In the Yup’ik culture, ornate fans are an extension of a dancer, a unique tool used to communicate a story to the audience. The art of traditional dancing is communal and promotes history, leadership, and collaboration in an artistic display both within and among neighboring communities.

For generations, traditional dancing has been a hallmark of our region. Allowing people to come together and share the ageless stories of days gone by. From large festivals to a handful of peers, dancing has always been an opportunity for building lifelong bonds of friendship and teamwork.