Traditions and Culture
This sled, pulled by dogs, is still used today.
What is a dog sled?
This is a classic Alaskan Native Attire that originates from the Yup’ik word that means “cloth over parka”
What is a kuspuk?
This oily fish is a staple in many Alaska Native diets and is often smoked or dried.
What is salmon?
These tall wooden carvings tell stories and often represent animals or spirits.
What are totem poles?
This act extinguished aboriginal land title in Alaska and resulted in 12 land-based Alaska Native regional corporations.
What is the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)?
This traditional event is hosted for significant events and food is made and shared with the community. Theres also dancing, singing, and gift giving.
What is a potlatch?
This attire allowed one to walk on the snow instead of sinking in.
What are snowshoes?
This sea mammal was hunted and used for various purposes, such as food and oil.
What is a seal?
This traditional art form involves weaving grass or bark into containers.
What is basket weaving?
This CIRI value has the definition of “strive for greatness”.
What is excellence?
This instrument was often used in celebrations, dances, and songs.
What are drums?
These warm boots, often made from seal or caribou skin, are essential in Arctic climates.
What are mukluks?
This traditional dish is made from whipped animal fat, meat, ground fish or seal oil, and berries.
What is Akutaq (Eskimo ice cream)?
Alaska Natives often decorate clothing with this type of intricate stitching.
What is beadwork?
This person worked as the president of Virgin Galactic before joining the Executive Leadership Team at CIRI.
Who is Swami Iyer?
This hand-held item draws attention to the graceful movement of the dancers’ arms during ceremonial dances.
This traditional waterproof garment is made from marine mammal intestines.
What is a gut parka?
This traditional subsistence food of the Inuit people is a chunk or cube consisting of one layer of dark whale skin and another layer of thick white blubber.
What is muktuk?
This traditional art form uses ivory, bone, or wood to create figures or tools.
What is carving?
These programs are interconnected with CIRI’s mission and vision and weave together memorable experiences that add value to the lives of CIRI Shareholders and Descendants.
What are CIRI Shareholder and Descendant Programs?
This tradition originally consisted of tossing an Inupiaq hunter into the air to see the horizon to hunt whales but is now seen in celebrations and gatherings.
What is the blanket toss?
This headwear was worn by hunters to shield them from the sun and provide spiritual connection while at sea.
What is a bentwood hat?
These berries are very close in shape and size to raspberries but can be found ranging in color from orange, red, or yellow?
What are salmonberries
This skill involves sewing animal skins to make clothing.
What is skin sewing?
The geographic boundary of the CIRI region closely approximates the traditional homeland of these people.
Who are the Dena'ina Athabascan people?