FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2000

Fairbanks, Alaska -Twenty-five Native dance groups and 40 Native artisans are expected to participate in the first Festival of Native Arts of the new millennium, held March 2-4 in the Charles W. Davis Concert Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This year's theme, "Bridging the Traditions of Generations," illustrates traditional ideas behind Native performance art and aspirations for the future of Native peoples around the world.

For more than a quarter of a century the Festival of Native Arts has brought Native communities from across the state together to share and preserve indigenous cultures. Beginning in 1973, the Festival was originally organized by Native students and UAF's Student Orientation Services as a way to maintain traditional forms of cultural expression. The first gathering, held over four days, focused on a specific Alaska Native culture such as Yup'ik and Athabaskan each night. Only non-local dance groups participated.

Today, the Festival has grown in its depth and focus, and now features Native dance groups spanning Pacific Rim countries with hometowns from Arctic Village to Hokkaido, Japan.

Recognized by the Japanese government for dances that are "cultural assets" to their homeland, the Lake Akan Ainu Dance Group's performance will reflect traditional cultural activities and the Ainu relationship with nature. Although the group has never been to Alaska before, they have a great deal in common with other indigenous cultures of the circumpolar north, which will lay the foundation for a successful cultural exchange, according to Festival Coordinator Dena Ivey.

Sponsored by the Festival and the UAF Japanese Studies program, the Ainu group's trip was funded by grants from the University of Alaska President's Special Projects Fund and the Consulate General of Japan in Anchorage.

"Most Native participants of the Festival are able to attend exclusively by virtue of the efforts they have made to acquire funds to support themselves while away from

their hometowns," Ivey said. "The opportunity to present a portion of their respective cultures is the reward for their endless labors, and the privilege to witness these presentations is the reward for each Alaska community."

"The Gathering Place," a theatrical commentary on the Native relationship with caribou that dwell within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, will also be presented during the weekend by Sarah James, Walter Newman Sr., and Kathy Turco. In addition to performances, Festival artisans specializing in traditional and contemporary arts and crafts will offer a variety of items designed in Athabaskan, Inupiaq and Yup'ik styles.

But dancers and craftsmen are only part of the festivities. UAF students, faculty and community volunteers, with support from local, state and federal organizations, have been planning the event for months.

This year's gathering is dedicated to the memory of Ron "Buster" Manook, a teacher at West Valley High School in Fairbanks and active member of the statewide Native community, who passed away April 24, 1999.

Also during the weekend, Allison Thompson will share poetry in honor of her father Morris, mother Thelma and sister Sheryl, who died last month during an airplane accident off the coast of California.

The Festival of Native Arts is free and open to the public. Audience members should arrive early as seating in the concert hall fills quickly. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. each evening with performances continuing until midnight. Contributions for this year's Festival are welcome and needed, according to Ivey, as are volunteers willing to help with the production of the three-day event.

For more information call (907) 474-6889 or write to the Festival of Native Arts, c/o Alaska Native Studies, P.O. Box 756300, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-6300. The Festival homepage can be accessed at http://members.xoom.com/nativearts.

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