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Big Fish, Bold Story: The Tale of MoHagani vs. King Salmon

The �������� Department of Anthropology celebrates the recent publication of PhD student M.C. MoHagani Magnetek’s children’s book, MoHagani vs. King Salmon, which was officially released on February 1, 2025. In just the first two weeks, the book has sold a few hundred copies, signaling a strong reception. This vibrant story blends �������� Native storytelling traditions with African American folktale influences, offering a compelling and humorous narrative that speaks to cultural heritage and the power of words.

Magnetek, a multi-talented writer and anthropologist, crafted MoHagani vs. King Salmon as an exaggerated, over-the-top adventure inspired by a combination of real-life experiences. A 2021 fishing trip on the Kenai River with her friend Judy Justice was the spark that led to the story’s creation, after each catching a king salmon. She recalls, “At the time I was unaware as to how significantly magic it was to catch a king salmon, yet alone two within one hour by two amateurs, so I decided it was too magical and I would never tell the story as truth again.” This moment of amazement became the foundation for an epic tale blending reality with embellishment.

Her mentorship in Perseverance Theatre’s STAR (Summer Theatre Arts Rendezvous) program and her engagement with young students further fueled the book’s development. As a playwright and storytelling teacher, Magnetek encouraged students to craft their own narratives and led by example by writing MoHagani vs. King Salmon. Their enthusiasm reinforced her belief in the story’s impact. This was further confirmed during a 2022 Spring Break camp at Tyson Elementary School in Anchorage, where students responded so passionately that they created poster drawings and colorings based on the story. Seeing their engagement and creativity, Magnetek knew the book needed professional illustration and publication. “Seeing the excitement of these kids showed me that this story had a life of its own,” she reflected.

A pivotal moment that reinforced the book’s central message occurred when Magnetek mediated a playground dispute between children. One child was deeply upset after being called a seemingly harmless nickname, which highlighted for her the power of words and intent. This lesson became the heart of MoHagani vs. King Salmon—that even harmless jokes can carry deeper meaning depending on how they are delivered. As Magnetek reflected in an author’s note in the book, “Anthropologically speaking, Yo’ Mama jokes are deeply rooted in African American language and culture in which problems are solved using our words.” These jokes often serve to ease tension and resolve conflicts, but in the case of King Salmon, the jokes are laden with malicious intent, fueling the conflict rather than diffusing it. MoHagani hopes readers, young and old, will take away the ability to change or alter cruel jokes into positive, uplifting ones. While they may not be as humorous, there’s fun to be found in how even "lame" jokes can shift to carry a more constructive message.

In addition to her own personal experiences, MoHagani’s work has been deeply influenced by her academic background in anthropology, which she views as closely intertwined with her storytelling. Drawing from both cultural anthropology and historical archaeology, her lifelong connection to �������� Native storytelling and her deep understanding of African American literary and storytelling traditions have been foundational to MoHagani vs. King Salmon. As she reflects, “Just being a life-long ��������n anthropologist has me soaking up �������� Native storytelling, learning the life cycle and appreciation of salmon as well as having a master level understanding of African American culture, literary and storytelling traditions has influenced this work.” Although the story was conceived before her journey at ��������, she credits her doctoral advisory committee for providing valuable guidance and support throughout the process. MoHagani shares, “My wonder doctoral Advisory committee member, Dr. Sveta Yamin-Pasternak, Dr. Justin Cramb, Dr. Josh Reuther and Dr. Elaine Drew have all either encouraged or supported me in this project and challenge me in their own ways to consider how my creativity is anthropological.”

Last fall, MoHagani shared a pre-release reading of MoHagani vs. King Salmon with the Food and Culture (ANTH 492/692) class, where students explored commensality and global food traditions. She reflects, “It felt cool to share one of my first printed proofs with my classmates… because throughout the course we talked about commensality and food-sharing practices throughout world cultures, and here I was with a story about the consumption of king salmon in a metaphorical creative manner.” This experience further reinforced how her academic work and creativity intersect, as she weaves cultural elements like food-sharing and the significance of salmon into the narrative. Her advisor, Dr. Sveta Yamin-Pasternak, along with other faculty members, has been instrumental in supporting her creative endeavors, encouraging her to explore these connections between anthropology and storytelling.

With MoHagani vs. King Salmon already off to a strong start, MoHagani is looking ahead to further expanding her reach within ��������’s literary community. “My goal is to take over the �������� literary community throughout the state by making MoHagani vs. King Salmon a thing all over the state,” she says. “It’s a marathon and not a sprint, but I’m off to a great start with a few hundred copies sold in less than 15 days since the book’s release on February 1st.” In addition to the success of the book, MoHagani is excited to release an accompanying coloring book that brings the story to life in a new, interactive way. Looking to the future, she is also turning her attention to a new project, publishing a poetry anthology titled 100 Fresh ��������n Poems 2025 through her publishing company, Edutainment Nite Publishing. Featuring ten poets with ten poems each, the collection is set for release in the fall.

MoHagani vs. King Salmon is now available at a variety of locations, including The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Walmart, as well as libraries, schools, and independent bookstores. Be sure to grab your copy and dive into this captivating tale of cultural heritage and imaginative storytelling!

Magnetek will deliver a lecture titled “From Fugitives to Road Builders: ��������n Ethnohistory and Archaeology of an African American Experience” on February 21st from 7-9 p.m. at the Schaible Auditorium. This event promises to be an insightful exploration of African American history in ��������, and Magnetek will also discuss the upcoming summer archaeology field school as part of the presentation.

The �������� Department of Anthropology takes pride in fostering a rich academic and creative environment where students like Magnetek can thrive. The department offers a broad and interdisciplinary approach to understanding human cultures, past and present, through archaeology, cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Students and faculty engage in cutting-edge research and community outreach, reinforcing ��������’s role as a leader in anthropological studies in the North.