Unangax Dancers
Pictured here are Unangax Dancers in their beautifully crafted traditional clothing. This photograph presents a moment of cultural expression, showcasing the vibrant traditions and attire of a performance steeped in heritage. The Unangax Dancers, adorned in intricate traditional attire, convey a sense of celebration and connection to their roots. The dynamic poses and emotive expressions reveal the depth of their cultural narrative, reflecting on the significance of tradition in contemporary life.

Fancy Dancer
This vibrant performance showcases the intricate details of the Native American Fancy Dance, a visually striking and dynamic style of dance where colorful attire and expressive movement come together. Each element reveals the joy and spirit of the occasion, inviting viewers to appreciate the rich tapestry of cultural traditions. From the Multicultural Music and Dance production, "Spirit-The 7th Fire of Alaska."

Youth Unangax Dancers
The vibrant energy of cultural celebration is exemplified through this captivating image. A group of young Unangax Dancers, adorned in their traditional attire, showcase the rich heritage and communal spirit of their cultural roots. Each dancer, with instruments in hand, embodies the rhythm and passion of their performance, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty of tradition and the joy of shared experiences.

Tlingit Haida Dancers
Tlingit and Haida dancers are more than performers — they are storytellers, cultural guardians, and voices of resilience. Each step, chant, and gesture holds deep meaning, passed down through clans and families for centuries. The songs often tell stories, sacred narratives that tie the people to the land, the sea, and each other. For the Tlingit and Haida people, dancing is not just performance . It's how they honor their ancestors, express their identity, and keep their language, values, and traditions alive.

Hoop Dancer
Native hoop dancing is more than just a performance - it's a powerful expression of storytelling, culture, and tradition. Originating among Indigenous peoples of North America, particularly from the Southwest, hoop dancing has become a symbol of unity, healing, and resilience. From the Multicultural Music and Dance production, "Spirit-The 7th Fire of Alaska."

Echoes of Unangax Heritage
I have long admired and studied the late 1800 - early 1900 Photographer, Edward Sherriff Curtis. Recognizing that North American Native cultures were being vigorously repressed, he spent much of his life photographing and interviewing more than 80 tribes. Although considered controversial by some, he was passionate, even obsessed, with recording not only the images of native peoples, but also their language, customs and culture. He was an outstanding photographer. Color photographs were not yet possible, however, using a complex and time consuming photogravure and platinum printing process, his images are nothing short of spectacular, even stunning for his time period. This is a representation of how the photograph of the Unangax Dancers likely would have appeared in a photograph by Mr. Curtis.

Tlingit and Haida Dance Paddles
The artwork on the paddles used by Tlingit and Haida dancers holds deep cultural, spiritual, and symbolic significance. These paddles are not merely dance props - they are extensions of identity, lineage, and ancestral connection. Creating and using these decorated paddles is a way of keeping traditions alive. The process of designing, carving, and painting them is often a communal and intergenerational effort, involving elders, artists, and youth. Each paddle is a piece of living culture, bridging past and present. The artwork on Tlingit and Haida dance paddles is a complex fusion of identity, history, spirituality, and artistry. It transforms a simple object into a powerful cultural statement.

Douglas Yates: Tsimshian-Haida artist and native flute carver
Douglas II’jwaas Yates - Tsimshian–Haida artist and native flute carver. Shortly after moving to Alaska I had the good fortune to meet Tsimshian-Haida Native Artist, Douglas Yates, while visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Mr. Yates is a skilled native flute maker and musician, as well as an artist producing limited-edition lithographs and works influenced by Northwest Coast Formline art. I was down to his exhibition by his penetrating, heartfelt flute music and striking artwork. We struck up a conversation and Doug explained how the song he was playing on his flute was the story of a young Eagle. He went on to explain he carved his own flutes following Indigenous flute crafting traditions—creating instruments that integrate cultural symbolism, craftsmanship, and musical functionality, taking into account wood selection, bore shaping, and tone hole placement. Inspired by Formline Tradition, his artwork is rooted in honor of his people, and celebration of the rich cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska.

Unangax Girl
Native communities have diverse and deeply rooted traditions for bringing children into their cultures. These practices vary, but they share core values of community, respect for elders, connection to the land, and the passing down of ancestral knowledge. One of the key ways that many Indigenous peoples bring their children into their culture and traditions is by dance. This image presents a young Unangax dancer in traditional attire, embodying the spirit of cultural heritage and celebration. I was deeply touched by her joyful expression and dynamic performance, inviting viewers to appreciate the richness of her background. The intricate details of her cultural wardrobe reflect a deep connection to tradition, while the vibrant colors evoke a lively atmosphere. This piece serves as a beautiful reminder of the importance of cultural expression and the stories that shape our identities.

Gene Tagaban
Gene Tagaban, also known by his Tlingit name Guuy Yaau, is a multifaceted cultural leader—storyteller, dancer, musician, motivational speaker, trainer, counselor, and healer. Rooted deeply in the traditions of his heritage, he brings stories not just to the stage, but to the spirit.

7th Fire Native Dancer
Significant colors in Alaska Native cultures vary across the many diverse Indigenous groups in Alaska, including the Iñupiat, Yup’ik, Aleut (Unangan), Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Athabaskan (Dene), and others. While each nation has its own symbolism and traditions, several key themes emerge in how colors are traditionally used and understood. Black, Red, and White (Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian) These three colors are especially prominent among Southeast Alaska Native groups, particularly in formline art, ceremonial regalia, and totemic carvings. Black: Often outlines the primary form in traditional art and represents power, strength, and the foundational lines of design. Red: Symbolizes vitality, blood, and life. It's used to fill secondary elements in carvings and artwork, often representing energy or spirit. White: Used as a contrasting color, sometimes representing light, purity, or clarity. It helps balance the visual weight of black and red. These color schemes are not only aesthetic but tied to clan identity, crests, and spiritual meaning. Earth Tones and Natural Colors (Iñupiat, Yup’ik, Athabaskan) In Arctic and Subarctic cultures, traditional dress and objects reflect the natural landscape through the use of: Brown and Tan: Sourced from caribou, moose, or seal skins, these colors represent survival, connection to the land, and ancestral knowledge. White: Common in fur clothing and symbolic of snow, ice, and the northern environment—often linked to protection, clarity, and ancestral spirits. Greens and Blues: Less common historically, but now sometimes incorporated into beadwork or modern regalia to reflect the tundra, rivers, or sky. These natural tones emphasize harmony with the environment, a key value in many Alaska Native lifeways. Beadwork Colors (Across Cultures) Beadwork became widespread after European contact, and Alaska Native artists adapted this medium with incredible creativity. Colors in beadwork often hold specific meaning: Blue: Represents water, sky, and spiritual realms. Green: Symbolizes plants, healing, and renewal. Yellow/Gold: May represent the sun, warmth, or abundance. Red: Often used to convey life, strength, and connection to ancestors. Bead colors can also signify personal or clan identities, and some patterns are passed down through generations. Symbolism Through Animal Colors Colors tied to specific animals are also significant: The polar bear’s white symbolizes courage and respect in Iñupiat culture. The raven (often black) is a central figure in many Southeast stories—seen as a creator, trickster, or bringer of light. These associations are not just symbolic but deeply embedded in oral traditions and subsistence-based knowledge systems. While meanings vary among Alaska Native cultures, significant colors often include: Black, red, and white (especially in Southeast formline art) Earth tones like browns and tans (from animal hides) White (symbolizing snow, spirit, or clarity) Beadwork colors (blue, green, red, yellow) with symbolic and personal meanings Color in Alaska Native culture is never just decorative—it’s a language that tells stories, honors the land, and preserves the wisdom of generations.

Yurapik Dancer Handheld Fan
Yurapik Meaning and Symbolism of the handheld Fans: The handheld fans used by Yurapik dancers hold significant cultural meaning in the context of Yup'ik dance traditions of Alaska. 1. Extension of Expression: * The fans, often made with carved wood handles and decorated with feathers (usually from birds like swans or geese), act as extensions of the dancer’s hands. * They amplify gestures, making movements more graceful, fluid, and visible, especially in large gatherings. 2. Cultural and Spiritual Symbolism: * In Yup’ik cosmology, birds are considered spiritual beings or messengers, often associated with the skyand the spirit world. * The use of feathers in the fans may symbolize communication with spirits, honoring ancestors, or connecting with nature. 3. Gender and Movement Roles: * In traditional Yup’ik dances: * Women typically use circular fans with feathers (called tegumiak), emphasizing soft, flowing, circular arm movements. * Men often use slightly different styles or no fans, depending on the dance, and their movements may be more forceful or direct. * This reflects the balance of masculine and feminine energy in the performance and storytelling. 4. Storytelling Tool: * Yup’ik dances are narrative-based, often recounting legends, hunting stories, dreams, or everyday life. * The fans help illustrate the story, mimicking the motion of wings, waves, snow, or animals. Summary: The handheld fans in Yurapik (Yup’ik) dance are not just props — they are deeply symbolic tools that: * Extend the body’s expressive power * Reflect spiritual and cultural meanings * Help tell stories through movement * Connect dancers with the natural and spiritual world