Our People Speak

Summer’s bounty is here! Fishing, berry picking, and hunting are in full swing. Kathleen Hildebrand joins the series to talk about how to use this bounty to make Alaska Native fish and berry ice cream. She will discuss harvesting the ingredients, along with sharing memories of this tradition and how it promotes Alaska Native culture. To view “The Bounty of Summer: Making Alaska Native Fish and Berry Ice Cream” visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy4LB-AXcFA.

This program is the Season 3, July episode in Denakkanaaga’s Our People Speak series, which focuses on seasonal Alaska Native cultural topics. This program and series are proudly brought to you by the partnership between Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Please visit the “Events” tab on the Morris Thompson Center 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 https://www.denakkanaaga.org/

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 netmaking and how to properly use them on the water and the necessity of passing this tradition on to youth to preserve and perpetuate Alaska Native culture. To view “Making Knots and Casting Out- Fishnets for the Summer Catch” visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUKkPBrXPiLopLQuUH-KsQg

This program is the Season 2, June episode in Denakkanaaga’s Our People Speak series, which focuses on seasonal Alaska Native cultural topics. This program and series are proudly brought to you by the partnership between Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Please visit the “Events” tab on the Morris Thompson Center 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 https://www.denakkanaaga.org/

Join us as special guests Lena Tickett and Vernell Titus discuss and demonstrate birch bark basketry. They speak about the basic process and materials used in birch bark basketry as well as the significance of them in Alaska Native culture. To view “Peeling Bark, Creating Art- Birch Bark Baskets” visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUKkPBrXPiLopLQuUH-KsQg

This program is the Season 1, June episode in Denakkanaaga’s Our People Speak series, which focuses on seasonal Alaska Native cultural topics. This program and series are proudly brought to you by the partnership between Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Please visit the “Events” tab on the Morris Thompson Center 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 https://www.denakkanaaga.org/

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 necessity of passing these traditions on to youth to preserve and perpetuate Alaska Native culture.

Join us as special guest Kathleen Meckel addresses the topic of Alaska Native medicinal plants. She will share her knowledge about the types, uses, and harvest of medicinal plants in spring, as well as the importance of preserving and perpetuating this cultural wisdom.

A key sign of spring is migratory birds returning to Alaska. Darrell Hildebrand and Debra Lynne join the series to speak about which birds to look out for in spring and their importance in Alaska Native ways of life.

Tom Huntington transports us on a journey across Alaskan landscapes in springtime. He describes how to navigate the land when the snow and ice start to melt, and how to prepare and what do once you're out there. He also explains the importance of Native place names when traveling. Tom shares the importance of passing this knowledge and tradition on to youth to preserve and perpetuate Alaska Native culture.

Join us as special guests Luke Titus and Miranda Wright discuss the importance of traditional regalia in contemporary ceremonies and how to respect the culture and traditions behind its creation and use.

April signals the beginning of spring here in Alaska. For many Alaska Natives that means time to start preparing for summer activities, like making and mending fishnets and beginning to hunt small game such as muskrat. Spring is also a time of renewal. In this talk our guests, Jessica Black and Tristan Madros, will discuss how younger generations are renewing Alaska Native traditions, including seasonal lifeways.

Spring is a time for renewal. Consider renewing your commitment to health and well-being during this season and learn how culture can play a role. Jessica Black (Nenana, AK) and LaVerne Demientieff (Nenana, AK) join the series to speak about the connections between health, including physical, mental, and spiritual, and the continuation of cultural practices.