50th Festival of Native Arts: Troth Yeddha’ Forever

By Nóra McIntyre

A chorus of voices and instruments join together. The tempo and volume of their music build as anticipation rises. One voice, loud and clear, breaks apart from the others before returning to the chorus. Dancers onstage move to the beat of the music with power, passion, and grace. A small child joins in on the festivities, laughing and reveling in the sounds and movement. 

All photos by Autumn McPherson

This year’s Festival of Native Arts was held at UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ campus from February 22-24, with performances and vendors in the Fine Arts Complex and various workshops in the Wood Center. 

This year’s festival theme was “Troth Yeddha’ Forever: Our Ways of Life.” This theme honors the Lower Tanana Dene’s ancestral lands and the people who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. This year’s festival also celebrated its 50th anniversary. Some of the festival's founders were present to celebrate the festival’s long history and continued significance. 

The dedication of this year’s festival went out to the late Carol Agnigalak Hollingsworth, a beloved member of the UAF community who impacted the lives of countless students. Festival volunteers also shared additional dedications of notable people who drove their work and passion for putting this year’s festival together. 

So many talented performers of multiple generations were featured throughout the festival. Performances included music, dancing, storytelling, and more from various cultures and traditions across Alaska and beyond, highlighting the value of cultural connection and collectivity. 

Those who attended performances also had the opportunity to visit and support local artisans who sold wonderful hand-crafted art, jewelry, clothing, soap, and much more.

In the afternoons, workshops were held in the Wood Center, including language workshops for Gwich’in, Iñupiaq, Yup’ik, and Denaakk’e languages, as well as various music and dance workshops, beading, and akutaq making. The Alaska Native Student Wellness Alliance also held a wellness room where students could come to relax. When speaking of this club’s mission, the club’s president, Alazae Waghiy, highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to wellness that centers around Native values and heritage.

The Festival of Native Arts is powered and made possible by a team of dedicated student volunteers. Their hard work and dedication, as well as that of the performers, vendors, workshop leaders, faculty, and those who came before, brought about an exceptional event. 

You can look forward to next year’s festival if you missed the festivities this year. You can also support the Festival of Native Arts via this link.

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