Local Firm Unveils New ‘Alaska Native Corporate Culture Camps’
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Bloom Communications, a Fairbanks-based, Alaska Native, female-owned firm, has introduced “Alaska Native Corporate Culture Camps” and cultural coaching services for businesses and organizations looking to engage with Alaska Native communities.
“Living and working in Alaska is different than anywhere else. Understanding, appreciating, and connecting with our state’s Indigenous people and cultures is crucial for businesses to grow and thrive. However, opportunities to learn and connect have been few and far between. With our new Corporate Culture Camps, we hope to fill that gap,” says Charlene Ostbloom, founder of Bloom Communications.
Drawing on Experience
Bloom Communications will offer quarterly camps in both Fairbanks and Anchorage, where participants will gain the knowledge and sensitivity to confidently navigate Alaska Native communities with respect and understanding. The first Corporate Culture Camps will be held in Fairbanks February 22-23, and in Anchorage March 7-8. Bloom also offers private, customized trainings, as well as cultural coaching services.
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May 2024
“Our mission is to facilitate meaningful connections between Alaska businesses and Alaska Native communities and organizations, with a goal to fuel mutually successful collaborations and a genuine appreciation of our state’s diverse cultural heritage,” says Ostbloom.
Ostbloom developed the camp curriculum by drawing from her own personal and professional experiences. Topics cover Alaska’s history, regions and economy; diverse indigenous languages, values, traditions and cultural revitalization initiatives; the complex network of Alaska Native businesses and organizations; contemporary issues facing Alaska Native people; and the intricacies of traveling and working in rural Alaska.
Born and raised in rural Alaska, Ostbloom has deep roots in her Alaska Native culture. With a communications and public relations career spanning decades, she has extensive experience in Alaska Native stakeholder engagement. In both work and personal life, she has spent significant time in more than sixty rural communities across Alaska. Ostbloom is a shareholder of Doyon, Limited and Gana-A’Yoo, Limited, bringing firsthand knowledge and experience working with Alaska Native regional and village corporations, as well as tribal entities.
For more information or to register for the upcoming camps, visit www.bloominak.com.
Making History
The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.