The Athabascan Snowshoe Makers Residency

In May 2011, the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, Alaska State Council on the Arts, and Anchorage Museum hosted a workshop to highlight a key implement of Arctic survival -- the sinew-webbed snowshoe. Koyukon Athabascan master artists George Albert and Butch Yaska built snowshoes in several traditional styles while teaching the intricate construction process to apprentices from their communities. Gwich'in Athabascan culture-bearer Trimble Gilbert discussed the art in his Native language, documenting the rich vocabulary and traditional knowledge that surround this focal item of Athabascan culture. Museum visitors observed the work in progress, and nearly 200 students and teachers from the Anchorage School District took part in educational tours to meet the artists and learn about Athabascan culture. Sponsors for this program included the National Endowment for the Arts and the Smithsonian Institution's Recovering Voices program.
For more information, go to www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/ala.... To visit the exhibition website, go to alaska.si.edu.

[@Hozho2010]

Ennaa baassee for doing this Smithsonian National Museum!!!!!!!!!

[@vicshrily]

Totally COOL!!..more so, that young people are interested...& than even way more cool, that they want to learn from the elders!✊🏾❄️

[@ProgressiveMediaAK]

It was great to work with you guys and an incredible honor to meet the master artists! Keep up the good work at SASC!!!

[@najman2741]

very cool

[@paulinastandifer239]

I would love to learn how to do this.

[@sessionbread]

Does anyone know if this program is still running? Or something similar?

[@mumstirr]

wow

[@chriskelly9653]

Can anyone tell me what ts’eeyh ochre is , the powder that is used to stain/ give that rusty color to the snowshoes.

[@matthewmann8969]

Are The majority of people in Alaska Eskimos, Aleuts, Amerindians, Europeans, Or Metis?