Urban Unangax̂ Culture Camp
Urban Unangax̂ Culture Camp is typically held the 3rd week of June at the Unangam Ulaa (the Home of the Aleuts), APIA’s central headquarters in Anchorage. The camp provides an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the Aleut culture through hands-on cultural activities and fellowship with the Aleut community. Traditional Aleut practices are integrated to fit into our urban lifestyle, culturally enriching the lives of those who participate.
The free one-of-a-kind camp is open to community members residing in the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Region, the Greater Anchorage area, and the Continental US, and internationally. However, participants are primarily of Unangax̂ or Aleut descent. If too many applications are received, we must give priority to tribal members who are enrolled in one of the thirteen tribes served by APIA.
The camp has become popular. In 2019, the 12th Urban Unangax̂ Culture Camp had 239 participants, the most since camp began in 2008. We received over 250 applications, more than ever before as well. Sadly, due to building capacity and class size limit, we had to deny over a dozen applicants.
THANK YOU ALSO TO OUR WONDERFUL 2019 CAMP INSTRUCTORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND INTERNS:
Agnes Thompson, Basket Weaving
Moses Dirks, Halibut Hooks
Claude Kuzakin, Traditional Foods
Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory, Bentwood Visors
Lydia Vincler, Drums
Teresa Smith, Model Iqyan/Iqyas
Josephine Borenin-Shangin, Traditional Foods
Timothy Shangin, Traditional Foods
Daniel Shellikoff, Carving
Danielle Larsen, Jewelry and Children’s Art
Nikkita Shellikoff, Glass Ball Beading
Chyonne Buterin, Headdress/ Regalia and Dance
Jamie Stepetin, Dance and Camp Assistant
Anesia Kudrin, Drum Apprentice
Sage Stepetin, Dance Apprentice & Camp Assistant
Laureta Kochuten, Camp Apprentice
David Gregory, Volunteer
Michelle Rutherford, Volunteer
Unangam Tunuu Interns: Crystal Dushkin, Darling Anderson, Bobbi Dushkin, Nikkita Shellikoff, Nathaniel Williams, Arnold Golodoff, Jr., Madeline Snigaroff, Kira Zacharof, Alex Griesbaum, Timothy Zaochney, Chyonne Buterin, Sophia DuPras and Christopher Griesbaum.
Mentors
Please click on the names below for information about our current and past mentors.
Okalena Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory
Classes that have been available over the years include (all are not offered every year):
Bentwood Visor construction
Traditional Foods
Drums
Dance
Unangam tunuu (the Aleut language)
Headdress sewing
Regalia sewing
Gut and fur sewing
Jewelry making
Basket weaving
Full-size iqyax (kayak) construction
Wood and Antler Carving
Model iqyax construction (3 ft)
Halibut hooks
Glass ball beading
Painting
Native Youth Olympics practice
Hasxux̂ (spear thrower) practice
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION:
- Youth, ages 11-17, attend daily from 9 am to 5pm. Youth choose 3-5 activities and spend 2 -3 hours daily on each activity so that they can complete at least one art object during the week-long camp.
- Children, ages 0 to 10, attend daily from 9 am to 12 pm. Children rotate hourly between traditional foods, language, dance, and culturally relevant crafts/storytelling. Elders also spend time with children daily to share traditional stories, history, and family genealogy.
- Adults attend daily from 6pm to 9 pm. Adults, 18 an older, may choose from a variety of art and cultural activities. Some adults attend during the daytime as well to participate in activities such as dance, language and traditional foods.
- Elder guests may attend anytime throughout the day.
For questions about APIA’s Urban Unangax̂ Culture Camp, please contact us at culturecamp@apiai.org
If you choose to submit a paper application please email, fax or deliver completed paper application to:
APIA-Urban Unangax̂ Culture Camp
1131 E. International Airport Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99518-1408
culturecamp@apiai.org
(907) 276-2700 phone / (907) 279-4351 fax.
YOUTH APPLICATION ONLINE PRINTABLE PDF YOUTH APPLICATION