Celebration 2016 celebrates Native cultures in Juneau

Check back in this story for updates, interviews, pictures, and videos as Juneau celebrates Native cultures for four days!

Visit our dedicated CELEBRATION 2016 page for the daily schedule of events, plus our exclusive collection of videos and photos!

SATURDAY UPDATE:

News of the North's Celebration Parade Photos:

News of the North's Klas Stople was at the Celebration parade Saturday. Here's a video clip:

News of the North's Klas Stope interviews the official Celebration photographer:

SHI hosts Native fashion show

After a successful inaugural fashion show, which was sold out weeks in advance, Sealaska Heritage Institute says they are considering making it a permanent part of Celebration festivities.   

This year 18 designers embraced a major show theme: the idea that traditional and contemporary Native art are part of the same continuum, one that has always been in motion, adapting and evolving over time.

Some designers used traditional materials such as seal skin and cedar, while others used traditional artforms, such as beadwork and weaving,or translated traditional Northwest Coast designs into original, contemporary patterns.

SHI says the pieces reflected the artists’ pride in their indigenous cultural heritage and an optimism about the future possibilities of contemporary Native fashion.

(Photo: A Chilkat shawl by Kwaguilth and Sqaumish designer Pam Baker, modeled by Tlingit artist Alison Bremner, shown at the Native Fashion Show Friday night at the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau. Photo by Brian Wallace, courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute)

See more photos from the Celebration Fashion show on this SHI Facebook page.

Soapberry, seaweed contest winners announced

Sealaska Heritage announced the winners of its two popular traditional Celebration food contests, during Friday night's dance performances at Centennial Hall.

The winner of the black seaweed contest is Dora Barr, and the winner of the soapberry contest is Doris McLean.

The institute sponsors the contests to introduce young people to traditional Native foods and to highlight the health benefits of traditional Native cuisine.

The top prize in each contest is $500.

(Soapberry contest photo by Brian Wallace; courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute)

FRIDAY UPDATE:

Klas Stolpe reports from Centennial Hall as the festivities begin with more Native song and dance.

Interview with Heather McClain with Sealaska Heritage Institue:

Native song clips:

Parade Traffic and Bus Notice for Saturday:

Traffic will be disrupted in the downtown Juneau area due to the Celebration 2016 parade Saturday morning. Capital Transit service will be discontinued into downtown beyond the Federal Building starting at 8:30 a.m. Normal service will resume at 12:00 pm. Please wait for the bus at the Federal Building.

Native Dance and Celebration Parade discussed on Capital Chat this week:

Donald Gregory and Jasmine James dropped in on Capital Chat with host Courtney Nelson this week to preview Celebration 2016, the biennial Native event running through Saturday. They discussed the parade route for Saturday morning.

They say Native dancers from Southeast Alaska and far away have descended on Juneau.

THURSDAY UPDATE:

News of the North's Klas Stolpe has been live on the scene of Celebration 2016, enjoying the festivities

Klas spoke to the father of one child at the Youth/Toddler Regalia Fashion Show.

Native Alaskan dancers have descended on Juneau from the Southeast and far beyond.

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WEDNESDAY UPDATE:

VIEW OUR CANOE ARRIVAL PHOTO ALBUM

Celebration 2016 has started, and Governor Bill Walker was among the people celebrating Native Alaskan culture.

Juneau Radio Center's Klas Stolpe, interviews the governor at the welcoming ceremony:

As over 300 people were expected to welcome the One People Canoe Society Wednesday at Savikko Park and the Douglas Boat Harbor, Jerry James was also live at the scene.

TUESDAY UPDATE:
SeaAlaska Heritage Institute says Celebration is one of the largest gatherings of Southeast Alaska Native peoples and is the second-largest event sponsored by Alaska Natives in the State of Alaska, drawing about 5,000 people and economically impacting Juneau with around 2 million dollars.

Donald Gregory and Jasmine James dropped in on Capital Chat with host Courtney Nelson Tuesday to preview Celebration 2016, the biennial Native event running Wednesday through Saturday.

One new event is on weaving.

"The Chilkat Ravenstail Weavers are in the Clan House, and will be our first event," stated Jasmine. "They're also giving a class, where the public is invited to come and watch those weavers."

Gregory provided a rundown of events.

"The Grand Entrance Procession will begin at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday from behind Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall down to Centennial Hall. On Thursday and Friday, we'll have the dance performances starting in the morning at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, as well as Centennial Hall and Marine Park. The Native Farmer's Market will open at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Sealaska Plaza and the JAHC and run through Saturday. We'll have the toddlers' regalia review at noon on Thursday in the Clan House. Language lessons for Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian are at 1:00 p.m. each day Thursday through Saturday at the SLAM. Lectures will be at 2:00 p.m. each day between Thursday and Saturday. The parade will be Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from Marine Park to Centennial Hall. When we wind it up, it will be the Grand Entrance at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. They'll again line up behind Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall and then proceed to Centennial Hall for the exit."

Celebration tickets go on sale at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday at Centennial Hall, good for all events but the films and fashion show.

A Celebration pass includes admission to dance performances and most events. 4-day passes are available - adults $30 - elders and youth $15. Children 6 and under get in free.

Over 300 people are expected to welcome the One People Canoe Society today at Savikko Park (Sandy Beach) and the Douglas Boat Harbor Wednesday between 11:00 and noon.  Eight canoes representing Yakutat, Hoonah, Stika, Angoon,Veteran Canoe, Kake, Ketchikan and Haines are  paddling  to Juneau for Celebration 2016.  KINY's Klas Stolpe and Jerry James  will be there to bring you the latest.

(Photo: canoes arriving for Celebration 2016)

MONDAY'S ORIGINAL STORY:

The SeaAlaska Heritage Institute hosts their biennial Celebration event for four days this week, Wednesday through Saturday, as Juneau will be filled with Native song, dance, crafts, food, even people of all ages dressed in signature regalia. News of the North will be there to report on air and on-line with daily updates, plus coming soon, KINY will feature a dedicated page with links and everything you need to know to enjoy Celebration this year!

The One People Canoe Society are paddling to Celebration 2016.   According to the paddlers' Facebook posts, the seven canoes representing Yakutat, Hoonah, Stika, Angoon,Veteran Canoe, Kake & Ketchikan are on their way and should be landing at the Douglas boat harbor around 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday. KINY's Klas Stolpe and Jerry James will be there to bring you the latest.

Among the new events this Celebration are a Native Fashion Show, Juried Youth Art Exhibit, a weaving presentation and class, a comedy show and a jazz piano concert. Celebration dance groups will participate in the Grand Entrance Procession on Wednesday from the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall at 6 p.m. to Centennial Hall for the Welcoming Ceremony at 8 p.m. There will be over 80 dance performances in Centennial Hall and Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall beginning Thursday through Saturday. Plus there's a parade Saturday morning.

Tickets go on sale at 9am, Wednesday at Centennial Hall.

A Celebration pass includes admission to dance performances and most events at the Walter Soboleff Building and other venues.

PRICES:

4-day pass
Adults, $30
Elders and youth, $15
1-day pass
Adults, $15
Elders and youth, $10
Children 6 and under, Free