Ellen Paneok

Ellen Evak Paneok (October 17, 1959 – March 2, 2008) was the first Alaskan woman of indigenous ancestry to become a licensed pilot. Paneok was a bush pilot, an author and an artist. She was inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame in 2012.

Background and early life Ellen Evak was born on October 17, 1959, to Ron Burgandine of the United States Air Force, and his wife Bernice Evak Burgandine, who was of Inupiat ancestry.

Aviation career Inspired by a magazine article, and enabled by income from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Paneok pursued her dream of becoming a pilot beginning in 1976. Counselors in her detention center required her to attend therapy sessions because of her admitted total obsession with flying. She often skipped school to attend flying lessons at Merrill Field. In order to continue the lessons, she began creating and selling scrimshaw to visiting tourists in the area. She received her pilot's license in 1979, becoming the first female licensed pilot of indigenous Alaskan ancestry. She was an operations inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, and a statewide safety coordinator for the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation. In 1997, she was an honored guest at the "Women in Flight" exhibit of the National Air and Space Museum. One of the stories she told at the event was about an airstrip having to be cleared of polar bears before her plane could land.

Her ivory scrimshaw and original paintings are now in museums in Alaska. In 2012, Paneok was inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.

The Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation funds a scholarship in Paneok's name.