Fifty years ago, Debbie and Dennis Miller embarked on an adventure that would change their lives forever—an adventure in Alaska.
What began as a spontaneous decision to move north quickly transformed Debbie’s life. It led her to explore nearly every corner of the state and resulted in the publication of 16 children’s books and eight adult titles that she authored, co-authored, or contributed to.
Living in a new, awe-inspiring environment stirred something deep within her. ‘I had no intention of having a career as an author,’ Miller recalled. ‘But when you suddenly live in this astonishing wilderness, you’re compelled to write.’
One of her most notable works, “Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” has become a seminal piece in Alaska environmental literature, inspiring many to advocate for the protection of this vital wilderness from oil development.
Over her decades in Alaska, Miller has created homes in Arctic Village, Fairbanks, and now, Sitka. She has come to appreciate the uniqueness of each region, from its cultural history to its diverse wildlife.
‘Each region is unique with its cultural history, diversity of wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and wonderful people,’ she said, summing up her experiences.
Miller’s deep-rooted love for nature traces back to her childhood in Belvedere, an island community in Marin County. Surrounded by beautiful woods and an intertidal zone just a short walk from her house, she cultivated an appreciation for the outdoors from an early age.
Her teenage years were filled with hikes in Muir Woods and backpacking trips in the Sierras, where she developed a passion for biology and English—two subjects that would eventually intertwine through her writing.
She earned her education degree at the University of Denver, complete with a teaching certification. After graduating, she returned to the Bay Area and worked at Marin Country Day School, primarily leading outdoor education trips in the Sonoran Desert with seventh graders.
“I loved learning about the desert environment, the geology, and the wildlife with those kids,” Miller reminisced.
She also taught primary grades and took students on adventurous trips in the Sierras, all the while carrying a growing love for teaching and the outdoors.
In 1975, a slideshow in Berkeley introduced the couple to the Brooks Range, igniting a spontaneous idea that would forever alter their trajectory. ‘We thought, why don’t we just quit our jobs and go north?’ Miller recalled.
After constructing a camper on their Ford pickup, they ventured to Alaska and landed on Homer Spit, where Miller celebrated her 24th birthday on that very spit of land.
During a time of significant economic change due to the pipeline boom, the Millers found teaching opportunities across the state, especially in remote areas. Miller accepted a position in the Gwich’in community of Arctic Village, while Dennis became the first high school teacher there the following year.
Her initial arrival was filled with apprehension. “I went up there terrified, unsure of teaching in the Arctic, in a remote village where English was a second language,” Miller admitted.
However, upon her arrival, a friendly class greeted her on the dirt runway, and she grew to love and respect the traditional way of life of the Gwich’in people. The supportive community made a lasting impression on her.
Among her first acquaintances was Sarah James, a teacher’s aide, who has since become a revered elder and close friend. Thanks to her support and that of other community members, Miller settled into this new world easily and began exploring the Arctic Refuge right outside her back door.
With a newfound passion for the wilderness, she started journaling and developing her thoughts about preserving the Arctic’s delicate environment—a theme that would become central to her writing.
Frustrated with the pre-existing teaching curriculum, Miller designed her own. At just 24 years of age, she courageously asked her students what they wanted to learn about.
They expressed a keen interest in Native groups from across the country. Instead of limiting her curriculum to distant cultures, Miller aimed to introduce her students to Indigenous peoples firsthand.
Through a creative initiative, she organized pen-pal exchanges and led cultural trips to Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, immersing her students in different Indigenous lifestyles and knowledge.
In 1980, the Millers relocated to Fairbanks, where they quickly established a deep connection with the community. While Dennis founded Caribou Air Service, Miller took a job as an investigator and writer in the State Ombudsman Office.
Her interest in writing intensified during her time at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she attended journalism classes under Dean Gottehrer.
She began to write magazine articles and present slide shows on the Arctic Refuge, furthering her advocacy for Alaska’s wilderness.
During one presentation at the Sierra Club’s San Francisco headquarters, she met editor Danny Moses, who urged her to write a book about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Miller knew the refuge well from 14 years of exploration, and the idea of roads and pipelines encroaching upon such a sacred wilderness was unthinkable.
Encouraged by friends and fellow writers, she embarked on this ambitious project in 1989, even as she was balancing the demands of motherhood with her toddler daughter, Robin, and a new child on the way.
“I finished the book on March 31, and Casey was born on April 7,” she recalled.
Published the following year, “Midnight Wilderness” received national acclaim and caught the attention of many, including former President Jimmy Carter. Impressed by the book, Carter arranged to meet Miller in the refuge, where they spent a memorable day together.
“He really inspired me,” she reflected. “He said, ‘You should keep writing. It’s important to write about the environment and these lands that we care about and the wildlife.’ Twenty books later, I’m still writing. I really credit him as being an inspirational force.”
Miller soon turned her focus to children’s literature, inspired by her daughter’s love for caribou. She sought mentorship from Nancy White Carlstrom, an established children’s author in Fairbanks, and joined the Fairbanks chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
The group provided invaluable support, and Miller submitted her manuscript for “A Caribou Journey” to the esteemed publisher Little, Brown and Company, gaining acceptance.
Unfamiliar with the standard publishing practices where illustrators are typically chosen by the publishers, she took the initiative to find her own artist.
Jinx Whitaker, a gallery owner in Fairbanks, recommended Jon Van Zyle, a celebrated artist known for his work with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Miller sent her story to Van Zyle, who expressed enthusiasm about the project. He submitted a portfolio to Miller’s editor, who felt the duo would make an excellent team.
Their partnership would go on to create 12 children’s books together, solidifying Miller’s place in children’s literature.
Since the release of “Caribou Journey” in 1994, Miller has thrived as a writer, educator, and advocate for Alaska’s environment. To date, her name appears on 24 books, and she has traveled to 29 states to share her stories in schools and libraries while also co-founding the Alaska Wilderness League.
In 2012, Miller moved to Sitka following her separation from Dennis to be with cultural anthropologist Richard Nelson, a well-known radio host. Together, they explored the wilderness of Alaska and Australia and collaborated on writing and sound recording projects.
Following Nelson’s passing in 2019, Miller remained in Sitka, continuing her writing and advocacy work, surrounded by the scenic beauty of Southeast Alaska.
“I fell in love with this beautiful community, the Tongass National Forest, and the humpback whales out my window,” she said fondly.
Her latest book, “Goodnight Sounds,” extends beyond Alaska’s borders. Illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, it presents sounds that help children across the country drift off to sleep, echoing the comforting foghorn sounds from her childhood in Northern California.
Reflecting on her 50 years in Alaska, Miller’s hope remains clear. ‘My hope would be that many years from now, a curious child or adult will pick up one of my books and gain a deeper understanding of the subject,’ she shared.
‘Perhaps it enriches their life in some way or inspires them to care about a particular place, person, or animal. I hope that people will continue to protect what we all cherish—the extraordinary world of Alaska.’
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