Photos and Fun at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention
24 10 2009The Alaska Federation of Natives convention is in town, and Anchorage takes on a whole new character. I love when AFN happens, and enjoying the happy feeling of those who gather. Even though sometimes the topics can be serious, and even sobering, there is an abiding sense of community and closeness. The AFN is like a big friends and family reunion. it’s impossible to look around without seeing people smiling and laughing and hugging friends they have not seen since last year.
And for anyone who enjoys Native arts and crafts, it’s the place to be. The large exhibition hall in the Dena’ina Center is packed with people from across the state showing off their wares. There are ivory and bone carvings, masks, all sorts of seal skin gloves and hats, paintings, tile, baskets, dolls and beaded jewelry galore. It’s a shoppers paradise of authentic Alaskan items and many people from Anchorage come to do early holiday shopping for people who appreciate unique and beautiful things.
Three generations of doll-makers display their wares.
Native youth dance and drum to an appreciative crowd that gathered at the back of the hall. The drums filled the large hall with energy.
Incredible grass baskets, dance fans, and masks.
I splurged on a few tiles. That one with the sea lions was incredible. It looked almost three dimensional, and had a depth and shimmer like you were really looking through water.
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Animal spirits and bright fluid colors made this display catch the eye.
Fur mittens and hats, ivory beaded jewelry and carvings, and a rack of traditional Yupik kuspuks.
Last night there was a fantastic celebration that I wanted to share. A new company called ArXotica, run by triplets Michelle, Amy and Cika Sparck of Bethel was having a party to launch their new line of skin care products. Their goal is to expand this business which they have created with input from elders familiar with the uses and applications of the arctic plants of the region, to employ people of the region and create an industry using the abundance of nature that is available in Western Alaska. Past winners of an Alaska Marketplace award, they used the seed money to research and develop skincare products.
Harnessing the power of this flora, Sparck Triplets Michelle, Amy and Cika have created ArXotica, Inc. to produce a range of designer skin-care products of which key ingredients are those traditionally hand gathered from the wilderness that characterizes much of the 42 million acres of the Yukon/ Kuskokwim Delta. ArXotica’s philosophy is to act as a socially and sustainably conscious Cup’ik Eskimo owned and operated bath and beauty company, to bring compatible industry to our Subsistence way of living.
Our success will be defined by our ability to act as agents of change, to benefit our people through cultural pride and promote the works of our native artisans, create employment, education opportunities and wellness.
And boy do they know how to throw a party!
Chef Rob Kineen of Orso, who loves using local Alaskan ingredients made some amazingly delicious delights! Here, he is preparing crisp sesame crackers topped with Alaskan scallops, crow berries from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and pumpkin from the Mat-Su Valley. It probably sounds like a strange combination, but they were absolutely awesome. I don’t know how he does it, or how many years it would have taken me to come up with a scallop/crowberry/pumpkin hors d’oeuvre, but I didn’t ask too many questions because I was busy enjoying!
They ended up looking like some kind of fabulous sea star. It made the eyes as happy as the tongue!
And look! It’s two of my very favorite people, Vic Fischer and Terry Monegan! Other notable attendees from the political world were Walt Monegan, Jane Angvik, Rep. Jay Ramras, Rep. Leisel McGuire, and a few others you’ll see below.
And what better to wash down the delectable fare than with wines from Bear Creek Winery in Homer. The selection was unbelievable – fireweed honey wine, rhubarb, strawberry, blueberry… How to choose? I ended up with a glass of the black currant wine and thought I would die of delight. If I had not had to drive, I would definitely have sampled some of the others! There were also some unbelievable chocolates infused with crowberry that were amazing. And I have very high standards. They were Alaskan too, of course, from Pete’s Treats in Cordova that uses local berries like nagoonberries, blueberries, rose hips, currants, raspberries and cranberries to make truffles the size of golf balls. All I can say to them is GET A WEBSITE!
Introductory remarks were made by gubernatorial candidate Bob Poe (D) who praised the creators of this amazing product, triplets (L-R) Michelle, Amy and Cika, also known as the Sparck sisters.
Further remarks were given by Senator Lisa Murkowski, also wearing a kuspuk. The Sparck sisters’ kuspuks were sewn by their mother for the occasion. This project has been three years in the making and there was no doubt that this was a very special occasion.
Michelle Sparck stands with her sisters on the Skybridge of the Performing Arts Center and thanks the people who made this project possible. They went around giving people little spritzes of a skin serum that was absolutely amazing. It felt almost like aloe – cool and slippery and absorbed quickly into the skin. It uses natural tundra plants, berries and omega-3s.
The crowd gathered round to watch a short video about the mission of the project, and what the founders hope it will bring to their native region. After the video there was much applause.
The Deputy Undersecretery of Rural Development from the Dept. of Agriculture for the entire U.S., Dallas Tonsanger was present too. And he handed Michelle his card and said he’d be the first to buy the new product when it was ready to go to market, to the cheers of the crowd.
Senator Mark Begich came to support these three very happy women. The night was just perfect, and the turnout was huge. Congratulations to them for having a dream and a vision, and persisting.
October 24th, 2009 at 6:27 AM
What? Todd wasn’t wasn’t there celebrating his Yupik heritage? I’m stunned, I tell you, just stunned.
Thanks for the pictures AKM. Sounds (and looks!) like a great event. Yea to the people who organized it and attended.
October 24th, 2009 at 6:41 AM
Looking at the Native crafts in pictures cannot compare with seeing them in person with their creators. However, it is impressive to me the craftsmanship that is passed down from generation to generation. What a lovely experience.
When I look at photos of elder women sitting amongst their wares, I imagine them toiling away with their hands and fingers at the strong yet delicate vessels, clothing, decoration, and dolls. It’s something I’d like to watch.
Thanks for sharing. I hope that lifestyle never dies out.
October 24th, 2009 at 6:59 AM
Thank you for sharing! What amazing crafttsmanship!
October 24th, 2009 at 7:07 AM
Either Sen. Begich is very tall, or you grow your women very short up there.
Just sayin ; )
October 24th, 2009 at 7:17 AM
Would you keep us posted on the Sparck sister’s products? I need a good winter product and would love to support the sisters!
October 24th, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Me too!
October 24th, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Me three!
October 24th, 2009 at 8:03 AM
I am interested in purchasing almost everything displayed. It’s a good thing I wasn’t there because my thin wallet and overloaded credit card would be thinner and heavier respectfully.
The product launching event looked fabulous! Wow, two senators and a gubernatorial candidate. That’s impressive! I think the sisters are off to a great start.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:20 AM
I wish I could have been there! The Sparck sisters will have my business! The artwork and native crafting is so beautiful, I’m afraid my wallet would be empty by the time I left the festival. Thanks AKM for the great pictures- I wish there was a way for them to sell their wares down here to us!
October 24th, 2009 at 8:25 AM
And where is “I’m all about Alaska, everything Alaska, all the time, especially when it’s good for a photo op or for speechifying” Sarah Palin and her Native Alaskan (when it’s convenient) family? Hmmmm.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:08 AM
AKM/other Alaska locals:
Does anyone know if those tiles can be bought online? Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!!!
Thank you for letting us outsiders in on your beautiful world!
October 24th, 2009 at 9:11 AM
As so many have already said – thank you for sharing with us, it looked to be a really fun event.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:16 AM
What strikes me is how these gals brought everyone together, Begich, Murkowski, Tonsanger & Poe. (I might have missed someone!)
October 24th, 2009 at 9:17 AM
How great to see the beauty and quality that individuals can create using native resources. Much more interesting and intrinsically valuable than commercially mass-produced products.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:22 AM
I’m with the other posters: Where’s Sarah? Didn’t she say in her quitter’s speech that she would be working “even harder” for Alaska? Surely she must be there…oops I forget, she’s busy endorsing conservative candidates in NY and Texas–I’m sure that that has some kind of benefit to Alaskans (at least in her Sarah in Wonderland world).
October 24th, 2009 at 9:23 AM
I need to run over to the Dena’ina Center today. The arts and crafts exhibits are open to the public all day on the first floor.
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A year ago, I read about a woman entrepreneur who was making glacial mud facial masques to sell commercially from Alaska river mud. I wonder how her enterprise turned out?
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ArXotica- sounds especially fabulous. So proud and happy for the sisters.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Love the animal spirit paintings. The skin spritz sounds so tempting that I’m off to put on a bit of lotion that’s the best I’ve got.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Would be interested in the skin products when they become available.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:30 AM
A woman succeeding is great! Three (triplets) is wonderful! And First People on top of it? Awesome. Will we see the skin care line featured on Mudflats?
October 24th, 2009 at 9:33 AM
I, also, too, am interested in the skin products and I really would love some of those blue tiles! Simply gorgeous. Please let us know when a website is up and purchases are available. I’m all for supporting local artists and I guess I’ve adopted Alaska as part of my local scene
October 24th, 2009 at 10:19 AM
be still my heart!! there must be a way for these wonderful products by these amazing artists to be put online for us pups. i want some of that wine and some of those baskets and some of everything.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Go Native women! Show em how it’s done. I’ll buy their products. Be sure to send them to Michelle, Oprah, Hilary and Ellen D., they’ll all support your cause also, too.
Um, I’d also like some of that wine and a lot of those truffles! and the tiles! It makes me miss the arts and craft shows, I had booths professionally for 18 yrs, did well and even employed quite a few folks who needed extra money, until Nafta and imports ruined the trade. sigh
October 24th, 2009 at 10:42 AM
This was absolutely wonderful to read about.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
If I ever visited Alaska I would want to go when the Convention was being held. Because I would shop till I dropped. Those tiles are awesome. I’d hand carry mine back on the plane if I had to. Along with a basket. And wearing the clothes and jewelry I bought.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:53 AM
BTW, in case you missed the link above, the sisters have a web page, products coming in 2009 or 2010. They have a lovely logo too. Is it just me, or am I off base thinking their biz name seems erotica? lol I’m good with it.
http://www.arxotica.com/
October 24th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
cool,
Email info@arxotica.com to get on our newsletter and updates list.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:30 AM
The tiles – artist Ed Mighell.
http://alaskanativearts.org/ArtistPortal/ArtistDetails.aspx?ArtistID=440
http://tinyurl.com/yh2wrre
October 24th, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Would it be possible to obtain the name of the artist pictured in photo #6 of the Mudflats article showcasing the AFN Convention? I cannot enlarge the photo to see the artist’s name, but I think it is booth #2? Amale is sitting behind a table surroundered by wonderfully bright, graphic depictions of native traditions – WOW! We have been looking for Native Alaskan art – these works really spoke to us! Thank you – CIndy Lynch
cindylynch14@gmail.com
October 24th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Any info on the paintings? Name of artist, website? I loved them and know others who would, too. The tiles are gorgeous.
The Vancouver Olympic medals have Northwest Coast Indian art as the design. It’s so important to preserve these art forms.
On a stop at the Warm Springs Museum (n. central Oregon), some women were weaving baskets and so I watched for a while. (The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are made up of the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute tribes.)
There’s someone in my town who teaches weaving of pine needle baskets I keep wanting to take. FYI, our native pine (Ponderso) has very long needles (6″ plus or minus) which makes this possible. Maybe someday I’ll have time to take the class!
October 24th, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Hannah, email AKM directly or the Alsaka Federation of Natives, ask who is booth #2, the painter, tell them that you’d like to get in touch with him. I blew it up but could not make out his name.
Thank you for appreciating Native arts.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Cherfornak, Alaska artist Percy Avugiak.
Bachelors of Fine Art from UAF. Through his work he hopes to attract an audience to new forms of Native art, especially youth whose contemporary culture includes comic books, movies, and video games.
Although the subject matter is new, his work reflects a Native humor found among villages in rural Alaska for decades: “My work reflects my village life and experiences I’ve had throughout parts of Alaska. My paintings are about characters I created. The characters are made to fit in their Alaskan environment in a peaceful and humorous way”.
He has several paintings at Alyeska Resort. A few years ago, he made a series of traditional comedic masks of contemporary figures, including the presidential candidates. Very very good stuff. There was one of Conan O’Brien that listed for sale on Ebay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA6lPHV84Hg&feature=related
October 25th, 2009 at 6:33 AM
The Yupiks of the Kusko Delta should be very, very proud of the three young ladies from Bethel. This is the beauty of a positive self-identity.
October 25th, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Some of the artists can be found through the Alaska Native Arts Foundation,
http://alaskanativearts.org/ArtistPortal/ArtistList.aspx?ModuleID=55
The tiles – Ed Mighell
The clay is Cook Inlet glacier clay that he creates himself. He’s a regular at Anchorage area markets and fairs, Anchorage Saturday Market, Girdwood Forest Faire, and holiday bazaars at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and Sears Mall.
His work is based on Eskimo anthropology and historic designs; as well as classic paintings, like Rousseau’s ‘The Dream’.
Paintings – Percy Avugiak