by Greg Lincoln
The long-awaited Cama-i Festival is back at its former venue, the Bethel Regional High School after a few years and folks were thrilled with its return. It was hosted by the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group, with the help of many partners and volunteers.
Local dance groups performed for packed crowds including the BRHS Warrior Dancers, Qasgirmiut, the BRHS JROTC Rifle Drill Team, and the Delta Illusion Dance Company. Student groups included Mikelnguuq Elitnaurviat K-2nd, Ayaprun Elitnaurvik K-7th, and the Gladys Jung Crane Dancers.
Regional dancers were groups from Kasigluk, St. Mary’s, Marshall, and the Pingayak Dancers of Chevak.
Groups from statewide Alaska came from as far as Tikigaq Point Hope. Others were the Aerial View Troupe with their elevated silks and hoop performances, Polly Andrews and Kelsey Wallace and their Drummers, the Yurapik Drummers and Dancers, and the Tap Studio Dancers.
And visiting from Canada was Mike Stevens the “Harmonica Man” who performed with Jeff Black on guitar.
The 2023 Cama-i Festival was dedicated to Moses Paukan Sr. of St. Mary’s. And the 2023 Cama-i Living Treasure recognition was bestowed upon John Pingayak of Chevak. Their families along with the honorees were recognized on stage and given commemorative
plaques by Linda Curda.
A special recognition award was also given to Peter Atchak for his many years of volunteering and leading the Heart of the Drums. Major General Torrence Sax, the Adjutant General of the Alaska National Guard was also given special recognition.
Native arts and crafts were for sale in the main lobby, there were many beaded items, carved ivory and bone pieces and rings, beautiful coastal grass basketry, fur trimmed gloves with beads, Cama-i memorabilia, qaspeqs galore, men style feathered dance fans, 3-D art, fur trinkets, malachai’s, crochet and knitted creations, women’s uluaqs, beached fibre handbags, ladies headdresses, native plant-infused salves and soaps, Eskimo dolls, and so much more. Artists inspired artists at the Native crafts fair.
Special events at Cama-i included the Heart of the Drums where all the drummers get together in the gym and beat their drums, the Miss Cama-i pageant, the Fur Fashion Show, the YK Delta Memoriam slideshow to honor and remember those who have passed on, the Up Close and Personal seminars where Cama-i fans could meet and greet dance groups, the Smile Alaska Style YKHC sponsored free dental check ups, and the amazing Native Foods Feast.
There was one participant in the Fur Fashion Show, emceed by Golga Oscar of Kasigluk. 15 year old Arianna Samson of Bethel and Kipnuk modeled a muskrat alngalek parka that was made by her great grandma Betty Samson of Kipnuk and is owned by her grandma Alice. The parka was made in the last 1970s and was still in great shape. It has a wolf ruff, beaver trim, and tassels made from calfskin and wolverine. She also wore a nacarrluk – a beaded dance cap made by Kelly, her aunt. The beaded cap was replicated from an old historical photo from Kipnuk taken in the 1930s. Her piluguqs or skin boots are made in the Kuskokwim ciivaguaq style and were made by Lucy Henry of Eek, she is Arianna’s other great grandma. She did a great job modeling on the Cama-i stage!
Visiting instructors also taught classes at Cama-i. Nick Gonzales hosted a Medicine Bag making class and Nikki Corbett of Sew Yup’ik hosted a qaspeq making class. Her students modeled their finished qaspeqs for the class finale. Both workshops were sponsored by the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group, quyana.
The native foods feast featured an awe-inspiring spread. Cama-i guests ate like kings. They were treated to salmon egamaarrluk, a salmon bake, dried fish, boiled fish, boiled salmon eggs, herring eggs on spruce branches, dried salmon, akutaq, pasta salad, broccoli salad, fresh green beans and cucumbers and broccoli with lettuce, meatloaf, rice, meatballs, a lasagna bake, fried bread, and cookies. Guests said the food was so good. Quyana to everyone who donated food, cooked, served, and cleaned.
The 2023 Cama-i Fest wrapped on Sunday night. Thank you to Linda Curda, Cama-i Co-coordinator, the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group for hosting, and to all the groups who performed on the Cama-i stage. We hope to see you again next time.
