My name is Valerie Pingayak. My Cup'ik name is Qassuq, and I'm named after my maternal grandmothers. I'm Cup'ik from the Kashunamiut Tribe. My parents are John and Teresa Pingayak also of Chevak. My focus is on the prevention of substance use and suicide, the promotion of mental health, and the development of action plans for sustainable community health efforts.