native culture | CutterLight

*Volunteers steam up copious batches of sumptuous Dungeness and King Crab* *in the icy night air of November.*

Each year in Cordova, Alaska, the Native Village of Eyak sponsors a two-day celebration in honor of Elders and Sobriety. The culminating feast which typically features crab, deepwater shrimp, moose, chicken adobo, halibut, salmon, pasta, all kinds of desserts and other tasty fare is the culinary highlight of the year. Native groups from throughout southern coastal Alaska fly in to join local groups in events that include traditional dances, honoring elders, arts and craft sales and displays, keynote speakers sharing testimonies about the power of sobriety, and special recognition of military veterans. In the tradition of generosity that is part of Native potlatches, the entire community is invited and when, for example, veterans are honored, all veterans present are recognized with appreciation and gifts.

*Human voices, drums, dances passed down from generation to generation. Note the Navy ribbons this Vietnam veteran is wearing.* *Most events took place in the Cordova High gym – a challenging place to make an interesting photo. I made a few double-exposures, some of which worked fairly well.*

*Participants came from several communities, including Juneau, Kodiak, Yakutat and Tatitlek* *as well as Cordova.*

The rhythms are played on traditionally-crafted drums; the dances have been passed down from generation to generation. These fifth graders demonstrate that Inupiat traditions are alive and well in Point Hope, Alaska.

With the help of village elder Aaka Irma, my fifth graders and I learned an old Point Hope Eskimo dance that hadn’t been performed in some time. Under the guidance of our Inupiat language teacher, Aana Lane, the students also practiced popular traditional Point Hope dances. The students performed these dances for the Christmas presentation last month to an enthusiastic crowd.

The group of students I have this year is very connected to their culture and heritage, particularly when it comes to dancing. It’s amazing to see every student in the class become so completely engaged in a cultural tradition. During their performance in December, the students captivated the entire audience. The performance culminated with the students inviting one and all to join them on the gym floor in the closing Common Dance – a dance familiar to virtually everyone in our village.