Throughout the world we are calling for justice. Since western contact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have experienced systemic colonialism resulting in racism, loss of land, violence and the severing of cultural ways of being. In Alaska, movements such as Black Lives Matter, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womxn and Girls, Just Transition and Defend the Sacred are addressing these issues through education, visibility, policy change and understanding. Throughout the month of August, Alaska Pacific University Galleries, NPA Community Fund and Native Movement are amplifying the work of BIPOC individuals through a virtual exhibition. We are expanding our perception of the “exhibit” while in times we cannot gather. In addition to the virtual First Friday exhibit at APU, Native Peoples Action and Native Movement hosted a two-hour First Friday Zoom event featuring discussion with artists, live music, call-to-action and discussion panel from movement leaders. Video above.
Hosted by Native Peoples Action Community Fund, Native Movement and Alaska Pacific University Galleries. Curator Melissa Shaginoff and Guest Curator Rochelle Adams.
Art Submissions
Holly Mitiquq Nordlum
Pandemic Processing 2020
Pen & pencil on paper naniqdesigns.com
Sarah Whalen-Lunn
Solidarity – Defend the Scared means all of us, Indigenous solidarity with Black Lives Matter 2020
Digital drawing
@inkstitcher Instagram
Apay’uq Moore
Defend the Feeding Grounds 2020 Digital drawing
apayuqart.com
Lisa Wade
Udzih Dzaen 2020
Acrylic on canvas
@daisychickaloon Instagram
Princess Daazhraii Johnson
We are more than an Object, a Mascot 2020
@daazhraii Instagram
Amber Webb
The Spirit of Racism 2020
Ink on wood
@imarpikink Instagram
Amber Webb
Praying for Systemic Change 2020
Ink on wood
@imarpikink Instagram
Amber Webb
2020 Ink on wood
@imarpikink Instagram
Su Chon
Bait 2019
Ink on paper
@chon_su Instagram
Su Chon
Mindless 2019
Ink on paper @chon_su Instagram
Su Chon
Beauty is a feeling 2019
Ink and watercolor on paper
@chon_su Instagram
Kari Shaginoff
Salmon Power, No Waste Earrings 2020
Salmon skin, moosehide, beads, dentalium, abalone @natletsi Instagram
“I made these earrings during the first hunker down pandemic period. The red color reminded me of power for the upcoming salmon season and the no waste means we use all parts of the salmon and we have no waste when harvesting salmon. I tanned the salmon and work on moosehide. This beadwork reminds me of keeping inspired with our natural surroundings that have sustained us for many many years.”
Daniel Firmin
Decolonizer 2019
Copper with a baleen and sinew hair pin @dfirmin Instagram
Photos by Annie Bartholomew
Daniel Firmin
2019 Silver bracelet
@dfirmin Instagram
Sharon Ennis
Owášteya (Feeling Good) 2020
Ink on paper @sharonwho
“The Lakhótayapi series is an ongoing exploration of learning my language as a beginner. Although a few relatives speak it, I am not fluent yet. The series of flash cards was initially a way to help me remember words and has become a way to explore the dictionary for pleasure and to learn interesting ideas through the language. It has also given me insight to the ways I already think like a Lakhóta speaker — despite having grown up as an English speaker. Lakhótayapi is transformational and empowering, because it defies the false idea that our culture can be “lost.” Now I believe Lakhótayapi has been with me all this time, and will continue to be with me.”
Joel Isaak
Olga Ezi: Grandma Olga, Native Village of Eklutna, Anchorage, AK 2018
Bronze multi-sculpture installation portraying a Dena’ina fish camp
joelisaak.com
Linda Infante Lyons
A Bear’s Blessing 2019
Oil on panel
@infantelyons_artist Instagram
Linda Infante Lyons
Anipa, the Snowy Owl 2019
Oil on panel
@infantelyons_artist Instagram
Linda Infante Lyons
Wiinarpak’s Prayer 2019
Oil on panel
@infantelyons_artist Instagram
Unignax, Dustin Newman
No more stolen sisters 2020 @unignax112 Instagram
Unignax, Dustin Newman
Not defined by blood quantum 2019
CIB and ink
@unignax112 Instagram
Unignax, Dustin Newman
Skin sewer’s work 2019
1950’s Kotzebue area receipt and ink @unignax112 Instagram
Unignax, Dustin Newman
Looking to the next generation 2019 1950’s Kotzebue area receipt and ink @unignax112
Unignax, Dustin Newman
Feather for prayer 2020
Digital drawing @unignax112 Instagram
Rochelle Adams
Łuk’choo, keep the Yukon river clean 2020 Salmon skin, hide, beads @gwinzii Instagram
Bobby Itta
Atikluk for Nancy 2019
Lace fabric, and red cotton thread
Photos by: Yves Brower
“I made this atikluk in honor of my younger sister Nancy R. Brower, who was murdered 17 years ago.”
Joseph Senungetuk
The Shaman Beckons
Martha Hoover-Senungetuk
Ruth Miller
Lightbringer 2020
Glass beads, tanned moosehide, silver chain
@frompeaksnpinetrees Instagram
Ruth Miller
Endi’ina nał ch’indaqna? (Where are our relatives?) 2019
Assorted Beads, mirror, tanned moosehide, satin, and velvet @frompeaksnpinetrees Instagram
Ruth Miller
Dghelishla / Sleeping Lady 2019
Glass beads and tanned moose hide, parachute cord
@frompeaksnpinetrees Instagram
Ruth Miller
Katie 2013
Pencil on paper
@frompeaksnpinetrees Instagram
Ruth Miller
Nan 2019
Pencil on paper, cotton fabric, coffee, printed photo paper @frompeaksnpinetrees Instagram
Cordelia Kellie
@cordelialaska
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
Udzih Nene’
@taltsiine_songe Instagram
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
Netsucde
@taltsiine_songe Instagram
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
Sgulak Ce’yiits’
@taltsiine_songe Instagram