by Theresa Quiner
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus would like to invite the community to join us in celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 10th. Please join us in honoring the Yup’ik, Cup’ik, and Athabaskan peoples of Southwest Alaska on whose land we reside, as well as all of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, in a day long celebration at the Cultural Center.
The Kuskokwim Campus has partnered with many tribal and community organizations to plan a day-long celebration at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. The theme for this year’s celebration is Kayungcallerkaanek Qaneryaramta: Language Revitalization.
The celebration will open at noon with a Native Foods Potluck, with some food provided by the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation. Community members are encouraged to bring dishes to share.
At 1:30 elders with the Calricaraq program will present “Yupiit Qanruyutait – Maxims of Yupiit Philosophy ‘’. This will be available on Zoom for people who cannot come in person.
From 3pm-5pm, KYUK will showcase Yugtun materials from the KYUK archive, and AVCP Healthy Families will have Native Crafting activities available. Poster materials will be available for people to make posters for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day March, which will start at 5:30 in front of the Cultural Center.
Community members are invited to wear regalia if they would like as the March proceeds from the Cultural Center to YKHC and back. TWC Teens Acting Against Violence is sponsoring the Indigenous Peoples’ Day March.
Doors will open at 6:30 for an evening of Yuraq performances. ONC Traditional Chief Ignatius “Louie” Andrew will open the festivities with opening remarks, and community Yuraq groups will perform.
The Kuskokwim Campus would like to thank all of the community and tribal organizations who have helped to implement this community event, including the Association of Village Council Presidents Healthy Families program, KYUK, YKHC Calricaraq program, Orutsararmiut Native Council, the Southwest Alaska Arts Group, the Lower Kuskokwim School District, Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition, and TWC Teens Acting Against Violence.
Theresa Quiner is the Library Director for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus.
