Our People Speak

Spring is a time for renewal. Consider renewing your commitment to health and well-being during this season and learn how culture can play a role. Jessica Black (Nenana, AK) and LaVerne Demientieff (Nenana, AK) join the series to speak about the connections between health, including physical, mental, and spiritual, and the continuation of cultural practices.

Join Denakkanaaga for an evening of stories about the spring carnival seasons of years past. Learn why March remains such an important month for gathering and meeting, from dogsled races and spring carnivals to stakeholder meetings of major Native organizations. Elders Marie Yaska and Andie Jimmie will share their knowledge and stories. Moderated by Sharon McConnell, Executive Director of Denakkanaaga.

Summer’s bounty is here! Fishing, berry picking, and hunting are in full swing. Kathleen Hildebrand joins the series to talk about how to use this bounty to make Alaska Native fish and berry ice cream. She will discuss harvesting the ingredients, along with sharing memories of this tradition and how it promotes Alaska Native culture. To view “The Bounty of Summer: Making Alaska Native Fish and Berry Ice Cream” visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy4LB-AXcFA.
This program is the Season 3, July episode in Denakkanaaga’s Our People Speak series, which focuses on seasonal Alaska Native cultural topics. This program and series are proudly brought to you by the partnership between Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Please visit the “Events” tab on the Morris Thompson Center website to view upcoming and past programs and to sign up for updates about future cultural programs. For more information about this series and other programs hosted by Denakkanaaga, please visit https://www.denakkanaaga.org/

Summer's here! What better way to celebrate than going out for that first catch of the season? Kenneth Frank joins the series to help us learn how to prepare to do just that. He focuses on netmaking in this episode, a traditional skill for catching all different kinds of fish. Kenneth describes the basics of netmaking and how to properly use them on the water and the necessity of passing this tradition on to youth to preserve and perpetuate Alaska Native culture. To view “Making Knots and Casting Out- Fishnets for the Summer Catch” visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUKkPBrXPiLopLQuUH-KsQg
This program is the Season 2, June episode in Denakkanaaga’s Our People Speak series, which focuses on seasonal Alaska Native cultural topics. This program and series are proudly brought to you by the partnership between Denakkanaaga, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Please visit the “Events” tab on the Morris Thompson Center website to view upcoming and past programs and to sign up for updates about future cultural programs. For more information about this series and other programs hosted by Denakkanaaga, please visit https://www.denakkanaaga.org/

Tom Huntington transports us on a journey across Alaskan landscapes in springtime. He describes how to navigate the land when the snow and ice start to melt, and how to prepare and what do once you're out there. He also explains the importance of Native place names when traveling. Tom shares the importance of passing this knowledge and tradition on to youth to preserve and perpetuate Alaska Native culture.