Mahdi Akal and Issa Spatrisano
Recorded
November 20, 2020
Archived
November 18, 2020
38:57 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv000356
Description
Friends Mahdi Akal (25) and Issa Spartrisano (34) talk about how they met and how they have both come to be Alaskans.Subject Log / Time Code
Mahdi Akal (25) says he met Issa Spartrisano (34) at the airport in Alaska.
Issa talks about working in refugee resettlement. She says Mahdi's family was the first refugee family she picked up from the airport.
Mahdi says he was born in Somalia. He says his family had to leave when the war started in 2006. He says he was 13 years old.
Mahdi remembers the farm his family had in Somalia. He says his family has been able to farm again in Alaska.
Mahdi talks about the refugee resettlement process. He says the UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) decides where you go and sends you an email. He remembers googling Alaska.
Mahdi says he was nervous. He remembers planning to leave Alaska before he had arrived.
Mahdi remembers the first winter in Alaska. He talks about how his religious practices were affected.
Mahdi talks about the people, like Issa, that he has met in Alaska.
Issa talks about her own decision to live in Alaska.
Mahdi says he is learning to ski. He talks about going fishing.
Mahdi talks about being an educator. He talks about why he helps people.
Mahdi talks about becoming an American citizen. He says it is a responsibility.
Participants
- Mahdi Akal
- Issa Spatrisano