The Qasgirmiut Yuraq Group based in Bethel will be performing on Quyana Night at the 2022 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention on October 21st. They will be the 4th group to perform at Quyana Night – a great honor to represent Yup’ik dance and the Yup’ik people. They will also be performing on the 19th at 12:30 pm for the Elders and Youth Conference.
Approximately 15-20 Qasgirmiut dancers will be attending AFN.
The Qasgirmiut dance group formed in 2019 just prior to COVID 19 hitting the region. Qasgirmiut was set to perform at Cama-i for the 1st time before COVID shut down the region’s activities.
“The group started off as an idea by 3 friends who worked together, 4 drummers, and a handful of dancers,” said Qasgirmiut member and organizer Raina Antalan of Bethel. “It has grown tremendously.”
SWAGG, or the SouthWest Alaska Art Group aka Bethel Council on the Arts is accepting donations on behalf of Qasgirmiut. Donations can be made to:
Bethel Council on the Arts
PO Box 264 Bethel, AK 99559
Tax ID #23-7366662
Memo: Qasgirmiut Yuraq Donation
Raina Antalan also can accept credit cards on behalf of the Bethel Council of the Arts, her number is 907-545-8007.
Qasgirmiut would like to thank SWAGG for the generous donation that helped bring a few extra dancers to the Tundra Festival in Chevak. We would also like to thank ONC for providing/donating the multi purpose building – the “old bowling alley” – as a place to practice for the AFN Festival. The group would like to thank Swanson’s for their generous donation in helping with the bake sale that was held at the Yupiit Piciryarat Cultural Center on Indigenous People’s Day.
“Also a huge thank you to Ashley Brankovic for helping us out with amazing jewelry that was auctioned,” said Antalan. “Thank you thank you thank you to anyone else who has made contributions and shown support.”
