Food sovereignty is “the right of Peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.” - La Via Campesina, 1996 Food is at the heart of Alaskan Native Cultures. From hunting and fishing, to trapping and gathering, preparation and… Read More
The ongoing harvest of traditional foods maintains and (re)establishes connections between Alaskan Native peoples, the land, water and plant and animal kin. By participating in these practices, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of individuals and communities are higher due to participation and validation of Indigenous knowledge, the consumption of traditional foods, and ongoing… Read More
In addition to traditional harvest of wild meats, fish, berries and greens, gardening and farming is increasingly becoming an avenue for Alaskan Native communities to increase the food security and sovereignty of the peoples. Community or family grown vegetables and herbs provide low cost, healthy and engaging foods and activity in communities where shipping and… Read More
The health and wellbeing of people is largely dependent on the environment in which they live, access to clean drinking water and sanitization, and the foods in which they consume. As many cultures around the world have reflected, food is the first medicine. In Indigenous communities, traditional foods are a direct link to the lands… Read More
What are rites of passage? Jerry Isaac joins the series to speak about important ones in Alaska Native culture, such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death. He describes what rites of passage have remained the same, which have changed over time, and some of the challenges in maintaining these culturally imbued ceremonies. Jerry shares the… Read More
Summer's here! What better way to celebrate than going out for that first catch of the season? Kenneth Frank joins the series to help us learn how to prepare to do just that. He focuses on netmaking in this episode, a traditional skill for catching all different kinds of fish. Kenneth describes the basics of… Read More
Harvest time! Alaskan berry picking season is about start. Pat Bessette and Sandy Koyukuk join the series to talk about all the steps involved in berry picking in Alaska. They will discuss the types of berries, how to clean and store them, their memories of picking, and how berries keep them connected to their Native… Read More
Highly accomplished caribou fur tufters, Emma Hildebrand (Northway, AK) and Dixie Alexander (Fort Yukon, AK), will share their tips for learning the craft. Join us August 11th at 12:30PM in the Morris Thompson Center, 101 Dunkel St. Fairbanks, AK. To ensure the safety of our guest speakers and audience members, we will ask that you… Read More
Learn how to prepare and use caribou hair for Alaska Native art. Highly accomplished caribou fur tufters Emma Hildebrand (Northway, AK) and Dixie Alexander (Fort Yukon, AK) will share their tips for learning the craft.
Hunting season is about start! Ever wonder what to do with the skin of a moose after harvesting? In the Alaska Native cultural tradition, the moose skin goes through the tanning process, making it usable to create clothing and crafts. Marie Yaska (Huslia, AK) and Eva Burk (Nenana, AK) join the series to talk about… Read More