Alaska Men

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Our Alaska Woman
Jeanie Greene

Traditionally, we feature one Alaska woman who shines brightly in each issue. Some people may wonder why we feature an Alaska woman in a magazine of single men.

Our reply is that we Feel it is important to show all of our readers that Alaska women are special too.

These women are, of course, not for correspondence but instead to show their unique lifestyles. They are independent, confident, strong willed and down-to-earth ladies and we enjoy showing you what they're up to.

Alaska women are doing so many different things and best of ail they're doing them in their own unique ways.

We think they're quite an inspiration for us all.

Everyone, it seems, knows Jeanie Greene. An unforgettable person, she leaves you feeling that she is your old friend, your ally someone you'd definitely want in your corner if there war a battle to fight. Meeting her in person, you can't help but be amazed by all the energy, power, and determination packed into her 5' frame.

An Inupiat (Northern Eskimo), Jeanie fights a daily battle. Her desire is simple and yet complex. A voice for Native Alaskans, she drives home the importance of having pride in who you are and using your voice to be heard. As the creator producer, host and reporter of Heartbeat Alaska, she does just that. Driven by love for her people, she uses that drive with amazing results.

Heartbeat Alaska is the first Native-owned, produced and staffed weekly news program to be aired nationwide in the history of American television. The program began with a strong following in rural "bush" Alaska, and its popularity spread throughout the far north. The homey friendly non-showbiz feel of the show is inviting. Villages and individuals are encouraged to make and send in videos for the show.

"We are just showing what it's like our there and listening to people and allowing Native people to get their own stories TV," explains Jeanie. "It's interesting. No one's ever done it before. This program shows people, kids especially, that it is okay to be Native."

Since the show's beginning in October 1992, Jeanie has done what seemed impossible She begin by cleaning out her apartment where she set up a studio with used equipment Yet, she has never missed a deadline, producing weekly programs, working seven days a week. Many of these she edited single-handedly, including the camera work.

Jeanie has now syndicated the show not just nationwide but internationally. Heartbeat Alaska is now broadcast across Alaska and beyond in Northern Canada, Greenland, Russia, and the Lower 48. Next will be England, Germany, and the Orient. The show has won numerous national and international awards, and Jeanie has been featured in national magazines such as People and is the subject of documentaries and news stories. Heartbeat Alaska has grown to become the voice for all Native Americans, airing in all 50 stares.

"We've been welcomed into the homes of a people once ignored or stereotyped by people in the media," says Jeanie "We all celebrate together, a program based on our views, our perspectives, our philosophy is not to bash heads, but to gently educate, inform, entertain. Native people have embraced Heartbeat Alaska. Without their enthusiastic support, my effort would be meaningless. We are proud that they have invited us into their homes, to sit with them and bring a dish to their table. We are changing the perceptions of Native Americans; we have changed the face of television. There is no turning back."

As it does for other leaders, growth brings change. The show Jeanie loves is expanding, as is her viewpoint. She sees us as all part of the family of man, and as guardians of the land and animals. Raised traditionally in the Native people belief of responsibility for who we are, what we are, and where we are, Jeanie, a Christian, hopes to spread her philosophy to people everywhere. No matter a person's religion, creed, or color, Jeanie feels it is her responsibility to teach respect for individual rights to their own beliefs. We all talk about that ideal, but Jeanie is determined to show the world that it can be done and we can do it together.

For more information on Jeanie and Heartbeat Alaska, call (907) 563-7440 or fax (907) 563-9309.

Susie's Alaska Men Magazine, Third Quarter 1998