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Ida’ina Potlatch
Alaska Pacific University (APU) and the Municipality of Anchorage are honored to partner together to help Ida’ina K’eljeshna (Friendship Dancers, a Dena’ina group) in hosting a Traditional Friendship Potlach, in Anchorage, on August 6. We invite you to have a part in this movement to revitalize local Dena’ina traditions. This is an exciting partnership that aims to strengthen both our respect and collective ties to the land traditional protected by the people of the land.
A potlatch is a ceremony to commemorate an event or an individual, living or deceased. The event we are commemorating is the unifying of the Dena’ina and Anchorage community to honor the women that have held our community together.
The manner one commemorates or honors those that are the focus of the potlatch or the participants are with the sharing of food and gifts. The food is the focus, as medicine for the people.
These gifts are meant to honor the individual with the value they hold. Whether it is a rifle to help the hunter feed the people, a blanket to keep the recipient warm, or a necklace to add art to the wearer, the gifts are meant to show care and appreciation from the gift giver. The finer the gift, the high respect held by the gift giver and receiver.
The quote “They that are the richest, are they that have the most to give”, taught to me by Peter Merryman of Tyonek (memory eternal), is a reflection of the Dena’ina word for rich person, Keshka (rich person/leader).
This process reveals the leaders of the community by caring for the people. No one leaves the potlatch hungry, there are plenty of prayers and songs, and the rich are given the chance to establish their place as a leader.
Please join my group, Ida’ina K’eljeshna, as we gather everyone together to show the value of gathering together and feeding the people! The potlatch will be at the Delaney Parkstrip from 4-10pm.
For more information, contact Steven Holley at [email protected]
A potlatch is a ceremony to commemorate an event or an individual, living or deceased. The event we are commemorating is the unifying of the Dena’ina and Anchorage community to honor the women that have held our community together.
The manner one commemorates or honors those that are the focus of the potlatch or the participants are with the sharing of food and gifts. The food is the focus, as medicine for the people.
These gifts are meant to honor the individual with the value they hold. Whether it is a rifle to help the hunter feed the people, a blanket to keep the recipient warm, or a necklace to add art to the wearer, the gifts are meant to show care and appreciation from the gift giver. The finer the gift, the high respect held by the gift giver and receiver.
The quote “They that are the richest, are they that have the most to give”, taught to me by Peter Merryman of Tyonek (memory eternal), is a reflection of the Dena’ina word for rich person, Keshka (rich person/leader).
This process reveals the leaders of the community by caring for the people. No one leaves the potlatch hungry, there are plenty of prayers and songs, and the rich are given the chance to establish their place as a leader.
Please join my group, Ida’ina K’eljeshna, as we gather everyone together to show the value of gathering together and feeding the people! The potlatch will be at the Delaney Parkstrip from 4-10pm.
For more information, contact Steven Holley at [email protected]
