Willie Kasayulie was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and raised in Akiachak, Alaska. He attended boarding schools in Wrangell and Oregon. He was seen as a promising student at Oregon’s Chemawa Indian School and was selected to attend a high school in Vermont. Willie returned to Alaska in 1971 the same year ANCSA was established. Willie was in the Alaska National Guard for seven years. He is married to his wife Sophie Kasayulie and has raised five children. He has been involved in many Alaska Native organizations such as the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Association of Village Council Presidents, Regional School Board, and the Akiachak Limited serving as board chairman. Currently he sits on the board of directors for the Calista Corporation and the Yupiit School District. Willie is interested in being on Alaska Pacific University’s Elder’s Council in regard to APU transitioning into a tribal college. He believes that education is important and that younger generations are our most essential resources. Allowing students the opportunity to higher education will help build generations to come.
