REYNOLD D. PAPA JOE OKITKUN — Candidate Statement (DOE 2026)

Okitkun Reynold D. Papa Joe Nonpartisan Position sought State Representative 39 Mailing address P.O. Box 20104, Kotlik AK 99620 Reynold okitkunahoo.com Biographical information Age 60 Place of Emanac, Alaska Spouse's name Lillian Sinka Children's Anders Sinka Okitkun Nadine Sinka Okitkun Louis Okitkun Neve Okitkun Occupation Community human service provider Length of residency in Alaska 60 years Alaskan communities lived in Kotlik 1967-2026 Emanac 1966-1967St. Mary's 1980-1984 Fairbanks 1984-1987 Education St. Mary's High School Mission 1980-1984 University of Alaska, Fairbanks 1984-1987 Political and government positions Mayor of Kotlik, 1996-1999 Kotlik City Council board member, 1993-1996 Village of Kotlik Tribal Council board member 1999-2002 Business and professional positions Lower Yukon School District Human Service Provider 2017-2026 Lysd Natural Helper Coordinator 2001-2012 Lysd Homeschool Coordinator, 1999-2001 Indian Child Welfare Advocate 1994-1996 Service organizations Membership Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association Board Member 2016-2025 Lysd Regional School Board Member, 2013-2017 Kotlik Utility Board Member, 1994-1996 Special interests Commercial fisherman and subsistence fisherman and hunter Other Biographical information Volunteer participant and supporter of local and regional sports for youth and community cultural potlatch ceremonies, suicide and substance use prevention activities for youth and emergency response for community Member safety Position Statement Fighting for our fishing rights as Native people we rely on our fish and wildlife. Your vote elects a subsistence fisherman and hunter, father and grandfather who speaks for our Yupik and Inupiaq ways of living. Standing up for our rights I will fight for you in Juneau.

As Yupik and Inupiak people, we live traditional and cultural lives, stewards of our land, water, fish and wildlife. The balance between food, fuel and caring for our families are all critical and basic needs that I prioritize. I am running non partisan to vote for what is right for our people. My goals 1. Restore fishing and subsistence rights to our people.

2. Improve public safety and address response time in locating missing and murdered indigenous women and people.

3. Reduce the cost of fuel for our communities. 4. Collaborate with entities and governments to create jobs. I am Upik and Inupiaq, named after my great grandfather Apuk.

I have lived all my life in Kotlik, hunting, fishing, and gathering traditional foods with my family. My mother is Dorothy Okitkun Aloysius. I was raised by my grandparents, Cyril and Anna Okitkun. They taught me about respecting our elders and respecting everything around us. My grandparents taught me to speak up for what is right and stand up for our people.

My professional and cultural roots reflect service to our people. I appreciate your vote. The views expressed in this statement are from the candidate and not endorsed by the Division of Elections. The text of this statement was provided and paid for by the candidate in accordance with AS 15.5 8.030 and 6 AAC 25.690.