Cultural Heritage Week

Every year we have a cultural heritage week here in Kongiganak. This is a time when students can spend the week working on various cultural projects. Elders come in and work with each group to teach the students. Last year we held it in the spring and this year in the fall so the students get a variety of cultural experiences. Students work on projects in the school or are excused to go hunting/fishing/camping etc. It's an awesome experience and I hope you enjoy all the pictures :)

Working with tools

Blackfish Net Boys

Beading

They even made a sled!

More nets!

I think he was stuck in the net???

Working on her mittens...

One of the girls with her hat-- almost finished!

ESKIMO DANCING!

We had visitors from Tununak come to dance. Winnie, the elder on the left, was in my group and taught me how to make a hat. She was so sweet!

Slippers!

Ice Picks! The men go out and chip ice off of lakes and use that for fresh water in the winter.

Fur Mittens

Older boys made black fish nets. Later in the week they went by boat to set the nets/traps and hours later checked and had caught lots of fish!

Younger boys made wooden boats

Older girls made mittens

Girls sewed purses and sewing kits to take home.

Girls used beads to make bracelets, necklaces and earings.

Older girls made Headdresses for their Eskimo Dancing.


Older boys made knives... even Mr. Wright! He doesn't mess around! (can you imagine this in the Lower 48?!?!?!)