xinotthi tasoł | inspire
In 2019, dozens of amazing artists donated their work and time to benefit First Alaskans Institute at the 8th Annual Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala. Below are a few of the artist highlights.
Gala of Artists
Bridget Kline
(Yup’ik), St. Marys, Alaska
(Yup’ik), St. Marys, Alaska
Ria Cinguyaralria Kline
(Yup’ik), Bethel, Alaska; may she rest in peace
(Yup’ik), Bethel, Alaska; may she rest in peace
Bridget Kline (Yup’ik) of St. Mary’s and her daughter, the late Ria Cinguyaralria Kline (Yup’ik) of Bethel have donated a plethora of their time, skills, items, and culture to the Smokehouse Gala over the years. Each year Bridget donates a beautiful qaspeq or two, and in 2015 she set up her sewing machine and created a beautiful qaspeq for the silent auction right on the spot. The First Alaskans Institute qaspeqs that each staff member wears at events were also made by Bridget. Ria always donated her beautiful art pieces to the gala, and in 2019 was one of our live ‘Indigenous Artists in action’ for the live auction.
▲ Miligiaq Padilla
(Inuit), Sisimiut, Greenland
(Inuit), Sisimiut, Greenland
Miligiaq Padilla (Inuit) from Greenland is a multi-time champion of the Greenland National qayaq championship and a long-time donor to the Smokehouse Gala live auction. Over the years he has donated six qayaqs frames. Qayaqs built by Padilla are housed at the Greenland Sisimiut Museum, the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and the Kativik Cultural Center in Nome — and by a handful of lucky Gala attendees. In 2018 Miligiaq worked with Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC) students to build the donated qayaq. A portion of the proceeds from this item was donated to directly to NACTEC, a vocational training program designed to provide Bering Strait School District and Nome Public School’s high school students with resources to obtain employment, pursue postsecondary education and live independently.
▲ Joe and TJ Young
(Haida), Hydaburg, Alaska
(Haida), Hydaburg, Alaska
In 2014, Haida Carvers TJ and Joe Young donated their time and skill to create this beautiful totem pole, which was won by GCI in that year’s live auction. The totem was named Hlk’aan-Gaay Gya’aang, roughly translated “Tangled Totem” to represent Interconnections of GCI and Alaska. The Young brothers have continued their support of First Alaskans Institute with donations of amazing pieces like drums, copper jewelry, and smaller carvings auctioned at the Smokehouse Gala. They’ve also done carving demonstrations at the First Alaskans Institute Iniqsakar event.
▲ Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower
(Iñupiaq), Utqiagvik, Alaska
(Iñupiaq), Utqiagvik, Alaska
Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower (Iñupiaq) from Utqiagvik is a strong proponent of Iñupiat values and their relevance in our modern age. She has not only donated beautiful art, jewelry, and Inupiat coloring books to the Smokehouse Gala each year, but was the live ‘Indigenous Artist in Action’ at the 2017 Gala, a model for the ‘Our Precious People’ Indigenous Wears’ Show (seen above), has been a Cultural Showcase artist at Iniqsakar, and has performed with her dance group at several Elders and Youth Conferences.
▲ Joe and TJ Young
(Haida), Hydaburg, Alaska
(Haida), Hydaburg, Alaska
In 2014, Haida Carvers TJ and Joe Young donated their time and skill to create this beautiful totem pole, which was won by GCI in that year’s live auction. The totem was named Hlk’aan-Gaay Gya’aang, roughly translated “Tangled Totem” to represent Interconnections of GCI and Alaska. The Young brothers have continued their support of First Alaskans Institute with donations of amazing pieces like drums, copper jewelry, and smaller carvings auctioned at the Smokehouse Gala. They’ve also done carving demonstrations at the First Alaskans Institute Iniqsakar event.
Miligiaq Padilla(Inuit), Sisimiut, Greenland
Miligiaq Padilla (Inuit) from Greenland is a multi-time champion of the Greenland National qayaq championship and a long-time donor to the Smokehouse Gala live auction. Over the years he has donated six qayaqs frames. Qayaqs built by Padilla are housed at the Greenland Sisimiut Museum, the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and the Kativik Cultural Center in Nome — and by a handful of lucky Gala attendees. In 2018 Miligiaq worked with Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC) students to build the donated qayaq. A portion of the proceeds from this item was donated to directly to NACTEC, a vocational training program designed to provide Bering Strait School District and Nome Public School’s high school students with resources to obtain employment, pursue postsecondary education and live independently.
Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower(Iñupiaq), Utqiagvik, Alaska
Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower (Iñupiaq) from Utqiagvik is a strong proponent of Iñupiat values and their relevance in our modern age. She has not only donated beautiful art, jewelry, and Inupiat coloring books to the Smokehouse Gala each year, but was the live ‘Indigenous Artist in Action’ at the 2017 Gala, a model for the ‘Our Precious People’ Indigenous Wears’ Show (seen above), has been a Cultural Showcase artist at Iniqsakar, and has performed with her dance group at several Elders and Youth Conferences.