Close up photo of traditional Alaska Native beadwork.

Denakkanaaga Cultural Series

Denakkanaaga is offering online speaker programs in 2021. The monthly programs feature respected elders and leaders from the Native community and center around seasonal themes, highlighting aspects of traditional Alaska Native culture. The programs will take place as live streams or premier airings on the Morris Thompson Center Website. The first episode of this series, “March in Our Memories: Spring Carnivals and Dog Mushing,” will be presented on March 17th at 6:30 p.m.  Guest speakers Andy Jimmie and Marie Yaska will share some of their memories of springtime activities in the village. Mr. Jimmie grew up in Minto and Ms. Yaska grew up in Huslia. Denakkanaaga’s executive director Sharon McConnell will moderate.

Andy and Marie on set

On March 18th at 6:30 p.m. Georgianna Lincoln and Steve Ginnis will discuss how traditional Native values guide contemporary Native organizations. Ms. Lincoln is a former Alaska State Senator and currently serves on the Doyon Board of Directors, the Doyon finance committee and the Doyon Oil Field Services, Inc. board, among numerous other positions. Mr. Ginnis is the current executive director of the Fairbanks Native Association and former president of the Tanana Chiefs Conference. 

Our moderator for the March 18th event and future programs is Sharon Hildebrand. Ms. Hildebrand holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Alaska Native studies with a concentration in Alaska Native law, government, and politics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Alaska Southeast. She is the village outreach liaison for the external affairs department at Doyon, Limited. She serves on the boards of Fairbanks Native Association and Gana-A’Yoo, Limited and as president of Gana-A’Yoo Foundation. 

Please visit our Website to view upcoming and past programs and to sign up for updates about future cultural programs. For more information about this series and other programs hosted by Denakkanaaga, please visit www.denakkanaaga.org.

These programs are proudly brought to you through the partnership between Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center with generous support from Doyon, Limited.