Nuestra huella
Latinos’ Lasting Footprint on Alaska’s Landscape

by gabriela olmos

For too long, the experiences and contributions of Latinos in Alaska have been overlooked or narrated by outsiders. Nuestra Huella (Our Footprint) is the first comprehensive effort to bring together stories from Latino individuals who have been active members of the community for many years. To capture the diverse facets of our history, we intentionally selected individuals representing various national origins, community affiliations, and walks of life. Organized by Enlaces Alaska, Nuestra Huella consists of two exhibitions celebrating Alaska’s Latino history and culture. It will be on view at the Anchorage Museum until April 13. Meet some of the individuals who helped us write our history by sharing their stories and experiences.

Lilian Cabrera
Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Lilian Cabrera arrived in Alaska in 1975, after living in New Jersey for a couple of years. Life was not easy for Latinos in Alaska during the 1970s. At that time, there was almost no public transportation. Those without a car had to walk long distances. Hispanic products were scarce in the stores. “It took us a long time to find canned pigeon peas, and there were no plantains.”
Yet, Latinos found ways to celebrate their culture. Sometimes, Cabrera would improvise a Puerto Rican traditional outfit and dance to merengue and salsa. She joined the Latino Lions women’s group and eventually fell in love with Alaska. Now, her children and grandchildren live here and have kept their Puerto Rican heritage alive. “My granddaughter Victoria already knows how to cook the traditional rice with pigeon peas. It turns out delicious.”
Daniel Esparza
In 1975, Daniel Esparza was pursuing law school in Mexico when he made the bold decision to migrate to Alaska. His first job in the state was at La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant in downtown Anchorage. He fondly recalls his first September in Alaska, eager to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day. “Some Mexican Americans who worked at the military base organized a party. There were very few Latinos in Alaska back then—maybe 10 or 20 attended the celebration.”
Esparza has always been a community-driven immigrant. His activism has impacted numerous groups. He helped establish a food pantry in Fairview, became deeply involved with the Hispanic congregation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, served on the steering committee for community fundraisers and immigration workshops, and played a key role in the creation of Sol de Medianoche and Enlaces, alongside other Latino leaders.
For decades, Esparza worked as a union leader. Today, his legacy endures in the vibrant Latino community he helped build, as his efforts continue to inspire future generations to advocate for their rights and strengthen their cultural roots in Alaska.
Óscar Guarderas
Peruvian entrepreneur Óscar Guarderas arrived in Anchorage in the 1970s and rose to success through sheer determination.
Pepsi gave him his first opportunity in Alaska. He recalls telling a coworker, “Someday, I will show you what success means.” Guarderas kept his promise, founding Big Boy Facility, a janitorial company that employed over 250 people and earning recognition from the U.S. Small Business Administration as Entrepreneur of the Year in 1984. Later, he opened Guarderas Leasing Company, which was in business until 2023.
Guarderas was a champion of labor equity, advocating for the hiring of individuals from underrepresented communities while working for the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in the early 2000s.
His political involvement led him to become acquainted with numerous politicians, including George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Frank Murkowski, Ted Stevens, Bill Walker and Mike Dunleavy.
Ana Gutiérrez Scholl
Ana grew up loving folklore. Her grandmother lived near Garibaldi, Mexico City’s famous mariachi square, and when Ana didn’t want to sleep, “they would take me to listen to mariachis,” she remembers.
Gutiérrez Scholl migrated to Alaska via Washington. Wishing to honor her heritage, in 2002 she created the Xochiquetzal-Tiqun Dance Group, along with Ana del Real. At first, Xochiquetzal-Tiqun focused on children, but later the group expanded to include adults.
After more than 20 years reflecting on culture and dance, Ana says, “Our commonalities with other cultures are bigger than our differences. When you know cultures deeply, you recognize and respect them.”
Moyce Polanco
Born in the Dominican Republic, Moyce Polanco moved to Alaska at 17. He attended the university, married, and is now the proud father of three and grandfather of six.
For the past 23 years, Polanco has worked as the Pastor of Bethel Hispanic Church of God with his wife, Sara. Polanco takes his role as a spiritual advisor seriously, always offering guidance, support, and compassion to his congregation.
However, “I can’t tell them what to do; they must make their own decisions,” he says. Instead, Polanco shares what he would do in their situation. Ultimately, he respects that each person has their own journey to navigate and story to write.
Patricia Whited
Born in Peru, Patricia Whited came to Alaska twenty years ago as part of a student exchange program. During her time at the university, she met the love of her life, and together they started a family.
A special education teacher at Government Hill Elementary School, Whited strongly believes in the power of community integration through cultural activities. Every year, she collaborates with her fellow Peruvians to organize Anchorage’s celebration of Our Lord of the Miracles, an event that draws nearly 500 people!
“We must be active. We must help each other, not only for Our Lord of the Miracles but with everything else. That is what being a community is about,” she said.