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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.

THANK YOU ALSO TO OUR WONDERFUL 2022 CAMP INSTRUCTORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND INTERNS:

 

Moses Dirks, Traditional Foods

Robert Golley, Traditional Foods

Dailey Schaack, Traditional Foods

Doll Kochuten, Traditional Foods

Ernest Stepetin, Traditional Foods

Frieda McCord, Traditional Foods

Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory, Bentwood Visors

Lydia Vincler, Drums

Teresa Smith, Model Iqyan/Iqyas

Tina Gauen, Basket Weaving

Daniel Shellikoff, Carving

Danielle Larsen, Jewelry, Painting and Children’s Art

Nikkita Shellikoff, Glass Ball Beading

Candace Nielsen, Traditional Foods

Chyonne Buterin, Dance

Jamie Stepetin, Dance and Camp Assistant

Mike Witsoe,  Drum Assistant

Mia Vincler, Camp Apprentice

Nancy Zaochney, Camp Apprentice

David Gregory, Volunteer

Isabella Iparraguirre, Camp Assistant

Richard Griesbaum, Camp Assistant

Lynnette Mack, Volunteer

Mentors

Please click on the names below for information about our current and past mentors.

Ethan Petticrew

Delores Gregory

Marie Lydia Vincler

Teresa Mae Smith

Sueanne Unger

Jolene Petticrew

John Petersen

Wolfgang Brinck

Michael Livingston

Crystal Dushkin

Sharon Kay

Okalena Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory

Sally Swetzof

Moses L. Dirks

Edna Floyd

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

Hasxu (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 Unanga 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

 ADULT APPLICATION ONLINE PRINTABLE PDF ADULT APPLICATION

CHILD APPLICATION ONLINE PRINTABLE PDF CHILD APPLICATION