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(Anchorage,
AK) - Shoppers will be able to purchase authentic Alaska Native
arts and crafts at the Alaska Native Heritage Center's (ANHC)
fifth annual Holiday Bazaar on December 6th from 10am to 5pm.
Over 50 Alaska Native artists from across the state will be
on hand to offer unique arts and crafts for purchase. Admission
is free. This is one of the continuing series of Celebrating
Culture Saturdays sponsored by BP, which presents a unique
cultural program each week.
"The
ANHC Holiday Bazaar offers a variety of high quality Native
arts and crafts in a festive setting where one can meet and
interact with the artist," states Jon Ross, President
and CEO.
All
artists who participate in the Bazaars are 'Silver Hand' artists,
as identified by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. The
'Silver Hand' program guarantees that all work is handcrafted,
authentic and made in whole by an Alaska Native in Alaska.
Adding
to the Holiday spirit will be dancing and singing. Robin Kiyutelluk
a 10 year old Inupiaq Eskimo, will be singing holiday church
songs. She travels to villages and other cities to sing for
various church functions and is a favorite for the Anchorage
Native Musical during the Anchorage Fur Rondy.
There
will be Native dance performances by King Island Dancers,
Alaska Native Dance Group and the Kicaput Dancers. The late
Paul Tiulana founded the King Island Dancers and Singers in
the 1970's to preserve the traditional values and rich heritage
of the King Island people. The Bureau of Indian Affairs relocated
the King Island people to Nome in the 1960's and Tiulana was
dedicated to keeping their rich traditions alive. Most of
the dance equipment and dance masks the group uses today were
hand made by Paul and his son, Eugene. The King Island Dancers
and Singers have performed all over Alaska and the world.
The ANHC Dance Troupe began in the fall of 2001 as part of
the Alaska Native Heritage Center's After-School Program for
Alaska Native high school students. The group has studied
with master dance instructors from throughout the state, expanding
its performance repertoire to include Tsimshian, Yup'ik, Inupiaq
and Aleut singing and dancing. The dancers, dressed in traditional
regalia, perform dances that tell stories of traditional Native
legends and lifestyles. The Kicaput Dancers are an Anchorage
based group formed in 1993. The name Kicaput means "our
anchor" in the Yup'ik language. The group performs traditional
songs of the Yup'ik and Cup'ik people.
Other
performers will include Artie Joseph Fiddlers, the Anchorage
Moravian Church Choir, Sam Herman and Family, the Anchorage
Covenant Church Choir, Warren Matumeak with his church group,
Anchorage Friends Church and Henry Shavings and Crew.
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The
Alaska Native Heritage Center is an independent, nonprofit
that is committed to sharing, perpetuating and preserving
the unique Alaska Native cultures, language, traditions and
values through celebration and education. It is located at
8800 Heritage Center Drive in northeast Anchorage, just off
Muldoon Road North near Bartlett High School. For more information
about other events and programs, visit www.alaskanative.net
Kay
E. Ashton
Public Relations
Alaska Native Heritage Center
www.alaskanative.net
Fax: 907 330-8030
Phone: 800 315-6608
907 330-8055
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