On Jan 14, Mvskoke Media was informed of the passing of Radio Specialist Gary Fife. Services for Fife are pending. Fife’s family is coordinating a public memorial service celebrating his life. Mvskoke Media will update with more details as they become available.
Read more about Gary Fife: Native American Radio Pioneer Honored as Living Legend
Read more: Native journalism pioneer
Read more: Fife wins lifetime award from OKSPJ
Saddened to hear of the crossing over of my brother and friend of 47 years. We met when I was an intern for the United Indian Planners Association in 1977. Such a wealth of knowledge about Indian Affairs because he was there covering the news when it was happening.
Gary and Tim Giago were my mentors and both made me a better journalist. Gary was very hands on as a radio news director. I send my condolences to all who loved him and all of the journalists who became good at what they do because of Gary Fife.
From DC to Minneapolis to Alaska to Oklahoma, Gary was our true and trusted friend. When my wife Laura and I went to Anchorage, we had several days with the Fifes viewing smoking volcanos and riding horses on the beach. Everywhere, Gary was recognized as the face of public Native news. Much sadness here but what a professional and fun guy to know.
Praying for your gentle journey-
…from Alaska I send my unconditional regard!
Gunalchéesh for your life and contributions to indigenous radio!❤️👏🏼
I’m very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I knew him when he worked as director, reporter and host of First Person Radio for MIGZiZI Communications in Minneapolis in the 1980’s. He was a committed journalist, telling the stories that were not covered by other media at the time. Gary was supportive of colleagues and moved Native journalism forward in Minnesota and the nation. My condolences to Gary’s family and community.
Sadness is overwhelming at the loss of Gary. I have known him over 40 years. We met in Anchorage Alaska and where there are two or more Creeks, there will be wild onions. The last time we spoke was at the Living Legends ceremony and I shared this memory of his time in Anchorage.
A young Inupiaq boy who killed his first polar bear was being acknowledged by his community (King Island). They were holding a special dance and ceremony to honor him at the Anchorage Museum. Everyone was welcomed to come and join in the celebration. The Museum had a rotunda where a large tarp was laid down and on this tarp was the untanned hide of the polar bear. We were able to touch it and admire its enormous size. Everyone was sitting on the floor surrounding the bear. There was Native dancing, storytelling and sharing of the elders on the importance of the kill and how it sustained the community. In the midst of it all, there was Gary with tape recorder, handheld microphone and a headset held together by duct tape. He was recording all that was going on and interviewing Native elders in-between all the dancing.
The ceremony was coming to an end and the grandfather of the young boy started speaking in Inupiaq and just by his actions and the pride in his voice you knew exactly what he was saying even though you didn’t speak the language. The elder of the community started cutting the hide of the bear and handing large portions to Native elders sitting around the bear. Gary was on his knees and shooting around on the floor trying to capture the conversations between the elder and the recipients. His head was down monitoring the sound meter with his hand holding up the microphone. I witnessed the elder walking in his direction. Gary moving from side to side trying not to block the elder going among the elders in the gathering. Gary would move one way and the elder would move, Gary moved and the elder would move. After several more repositioning’s from Gary, he finally realized that the elder was trying to get to him. The elder bent over and held out a fur piece and Gary dropped his microphone, recorder and pulled off his headset and held both hand above him and accepted the piece with tears running down his face. He glanced at me knowing that this was an honor giving to their own and with this gesture he was considered one of them. His work and ability to share the stories of the Native people in Alaska was honored by Native communities throughout the state.
Such a deserving man to be acknowledged for his honest and meaningful representation of Native people in the Nation. Job well done brother.
Thank you for sharing this story! I didn’t know Gary personally but have always believed iw was the “resl deal”
I was so sad to hear of Gary’s passing. Twice, I had the honor of being on Gary’s radio show when he, and Morgan Taylor, interviewed me. He was a true professional and so wise in all areas he covered on air. He will be missed!