Olga Michael

Common card · No. 272662

Olinka "Olga" Arrsamquq Michael (Russian: Ольга Аррсамкук Майкл; née Arrsamquq, (1916-02-03)February 3, 1916 – (1979-11-08)November 8, 1979), known as Olga Michael, Olga of Alaska, Olga of Kwethluk, or Matushka Olga (Russian: матушка Ольга), was a Native American Eastern Orthodox midwife, matushka, and saint from Alaska. In 2025, she became the first North American woman, and the first Yup'ik person, to be canonized as an Eastern Orthodox saint. Olga Arrsamquq was born in Kwethluk, Alaska to Native American parents of the Yup'ik people in 1916. In 1935, she married Nicolai Michael, a man who would go on to become an Orthodox priest. From there she became a "matushka" (a Russian term for a priest's wife), becoming important in the religious community. Outside of church life, she worked as a midwife, a traditional healer, and an English teacher. She became an important figure of advice and counseling, particularly among women. Michael died of cancer on November 8, 1979, in Kwethluk. After...

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