James Dommek Jr. is an Inupiaq podcaster, documentary filmmaker, and storyteller, originally from Kotzebue, Alaska. He’s best known for his true crime podcast Midnight Son, which he also adapted into a series on Hulu called Blood and Myth. 

While he is known for these dark stories of crime and violence, Dommek Jr. decided to show another side of himself and his ancestry at an event called Inupiaq Joy. It was held at The Nave in Spenard on May 20th. 

The show started off with a performance from the Ilakus Dance Group before Dommek Jr. took the stage for an evening of comedy and storytelling. He told four stories that were from his great grandfather, Palangun, who missionaries renamed Paul Monroe. Palangun was one of the last great Inupiaq storytellers and he preserved these stories in collaboration with anthropologist Edwin S. Hall in the 1970s. 

Following the event, Dommek Jr. stopped by the ATMI studio to talk about Inupiaq Joy. ATMI producer, Nathan Pobieglo spoke with him about what went into the event, his great grandfather, and how breaking rules led him to success. 

Hosted by Charlie Groat. Video production by Xander Eaton, Logan Ehrhart, and Deacon Laurance. This episode was edited by Kyle Smith and Carter Vermiere.

Our show’s theme music is by Kendrick Whiteman with additional music from Devin Shreckengost. 

Listen:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Audible

Soundcloud

Podbean

---

This episode was made possible with funding from Rasmuson Foundation through the Arts in Education Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts.

With additional support from the Atwood Foundation.

The views expressed in this program do not necessarily represent the views of our sponsors.

Alaska Teen Media Institute is based in Anchorage, Alaska. We would like to acknowledge the Dena’ina people, whose land we work on.