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Parent of the year: Going it alone

Published on November 16th, 2009

By TAMMY JUDD

Noah Naylor made people laugh when he gave an acceptance speech at the Alaska Federation of Natives president's awards. He was the recipient of this year's Parent of the Year award.

Naylor said, "If you see my girls doing something wrong. Please tell them. It makes it a bit easier for me."

He's dad to Allison, who is in her first year of college, and 9-year-old Chloe.

The AFN president's award for parents of the year "recognizes Alaska Native parents who exhibit many of the qualities and values important to the continued physical, social and cultural survival of Native people. These values may include sharing and teaching of Native culture, love of children, respect for elders, spirituality, cooperation, and responsibility and involvement in the community," the AFN Web site said.

Naylor was chosen because of his strong family values, such as teaching his children to respect all no matter what age, and his involvement with his children's education.

According to the AFN, he uses humor in his parenting, makes time to share in his children's accomplishments and he doesn't give up or gets irritated with them.

He has been raising his daughters for nine years as a single parent.

According to AFN, Noah Anuugii Naylor was born and raised in Kotzebue. His parents are Virgil and Elsie Naylor of Kotzebue.

He earned a bachelor's degree in rural development and works as the deputy director of the Native Village of Kotzebue.

He is also actively involved with the community. For Halloween, Noah and his daughters put together a haunted house so the young people in the community have a "fun place to go."