Festival of Native Arts celebrates appreciation, respect, tradition

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
02/23/06

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host the 33rd annual Festival of Native Arts March 2-4 in the Charles Davis Concert Hall. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. each day and will continue until midnight.

This year’s theme is "Native ART: Appreciation, Respect, and Tradition." Nearly two dozen Native dance groups and 65 Native artisans are expected to participate this year, providing attendees with a diverse array of Native culture. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to dance events, as seating is limited. All events are free and open to the public.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the late Hilda Koweluk Ashcraft, known throughout the state for her beautiful crafting skills. Hilda was originally from Cape Prince of Wales and lived in the North Pole area for many years. The Ashcraft family will be attending the festival and will have Hilda’s work for sale at her usual table.

The Festival of Native Arts Powwow will take place March 4 from 2-5 p.m. in the UAF Wood Center Ballroom. The appreciation potlatch for participants will be March 4 from noon-2 p.m. in the ballroom.

Native students and Student Orientation Services (SOS) at UAF established the Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts in 1973 as a way to preserve Native cultural expression. Originally, the festival focused each night on a specific Alaska Native culture. Today, the festival has grown in its depth and focus, now featuring Native dance groups from locations throughout the state, such as Sitka, Hooper Bay, Allakaket and Atka. Native artisans specialize in arts and crafts from multiple indigenous cultures.

The Festival of Native Arts is the result of months of selfless effort and dedication by student and community volunteers, in cooperation with local, federal and state organizations.

CONTACT: Call (907) 474-6889 or 474-7181, or write to: to Festival of Native Arts, c/o Alaska Native Studies, P.O. Box 756300, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775-6300 or e-mail to fscae2@uaf.edu . UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu .

ON THE WEB: www.geocities.com/festivalofnativearts/