Jenny Irene Wiagañmiu Miller

Jenny Irene Miller (she/they), known by her Iñupiaq name Wiagañmiu, was born on March 14, 1988 in Sitŋasuaq (Nome, Alaska) and her family is from Kiŋigin (Wales). Jenny is the daughter of Charlotte Miller (Charlotte’s partner is Jeff Newbauer) and is the sister of Andrew Jake Miller. Her great grandparents were Helen and Willie Senungetuk (her Ahka and Adada). Her grandparents were Cora Olson and her husband Larry Olson (Grammy and Grampy), and Emily and Hank Miller. Her aunties and uncles are Leah Warburton, Cynthia Williams, Laura Olson, Kathy and Wayne Horton, Eric Olson, Sharon Simko, Jeanie Taylor, Marsha Staggs, the late Johnny Miller, Teresa, Wayne Miller, and Tony Miller. Jenny’s family is large, including many cousins who grew up together like siblings.
Jenny’s wife is Nora Gecan.
Jenny is a friend, mentor, and beloved community member to many throughout Alaska and beyond.
Jenny grew up in her beloved Nome and then in Fairbanks, where she attended high school and made some lifelong friends. Jenny would recruit her friends to be her subjects for photo shoots, already showing her dedication to art. She continued on her path receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photo Media and a Bachelor of Art in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington. It was there where she transitioned from mainstream photography to focusing her work on identity and community.
Jenny earned a master’s degree of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of New Mexico. She felt a deep connection to the people and lands in the Albuquerque area because of the similarities they shared with her home. She loved her time in the high desert.
A full-time practicing artist, she worked primarily in photography. Her images captured the spirit of people and place with such care and intention. She put her subjects at ease with her quick smile, quiet confidence, and authenticity.
Among the recognition Jenny received for her art, she was a part of the prestigious 2023 Silver List, a distinguished collection of 24 photographers selected by a panel of nearly 100 curators, educators, publishers and photography experts across North America.
Jenny was also an amazing teacher who had a profound impact on her students. She taught at the university level at University of New Mexico during her master’s program as well as here in Alaska at Alaska Pacific University. She taught workshops and travelled to rural communities to teach. Jenny’s hope was to one day teach full time and long-term at a university.
Jenny always held a strong vision for her life and future as an artist. Even when a high school guidance counselor told her that going into photography as an undergraduate was a bad idea, she learned how to apply for colleges and art programs and eventually got into one of the most competitive undergraduate photography programs in the country at University of Washington. That was Jenny - she knew her path and honored herself and her family of artists and storytellers every day of her life as she stayed on that path. Every step that she took, she reached out a hand to bring someone with her, teaching other adults and kids about photography, storytelling, and art making, encouraging people to tell their unique and important stories, and believing in them. It wasn’t that she never had doubts or worries, but she had strong purpose and joy in her work.
As a board member of Native Movement Jenny contributed to the protection of lands and peoples throughout Alaska.
As a member of the Alaska Native Arts Directory Steering Committee, she helped build systems of support and visibility for Indigenous artists across the state. She was a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+, Two-Spirit, and Indigenous communities. She was a role-model and mentor for LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit youth and always worked to create affirming spaces where people felt seen, supported and empowered. Jenny broadened the expression of both Alaska Native and Queer identity, making it possible for more people to be our authentic selves.
Jenny believed in connection and survival through remembrance, through storytelling, through humor and joy, and through patient and attentive looking and observing of the world. In a recent article that accompanies her work, On This Sand (Together), about the site of her family’s fish camp in Nome, Jenny wrote: “How do we tell stories of place when that place is gone? It is through stories that we survive.”
Jenny was also very funny, mischievous, and always a joy to be around. She brought people out of their shells and made them feel welcome. She was a special person.
Jenny met her wife Nora in August of 2014, in Dgheyay Kaq’ (Anchorage) where they made their home with their dog, Freddy. Jenny and Nora surrounded themselves with beautiful friendships grounded in kindness, generosity and humor. Together they created a community of people across Alaska and the country that loved and supported each other from near and far.
When you are with Jenny and Nora not only do you feel love you feel a deep sense of connection.
Jenny’s family, friends, and community celebrated her life on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. She is treasured, loved and remembered.