Annual celebration
held in the Charles Davis Concert Hall at the University of Alaska,
Fairbanks. Native dance groups and artisans from all over Alaska participate, as
well as ones from the lower 49 states, and even some foreign countries such as
Japan and Russia.
The 2002 festival was dedicated to the
late Effie Kokrine, Athabascan elder and educator. The event is free to the public, but for
the next few years, remodeling in the building may cause a change of venue. It
is usually held in late February or early March.
Begun in 1974, by University of Alaska students and faculty who
conceived of a spring festival focused on "the artistic expressions of each
Alaska Native culture", the three day event has grown each year to become one of
the interior's largest celebrations of Alaska Native culture. In addition to
performing, In addition to the performances, native arts and crafts for sale are
traditionally displayed on crafts tables in the foyer of the Great Hall during
the festival. Performers in at least a dozen different groups travel from remote
villages and represent Aleut, Athabaskan, Gwinch'in, Iñupiak, Tlinglit/Haida,
Tsimshian, and Yup'ik dance traditions, as well as Fairbanks-based dance groups.
In fact, the Festival unites major native culture groups of Alaska,
groups of the continental United States, and groups from countries such as
Canada, Japan, and Russia. Together they share a rich heritage of their
respective cultures, while educating others, as well as helping native college
students adapt to life outside the villages, while giving them a chance to honor
their heritage and express their aboriginal identities.
The first year, it only took three months to gather Native artists,
crafts people and dancers from all major Native culture groups to the University
of Alaska, Fairbanks campus to share their artistic traditions. It was, perhaps,
the first time this had ever happened in Alaska. The first festivals were
organized jointly by faculty and students, but more recently, UAF Native
students have taken on the responsibilities of planning and production. Planning
and making arrangements for housing, transportation, budgeting, fundraising,
rehearsels etc., placed such a load on students already loaded with University course work,
that planning now takes place year-round. In addition, they also produce a
souvenir booklet.
People of all cultures are welcomed to the festival, regardless
of whether they are native or not, "as all cultures have something valuable to
learn from each other."
WE KNOW THIS IS OUT OF DATE, BUT IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF
WHAT IS INVOLVED. WE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN INFO FOR 2011 YET.
2004 Schedule
Thursday,
February 26, 2004,
Charles Davis Concert Hall
Time
Dance Group
6:00-6:20pm
AK Native Vets open/Dedication to Marshall & Lois Lind
6:25-6:45pm
FNA Headstart
6:50-7:10pm
FNA JOM Potlatch Dancers
7:15-7:35pm
Kuskokwim Native Dancers
7:40-8:00pm
Inu Yupiaq
8:05-8:25pm
Pavva Inupiaq
8:30-8:50pm
Iggigmiut Dance Group
8:55-9:15pm
Iggigmiut Dance Group
9:20-9:40pm
Naa Luudisk Gwaii Yatx'I
9:45-10:05pm
Naa Luudisk Gwaii Yatx'I
10:10-10:55pm
Walking Hawk
11:00-11:20pm
Walking Hawk
11:25-11:45pm
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Friday night Charles Davis Concert Hall, 6:50 pm - midnight AND
Wood Center, 6:25pm - midnight
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Saturday: Pow Wow at David Salmon Tribal Hall, 2:00pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday night: Wood Center, 6:00pm - midnight
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There will be vendor tables in the Great Hall on Thursday and Friday nights.