2023 AFN Quyana impressions

WHALING SCENE — Herman Ahsoak of the Barrow Dancers used a drum decorated with a whaling scene.
Photo by Megan Gannon

TAKING THE STAGE — Sophie Nothstine dances on stage with her son Gregory (Tungwenuk) Nothstine of the Anchorage Kingikmiut Dancers.
Photo by Megan Gannon

MAKING ART — Leon Misak Kinneeveauk carved a scrimshaw scene of two seals in between making sales at AFN’s craft fair. Kinneeveauk is one of the founders of the Alaska Art Alliance, which provides a sober space for Alaska Native artists to work in Anchorage.
Photo by Megan Gannon

PARKY POWER — Barbara Morse of the Barrow Dancers wore a beautiful muskrat parky made by her mother.
Photo by Megan Gannon

RECONNECTING — Parker “Ellakegtaar” Arntsen-Beaudin danced with UAF’s Iñu-Yupiaq Dance Group on Friday night. Though she was raised in Wisconsin, Arntsen-Beaudin said she enrolled in school in Alaska so she could learn more about her Alaska Native heritage.
Photo by Megan Gannon

ALL SMILES — Liz Kugzruk joins an invitational on Friday’s Quyana Night.
Photo by Megan Gannon

KIDS DON’T FLOAT — The Anchorage Kingikmiut Dancers perform their “Kids Don’t Float” dance, promoting safe boating.
Photo by Megan Gannon

STUDENT DANCERS — The Iñu-Yupiaq Dance Group from UAF entertained the crowd on Friday.
Photo by Megan Gannon

LITTLE SUPERSTAR — The crowd begged for an encore from 5-year-old Edward Long II of the Barrow Dancers.
Photo by Megan Gannon

CONTRIBUTIONS — Donations poured in for a family dealing with childhood cancer during Friday’s Quyana Night.
Photo by Megan Gannon

QUYANA — Originally from Teller, Carl Topkok performs with the Anchorage Kingikmiut Dancers.
Photo by Megan Gannon

BARROW DANCERS — The Barrow Dancers rocked Friday’s Quyana Night at AFN. They dedicated their performance to the late Craig George, a bowhead whale scientist who died in July. George was remembered for aligning Western science with the North Slope’s traditional knowledge about the animals.
Photo by Megan Gannon