Alice Zackar was born In Newhalen, Alaska on May 8, 1932 to Anuska and John Angqurak. She has one brother, Murphy Nickoli, and two half sisters: Dolly Gust and Stephanita Apokedak. She spent portions of her childhood in Newhalen and Kokhanok before moving to Igiugig and getting married.

As a child Alice was very hyper and did not like to stay indoors.  She was constantly running about outside, climbing trees, sledding, and getting wood.  She remembers using paper, cardboard, and furs to go sledding with; as most of her winters were spent sliding around the hills in the villages where she lived.

When Alice was about seven years old she broke her back. She was playing with a reindeer harness one day at Kukaklek with her friend Mary Olympic. They strung the harness from a high tree branch and were using a log to reach the harness and then swing from it. While climbing the log, Alice slipped while reaching for the harness and landed on her back across the log. It was not until two years later that Alice was sent to Anchorage to have her back looked at.  She ended up in a cast from her neck to the end of her back for two or three years.  When she got out of the hospital she went to school in Newhalen for about two years.  Alice said she enjoyed school and was sad when she had to leave.  School was not as important to people, families, or children when Alice was young.  As a result, whenever her family needed her help with chores, house duties, or moving she had to leave school.  She wanted to go to continue her education with high school, but learned that her family had arranged a marriage for her.   

In 1958 Alice was married to Simeon Zackar.  The marriage between the two was arranged by Alice's parents.  Alice and Simeon had five children together. Two have since deceased, but John, Mary (Marie), and Greg all live in Igiugig today. 

Alice enjoyed several activities when she was young, but her favorite thing to do was travel and visit her friends. Unfortunately, Alice had limited modes of transportation. She could travel via dogs and a sled in the winter when everything was frozen, by boat in the spring and the summer, or walk provided a trail was open.  Alice would often take long walks along the beach gathering wood for her house.  Often times, a string was used as a harness while carrying the heavy wood across the beaches.  Alice recalls that the string acted like an extra hand holding and steadying the wood against the back. 

Alice has settled down and spends a lot of her time visiting her eight grandchildren and sewing.  She also likes to travel to the surrounding villages visiting her friends and family. 

Alice (left) and her half sister Dolly Gust.

Alice with her brother Murphy Nicholi.

Alice with her son Greg in the 1970's in Igiugig.

Alice sits with her friends at the annual Igiugig Craft Fair.