Vera Starbard (born 1982) is a Tlingit/Dena'ina television writer, author, playwright, and editor based in Douglas, Alaska, and the Alaska State Writer Laureate for 2024 to 2026.
Career Starbard began editing and writing as a journalist. She was editor of First Alaskans Magazine, a publication highlighting Alaska Native people, culture and news, for ten years.
In 2016, after premiering her first play, Our Voices Will Be Heard, at Perseverance Theatre, she was named the theatre's playwright-in-residence through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation playwright residency program.
As a television writer, Starbard has written many episodes of the Molly of Denali animated children's program, airing on PBS KIDS. She was nominated for four Emmy Awards for her work on the show. Vera was on the writing staff of ABC's show Alaska Daily. Vera was appointed Alaska State Writer Laureate in 2024, a two-year appointment.
Writing Plays Native Pride (and Prejudice) Fog Woman Our Voices Will Be Heard performed 2016; published 2017; radio adaptation broadcast 2018 Devilfish (2019) A Tlingit Christmas Carol (2020) Yan Tutan (2022)
Television YearShowStationEpisodes2019Molly of DenaliPBS KidsNew NivagiTurn on the Northern Lights2020Canoe JourneyEagle Tale2021Molly and Elizabeth2022Fili-bascan ChefsMidnight Sun Fun Run2023Gold StrikeoutForget-You-NotA Song for LolaAlaska DailyABCMost Reckless Thing I've Ever DoneSuperKittiesDisney JuniorSnow DayShowstopper2024Molly of DenaliPBS KidsA Qyah JuneteenthThanks-for-GivingSuperKittiesDisney JuniorDastardly Dumpster
Other published work "Our Voices Will Be Heard" full-length play in "Contemporary Plays by Women of Color, 2nd Edition" textbook, 2018 "Ax X’oos Shaxwatíx: My feet are firmly planted" essay in "Applied Theatre with Youth: Education, Engagement, Activism" textbook, 2021 "Primitive" essay in "My Life: Growing Up Native in America" anthology, 2024
Recognition 2009: Rasmuson Foundation individual artist award 2016: Mayor's Artist Award, Juneau 2020: Peabody Award (as group for Molly of Denali) 2021: Governor's arts and humanities awards, Alaska native artist 2021: New York Stage and Film NEXUS grant 2022: First Alaskans Institute Young Alaska Native Leader award 2022, 2023: Emmy nominations for outstanding writing in a preschool animation program and for best short form program as co-head writer 2024: Alaska State Writer Laureate 2025: Emmy nomination for outstanding writing for a preschool animated series Thanks-for-giving episode Alaska Literary Award
Personal life Starbard's Lingithttps://tlingitlanguage.com/ name is T'set Kwei, her clan is Leeneidi (dog salmon,) and she's a citizen of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. She was born in Craig, Alaska, was raised in numerous communities around the state of Alaska, and graduated from East Anchorage High School in 2000. Starbard met her husband Joseph "Joe" Bedard in 2011 through an introduction from actress Irene Bedard, Joe's sister. They married in Anchorage, Alaska, and live in Douglas, Alaska.
References