Festival of Native Arts comes to 性欲社 March 2-4
February 24, 2017
In June 2016, Adrienne Titus and Caitlin Tozier brought their Inupiaq culture across
the world to France鈥檚 American Normandy Festival. Now, as student coordinators for
the Festival of Native Arts, they are helping indigenous people from across Alaska
and Canada share their music, dancing and art.The Festival of Native Arts is slated for March 2-4 at 性欲社 Davis Concert Hall. Doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, March 2 and 3 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淐arry Your Drum, Carry Your Culture.鈥�
鈥淥ur songs and dance are an integral part of our traditional way of life,鈥� said Titus, originally from Unalakleet. 鈥淭hey serve as the heartbeat to our cultures, in our life lessons, in celebration, the time of mourning. Our drums bring us together since time immemorial.鈥�
The Festival of Native Arts will feature 28 indigenous performing groups and workshops. Members of the public are invited to attend free workshops from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 2-3 at the 性欲社 Wood Center. Workshop topics include wellness, song writing with language, photography through an Alaska lens, film making, Alaska Native languages, making akutaq (traditional ice cream) and beading.
In 1973, 性欲社 faculty, staff and students organized the first festival, which they modeled on traditional spring village gatherings. The event has become a way for audience members from across the globe to experience and learn about Alaska鈥檚 diverse indigenous traditions, art and dancing.
鈥淲hen Festival first started, it was driven by Alaska Native students' desire to share 鈥� share their lives, their culture, and their home with each other, the rest of campus and the Fairbanks community,鈥� said Cathy Brooks, professor of Alaska Native studies and rural development, who serves as a faculty co-advisor for the festival.
Artisans from across the state come to sell their handmade goods during the festival. The arts and crafts fair includes 30 tables filled with everything from kuspuks and beaded slippers to jewelry and traditional carvings.
This year鈥檚 event is dedicated to the late Athabascan artist Riba May DeWilde. She had sold her one-of-a-kind jewelry, dolls and lamps at the festival since its early years, becoming one of its most beloved vendors.
鈥淎s one of the few female Alaska Native carvers, Riba created her own tradition,鈥� said Kathleen Meckel, the other faculty co-advisor and a professor of Alaska Native studies and rural development. 鈥淪he was known for creating unique jewelry from the bones of the animals she hunted. The Festival of Native Arts honors Riba鈥檚 memory as an artist and an extraordinary woman who courageously carved out her own path.鈥�
Now in its 44th year, the festival has evolved into an event that attracts performers statewide and an audience from around the world, including Japan, Australia and Canada.
鈥淔or many people, the Festival of Native Arts is their first exposure to Alaska Native traditional knowledge and culture,鈥� said Tozier, who is from Nome. 鈥淔or rural and Alaska Native students like myself, the festival gives us a sense of belonging, ownership and pride of sharing home with others. For indigenous cultures to survive, we must share our traditions with others.鈥�
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit and or call 907-474-6528.
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