAHI gives students the opportunity to decide what direction they want to pursue in life,” he said. “It helps us see what’s possible.”
With his degree in sight and a career in social work ahead, Bernard is ready to take the next step. He’s excited to graduate in May 2026, eager to serve Alaska’s families, and confident that the foundation built at RAHI will continue to guide him. The young man from the “end of the land” now looks forward to a wide-open future, full of possibilities.