[2] Nelson remained in Wisconsin, where he obtained both his bachelor's and master's degree in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison,[1] although he was originally interested in herpetology.
Nelson left Alaska to take a job as a teacher for a period of time in Honolulu, Hawaii and Newfoundland, Canada, lecturing his students on Arctic life.
In 1974, Nelson left his career as a professor and returned to Ambler and Shungnak, Alaska, taking a job with a United States federal agency, the National Park Service.
After spending time in Amber and Shungnak, Alaska with Kobuk Eskimos, Nelson traveled to the Koyukuk Drainage, dog mushing over the Dalki Pass.
[5][9] In 2003,[10] Nelson began to host the syndicated radio show Encounters, a nature program aired across the nation,[3][5] produced with KCAW-FM.
The biking incident took place in the early 2000s, making it difficult for Nelson to sit for long periods of time writing.
[1][10] The show aired once on a weekly basis for half an hour, featuring Nelson's self-initiated interviews on both animals, such as moose and bears, and the environment in over 100 episodes.
[5] Nelson spent extended periods of time living in Alaska Native communities,[3] such as the interior village of Huslia[6] and specifically, the Alaskan city of Sitka, where he resided for many years.
[5] The book was published in 1983[1] and was the basis for a five-part public television series on PBS, for which Nelson served as writer and associate producer.
[2] The title itself, Make Prayers to the Raven, was used for an ensemble composition by John Luther Adams, an American composer.