By Borealis Betty
Enaa neenyo and welcome, my friends! My name is Borealis Betty and I’m glad that you are excited about my home as much as I am! Today let’s learn about the top culltural experiences available to visitors in Fairbanks!
YOUR first stop – Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center!
There is much to learn here at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center—and our first three cultural experiences are all right in one building! You’ll love the museum like displays and wealth of information they have on hand about life in the interior. It’s also home to a famous arch made completely of antlers! The perfect photo op!
Walk through their lifelike diorama that explains what it’s like to live in Alaska and see first hand what surviving the winter is all about.
ALAska native gift shop, and artists residence
Your first stop on your mission to learn about the Native Peoples of Interior Alaska is the Alaskan Native Gift Shop—the hub of Cultural Programs in the Morris Thompson Center. This store features the work of many local Interior Alaskan Native artists, with an inventory that is always changing! There are always fun and interesting folks to talk to and learn from—no doubt you will make a new friend as your browsing for gifts!
Oftentimes, throughout the Center, the Alaska Native Gift Shop will host artists in residence. They will be stationed at one or two kiosks selling their beautiful art—most often wearable or functional art that we would use in the village, like jewelry or ornate cutlery. Not only can you purchase gifts for your family and friends back home, but you get to meet and visit with the artist themselves and learn about their process—making each gift special with their own unique story!
Make it & take it, and other workshops!
While you are waiting for the northern lights, come learn how to make authentic Native Alaskan jewelry! When you make an appointment with my friends at the Center, you can stop in and make either Dentalium Shell or Porcupine Quill earrings, a beaded bracelet, or a bear claw necklace (however in accordance with our subsistence lifestyle, they use artificial bear claws for the necklace).
There are also several workshops and classes that are scheduled throughout the year at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Be sure to check their website for their schedule at www.morristhompsoncenter.org/cultural-programs. This is a fun opportunity to learn from our Native friends, ask them questions, and laugh and have fun! Not to mention—at the end of the class, you get to take home what you made!
CULTURAL CONNECTION SHOWS
If you are visiting during the summer months of June, July, or August, be sure to stop in to see a Cultural Connection Show. These shows feature a group of about 10-15 Alaskan Native teenagers who are excited to teach you about their culture through presentations, dancing, and an interactive Q&A session after each show. The show is as endearing as it is educational!
There are many other Cultural Experiences to be had throughout Fairbanks. Let’s check out a couple of the stores and local attractions!
Arctic Traveler’s Gift Shop
The University of Alaska Museum of the North is one of the most comprehensive museum collections in the state of Alaska. Not only is there great natural history and art collections, but there is much to see and learn about the Native People of Alaska! A person can spend from two hours, to a full day here taking it all in! Once you have learned and explored through it all, be sure to check out their amazing gift shop as well offering a beautiful collection of Native Arts as well as a variety of neat gizmos.
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA MUSEUM OF THE NORTH
The University of Alaska Museum of the North is one of the most comprehensive museum collections in the state of Alaska. Not only is there great natural history and art collections, but there is much to see and learn about the Native People of Alaska! A person can spend from two hours, to a full day here taking it all in! Once you have learned and explored through it all, be sure to check out their amazing gift shop as well offering a beautiful collection of Native Arts as well as a variety of neat gizmos.
Fairbanks is home to great Native Festivals and Events—will you be in town for these opportunities?
FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS
BEGINNING OF MARCH
This annual event is held on the University of Alaska Campus and features many different performances to include films, presentations, and dances (many of which you are welcome to join in). You are also encouraged to purchase special Alaskan Native gifts and souvenirs from local artists very similarly to the artists in residence program at the Morris Thompson Center, but on a much larger scale! For updates, take a look at their website at www.fna.community.uaf.edu.
WORLD ESKIMO OLYMPICS
3rd week of July
Held every summer in Fairbanks is the exciting World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, or locally known as WEIO (pronounced wee-yo). This festival is a culmination of many sports you might not have heard of—such as the Alaskan High Kick, the Knuckle Hop, or the Ear Pull. These games have a rich history and depth of meaning within our Alaskan Native culture—and they are fun to watch! Woven throughout the games are many other cultural traditions such as the Miss WEIO, showcasing the true elements of Native beauty, as well as many opportunities to see traditional songs and dances. Be sure to check out the WEIO shop located downtown open all year long for exciting history and gift shop!
ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES, AND ELDERS & YOUTH CONFERENCE
MID OCTOBER, SPORADIC YEARS
Last—but definitely not least—is an extraordinary event that happens yearly, but is held in Fairbanks approximately every 2-3 years called the Alaska Federation of Natives Conference, or known locally as AFN. This event is huge on the Native Alaskan calendar, and is an opportunity for all of us to get together and collaborate as many different communities across Alaska to celebrate successes as a People and make goals for the future. It is an exciting event! While some of the meetings are private, there are many chances for the public and visitors to enjoy the festivities! Visitors are very much encouraged to enjoy the evening activities which feature dance performances from all over Alaska—as well as an Artists’ Pavilion featuring dozens of artists selling beautiful gifts.
There are always more and more opportunities to learn about the Native People of the Interior, and I hope that you have the chance to do so on your visit to Fairbanks! Your friend Borealis Betty won’t steer you wrong! Ana basee! Thank you!
As always– I am happy to help you make your Alaskan Adventure as comfortable as possible as I share the many different hospitable options for you. I am glad to be your concierge to all of the hidden gems in Fairbanks– the comforts that us locals enjoy! Your friend Borealis Betty won’t steer you wrong! Ana basee! Thank you!
-Borealis Betty
Check out more comfort & hospitality articles written by me HERE
