Bering Straits Native Corporation board appoints Shaktoolik teacher to vacant seat

The Bering Straits Native Corporation board appointed Silas Paniptchuk of Shaktoolik to its vacant seat at a special meeting Oct. 27, choosing him from 35 applicants, the corporation announced.

Paniptchuk replaces Eugene Asicksik, also of Shaktoolik, who retired with a year left in his term. Shareholders did not vote on the seat. Under BSNC's bylaws, the board appoints a shareholder to finish a vacated term, and Paniptchuk will serve until the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders, when the seat goes back on the ballot.

The other director who retired this year, Tony A. Weyiouanna Sr., left as his term ended, so his seat went to shareholders in the Oct. 3 election.

Any voting shareholder 18 or older could apply for Asicksik's seat from Oct. 5 to Oct. 23 by sending a letter of interest, a resume and a conflict-of-interest questionnaire, according to the corporation's vacancy notice. BSNC's announcement does not name the other 34 applicants or say how the board voted.

Paniptchuk has taught with Kawerak since 2006 and serves on the Shaktoolik City Council, according to BSNC. He previously served on the Bering Strait School District board, the district's Advisory Education Committee and the Shaktoolik Tribal Council. He also fishes commercially and coaches the Shaktoolik boys basketball team.

Asicksik served on the board from 1986 through 2022, according to BSNC. The board appointed him to another vacancy in May 2023, and shareholders reelected him in October 2024 to a three-year term.

The board has filled seats this way before. In 2022, it appointed Isaiah "Ike" Towarak of Unalakleet to the seat of the late board chair Henry Ivanoff Sr.

The announcement does not say whether Paniptchuk plans to run when the seat is on the ballot in 2027.