Honoring a lifetime of leadership and service by investing in the education of Northway's next generation.
The Rosemarie Maher Academic Scholarship Fund was created and initially funded in 2025 to honor the life and legacy of Rosemarie Maher (1947–2001). Northway Natives, Incorporated is a major donor for this scholarship fund, which is managed and administered by the board of directors of the Northway non-profit entity, N.O.R.T.H.W.A.Y., Inc.
Rosemarie began her professional journey in road construction and, through hard work, perseverance, and visionary leadership, rose to serve as President and CEO of Doyon, Limited. Her dedication spanned over two decades on the Doyon board, culminating in her appointment as CEO in 2000—a testament to her commitment to her people and her belief in the power of growth through opportunity. Throughout her life, Rosemarie was a steadfast advocate for education and personal growth. She encouraged others to pursue their academic and professional dreams—whether through vocational training or higher education. This scholarship celebrates her commitment to empowering others and continues her legacy of supporting future generations.
Born to James and Ada Gallen at fish camp along the Nabesna River, near her home community of Northway, Rosemarie was raised in the traditional ways of Athabascan heritage, deeply rooted in culture and community. As a teenager, she pursued formal education at Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, followed by East High School in Anchorage. After graduating, she continued her studies at Alaska Business College and, in 1969, moved to Fairbanks, where she worked for several U.S. government agencies.
In the mid-1970s, Rosemarie returned to Northway and was elected President of the Northway Village Council. There, she helped establish the Upper Tanana Alcohol Program in the Tok region, addressing community wellness through grassroots leadership. She was instrumental in founding Greater Northway Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to overseeing infrastructure and economic development in the area. Rosemarie was also a shareholder of Northway Natives, the village corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and served as President 1976–1988. She managed the Naabia Niign subsidiaries of Northway Natives Inc.
From 1976 to 1984, she served in public education as a member of the Alaska Gateway School District Board and as a director for the Northwest Regional Education Lab, a nonprofit research organization based in Portland, Oregon. Demonstrating her wide-ranging skills and work ethic, Rosemarie was also a member of the Teamsters Union and worked summers in road construction and hazardous waste cleanup from 1992 to 2000.
At the statewide level, Rosemarie's leadership was far-reaching. She served as Co-Chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives 1997–2000 and held appointments on the Alaska Board of Game, the Governor's Commission on Local Governance and Empowerment, and the Governor's Highway and Natural Gas Policy Council. Her lifelong commitment to service, education and community empowerment left profound and enduring impacts—not only on her Athabascan people, but on communities throughout Alaska.
Enrolled member of the Northway Tribe
Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Full-time or part-time enrollment status
Full-time students — half distributed in fall, second half in spring, dependent on the 3.0 GPA requirement.
Part-time students — half distributed in fall, second half in spring, dependent on the 3.0 GPA requirement.
Vocational training, depending on full- or part-time status — half distributed in fall, second half in spring, dependent on the 3.0 GPA requirement.
The completed application form, available for download above or in person at the NNI office.
Your essay should address all four topics below.
Share your academic goals and explain why you are passionate about your chosen field of study. What inspired this path? What subjects or learning experiences excite you most, and how do they align with your purpose or vision for the future?
Describe your career plans after completing your education or training. How do you hope to apply your knowledge and skills? What kind of work do you envision yourself doing, and how will it serve your community or fulfill your long-term goals?
Reflect on how your Native heritage and culture have shaped your identity and life experiences. Consider sharing personal stories or insights about the traditions, values, teachings, or relationships that have guided your growth. How has your culture influenced the way you see the world and the choices you've made?
Describe your connection to your Native community and the ways you've made a positive impact—volunteering, mentoring, organizing cultural or educational events, preserving language or traditions, or simply showing up as a role model. How have your actions helped uplift others or strengthen your community?
Letters should address the academic performance of the student and their character traits, including qualities that make them a strong candidate for the Rosemarie Maher Scholarship. Each letter must be dated within the past year and written on official letterhead that includes the author's contact information. Letters should be sent directly to N.O.R.T.H.W.A.Y., Inc. either with an original signature by mail, or emailed directly from the author.
A copy of the letter of acceptance or enrollment verification letter, along with the class schedule for the semester applying for, from the school the student will be attending. Must show the student's field of study and class standing.
Transcripts from the last school attended, for each semester while enrolled in higher education.
Completed application packets are reviewed by a scholarship review committee and scored across four areas, for a total of 100 possible points.
Based on each of the four topics listed above — 0–10 points for each.
10 points per point of grade average (A = 4.0, B = 3.0–3.9).
5 points for each letter.
How well the application is put together, the vision of the student, their accomplishments, and community involvement.
The overall impression of the application is based on the quality of the materials submitted. Please ensure all documents are professionally presented, carefully proofread, and that all instructions are followed closely.
Email googie1962@gmail.com or pick one up in person from the NNI office.
N.O.R.T.H.W.A.Y., Inc. full board
Emma Hildebrand, President
N.O.R.T.H.W.A.Y., Inc.
P.O. Box 422
Northway, Alaska 99764
Or email googie1962@gmail.com