Festival of Native Arts 2026
About This Year's Theme
Each year, Festival students gather after the final performance to reflect on the event and collaboratively choose the theme for the following year. The 2026 theme, “Elevating Our Strength in Unity,” speaks to the power of collective identity and shared purpose. It honors the strength found in coming together—across generations, communities, and cultures—to celebrate resilience, creativity, and connection.
Dedication
Every year, the Festival of Native Arts club chooses an individual or group to dedicate
the festival to.
The 2026 Festival of Native Arts is dedicated to those affected by Typhoon Halong.
Each year, the Festival of Native Arts club hosts a contest for the upcoming Festival's logo. This year, UAF student Bella Marks' artwork, shown above, was chosen.
Artist's Statement:
Hello, I am Isabella Marks, from Tanana, Alaska (also known as Nuchalawoy’ya) and I am Dené (Koyukon Athabascan) and Inupiaq. I am a student here at UAF and have gone to previous Festival of Native Arts and gotten a sense of who performed at festival and tried to represent those cultures.
In my drawing in the center are two drummers standing on the hands, one Dené drummer, and one Central Yup’ik drummer, they are bumping their drums together showing unity and showing respect to each other’s cultures and coming together to perform.
The hands holding up everything are wearing Tlingit and Haida regalia.
The hands are wearing ivory rings with metal accents in a road stripe patterns because I am a civil engineering major and I want to go into transportation and it is also a tribute to the engineering iron ring worn on the dominant hands pinky finger so when the engineer signs off on something the the ring will make a sound and will remind the engineer that what they are signing will benefit and ensure safety of the public, in reference to the bridge that fell down due to poor engineering. The hands also have traditional hand tattoos that look like rings.
The hands are also holding an Ununga headdress, loosely based on my roommate’s regalia. There is a bandana which is what Dené holds when dancing in my home's colors. There are also cones that you would see on a jingle dress that is in some cultures in the lower 48 to show some Native culture not from Alaska.
Illustrated Logo by Bella Marks
Student Bella Marks, the 2026 FNA Logo Contest Winner
This schedule is up-to-date as of 2/25. Schedule is subject to change.
Click on performer names to learn more!
Thursday, February 26
|
5 PM |
Doors Open to the Vendor Space in the Great Hall |
|
| 6 - 6:15 PM |
Opening Speech with Interim Provost Charlene Stern & Colors |
|
|
6:15 - 6:30 PM |
The UAF Troth Yeddha' Dance Group was established in 2011 by students. At the time
there was not a Tl’eeyegge Hʉt’aane group on campus so they gathered drummers, dancers,
and singers both on campus and throughout the local community and formed the UAF Troth
Yeddha' Dance Group. Troth Yeddha' is the name for the hill that UAF sits on. They
are not just a campus dance group but a community-wide dance group open to all.
|
|
| 6:30 - 7 PM |
Fairbanks Native Association Head Start 0-5 Program Fairbanks Native Assocation Head Start 0-5 Philosophy FNA HS 0-5 empowers parent as
a child's first teacher. Our learning center provides a safe loving inclusive opportunity
for each child to explore and discover their identity culture and traditional ways.
We collaborate with parents using relationship based practices to help their child
develop the emotional physical and cognitive skills needed to successfully navigate
towards school readiness. Our learning program is one of approximately 146 American
Indian Alaksa Native ( AI/AN) programs in the Unites States and we serve a diverse
enrollment of students and their families. We are situated on the Athabascan land
and the Denaakk'e and Gwiichiin language have introduced to the students including
the use of English in all the classrooms.
|
|
| 7 - 7:30 PM | Camai! Young Native Fiddlers is a group of young fiddlers learning Athabascan style
fiddling. We want to perpetuate Athabascan style fiddling while developing leadership,
self confidence, and cultural pride in our players.
|
|
| 7:30 - 8 PM |
Qasgirmiut Dance group was formed in 2019 in an attempt to attract youth, in an effort
to pass on traditional dances and knowledge to the younger generation. The group although
aimed to attract youth, the group is an open group so any individual can join. The
group eventually gained elders, who started to introduce traditional ways. The group
has composed a “Stick Dance,” for one Camai festival. The stick dance has not been
seen around the Bethel area for quite some time.
The group has recently done what is a “Kevvgiq,” or Messenger Feast. Along with that we have performed a “Nangertaq,” or “Stand,” where a young individual who is presented and don’t a 1st Dance. Traditionally, any individual who wishes to dance is not allowed to perform or touch any item that involves yuraq until they have been presented. This our gathering, dance groups from Bethel, Nunapitchuk and Kasigluk has came and danced. |
|
| 8 - 8:30 PM |
Stevens Village Dance Group is Koyukon Athabascan from Stevens Village on the Yukon
Flats. Denyeet Hut'anna. "People of The Canyon"
|
|
| 8:30 - 9 PM |
Soaring Eagle Intertribal Drum Soaring Eagle Intertribal drumgroup Welcomes all people from all nations, we represent
families that include veterans, children, Elders. We honor those that have gone before
us and taught us healthy, living through song, dance, and sobriety activities.. Soaring
Eagle Drum was born August 2007, we Are proud to be supportive of the annual Midnight
son inner tribal Powwow event each July, on the banks of the Chena River in the community,
taking part in all their community events. We want to extend our hand and welcome
all people to our annual mini powwow collaboration between the festival of native
arts, and the nonprofit Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow this Saturday from noon to
4pm. Once we complete our introduction song, please feel free to join us on stage
for some dancing together, aho'.
|
|
| 9 - 9:30 PM |
The Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Group members live in Fairbanks
and the North Pole area. It is a community group and the ages of the group range from
infants to Elders. They share their Inupiaq and Yup’ik culture, traditions and often
teach Native dance to schools, conferences, and many local events. The Inupiaq name
"Pavva," means 'away from the shore, landwards, toward the mountain' was chosen. The
group chose this name because they live away from northern and northwest Alaska where
their parents and grandparents are from. The group was formed in 1999 and practices
twice a month through the school year at Effie Kokrine Charter School. Anyone is welcome
to their practices to listen and to enjoy Native dance year-round.
|
|
| 9:30 - 10 PM |
The Pingayaq Dance Group is from Chevak, and consists of immediate and extended family
members of John Pingayak from Chevak. He is a dancer and composter of Cup'ik songs
and has shared this art all over the world. The performances include traditional and
contemporary songs/dances.
|
Friday, February 27
|
2 PM |
Film Screening in the UAF Salisbury Theatre
Vidrìi Tr'ahtłoo (Their Warming Heart) by Nanieezh Peter (4:20min)
Protect the Arctic (43min)
|
|
5 PM |
Doors Open to the Vendor Space in the Great Hall
|
| 6 - 6:30 PM |
Dinjii Zhuh Pete ats'a Vitjyaa naii khaa Dinjii Zhuh Pete ats'a Vitjyaa naii khaa. Mr. Peter served honorably in the Active
Duty Army Guard of 26 years and veteran now and taught music with Episcopal churches
for about 5 years and out of state in the summers to AZ, UT, TX and to 100 interior
villages mentoring young minds and teaching music. Preserved the 1847 traditional
fiddle dances since 1980s to present through our when our 1847 fiddle traditional
almost extinct due to Rock and Roll within the original Athabascan Traditional Fiddle
Festival and my goals and the public is about preservation of our Alaska Native stories.
His gift is also he's active with his Gwich'in linguistic and expert in his language
at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
|
| 6:30 - 7 PM | Qasgirmiut Dance group was formed in 2019 in an attempt to attract youth, in an effort
to pass on traditional dances and knowledge to the younger generation. The group although
aimed to attract youth, the group is an open group so any individual can join. The
group eventually gained elders, who started to introduce traditional ways. The group
has composed a “Stick Dance,” for one Camai festival. The stick dance has not been
seen around the Bethel area for quite some time.
The group has recently done what is a “Kevvgiq,” or Messenger Feast. Along with that we have performed a “Nangertaq,” or “Stand,” where a young individual who is presented and don’t a 1st Dance. Traditionally, any individual who wishes to dance is not allowed to perform or touch any item that involves yuraq until they have been presented. This our gathering, dance groups from Bethel, Nunapitchuk and Kasigluk has came and danced. |
| 7 - 7:30 PM | Dedication with Lewis Martin & Speech with Associate Vice Chancellor Jessica Black |
| 7:30 - 8 PM |
Heartbeat of Drums w/ John Pingayak The Pingayaq Dance Group is from Chevak, and consists of immediate and extended family
members of John Pingayak from Chevak. He is a dancer and composter of Cup'ik songs
and has shared this art all over the world. The performances include traditional and
contemporary songs/dances.
|
| 8 - 8:30 PM |
The Pingayaq Dance Group is from Chevak, and consists of immediate and extended family
members of John Pingayak from Chevak. He is a dancer and composter of Cup'ik songs
and has shared this art all over the world. The performances include traditional and
contemporary songs/dances.
|
| 8:30 - 9 PM | Our group started in 1995 as a place for Iñupiaq and Yup'ik students attending the
University of Alaska Fairbanks to continue celebrating traditional forms of cultural
expression through motion dancing. Today, the tradition carries on as students from
all over the state and world come and go, and our repertoire lives and breathes the
songs shared from current and previous students. All are welcome to join in our dance
practices.
|
| 9 - 9:30 PM |
We are Mt. Susitna Sleeping Lady Drum. We are a sober Intertribal powwow drum based
in Anchorage. We are a Family drum that prides itself on Sobriety and learning powwow
songs and dance.
|
| 9:30 - 10 PM |
Stevens Village Dance Group is Koyukon Athabascan from Stevens Village on the Yukon
Flats. Denyeet Hut'anna. "People of The Canyon"
|
Saturday, February 28
|
12 - 4 PM |
Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow Festival Mini Powwow in the Wood Center Ballroom All drums & dancers from every background and culture are welcome to come in and dance! This is a family friendly event.
|
| 5 PM |
Doors Open to the Vendor Space in the Great Hall |
| 6 - 6:30 PM |
Dene Eslaanh means We are the People. Our group is comprised of Dene' from all over
the interior. We sing and dance together to keep our culture alive. Many of the songs
we sing have been sleeping for nearly a century and we have worked very hard at bringing
them back
|
| 6:30 - 7 PM |
The Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Group members live in Fairbanks
and the North Pole area. It is a community group and the ages of the group range from
infants to Elders. They share their Inupiaq and Yup’ik culture, traditions and often
teach Native dance to schools, conferences, and many local events. The Inupiaq name
"Pavva," means 'away from the shore, landwards, toward the mountain' was chosen. The
group chose this name because they live away from northern and northwest Alaska where
their parents and grandparents are from. The group was formed in 1999 and practices
twice a month through the school year at Effie Kokrine Charter School. Anyone is welcome
to their practices to listen and to enjoy Native dance year-round.
|
| 7 - 7:30 PM | Pathfinder Award with Deanna Fitzgerald |
| 7:30 - 8 PM |
We are Mt. Susitna Sleeping Lady Drum. We are a sober Intertribal powwow drum based
in Anchorage. We are a Family drum that prides itself on Sobriety and learning powwow
songs and dance.
|
| 8 - 8:30 PM |
"The UAF Troth Yeddha' Dance Group was established in 2011 by students. At the time
there was not a Tl’eeyegge Hʉt’aane group on campus so they gathered drummers, dancers,
and singers both on campus and throughout the local community and formed the UAF Troth
Yeddha' Dance Group. Troth Yeddha' is the name for the hill that UAF sits on. They
are not just a campus dance group but a community-wide dance group open to all."
|
| 8:30 - 9 PM |
Ingrimiut Yurartet is a dance group composed of youth and young adults dedicated to
preserving the tradition forms of Yuraq.
|
| 9 - 9:30 PM |
Cetiliztli Nauhcampa: Group of the Four Directions Cetiliztli Nauhcampa or “Group of the Four Directions" in the Nahuatl language, is
a traditional Danza Mexica/Azteca group and an intergenerational, inter-tribal/inter-Indigenous
circle from Ventura County, California. The group works in community, dancing weekly
in a historical farm worker housing collective. They also teach Danza at California
State University Channel Islands, working with college students to learn and maintain
the ancestral traditions of this cultural and spiritual dance.
|
| 9:30 - 10 PM |
We are a family dance group from southwestern Alaska, we use family songs that were
given to us or passed on from our elders.
|
Business Name |
Items To Be Displayed |
L’ook Beadworm |
Primarily beaded earrings, some necklaces and some fur earrings. |
Accouterments by A Crow |
Perky Kusquqvaqmiu/Akulmiu Garb and Accouterments offered with care, Chuna McIntyre music |
Tuskworthy Premiums LLC |
Walrus ivory jewelry and art. Bowhead whale baleen jewelry. 3D printed snow goggles. |
Bethany Forsythe and Caroline Bante |
Atikluks, jams, beaded items such as slippers, earrings, bracelets, barrettes |
Betty Inglis |
Beaded slippers, gloves, earrings, bone necklaces, key chain, cc holder, sewing kits, necklaces and bolo ties |
Brilliant Beads by Blanche |
Handmade jewelry and Koyukon printed shirts and hoodies |
Tautuk |
Jewelry, prints, knit and crochet items, skin sewing |
Kangas Crafts |
Beaded Slippers, Beaded Gloves, Earrings, small crochet items |
Catherine Moses |
Beaded jewelry, qaspeqs, parkas, slippers |
Beaded by Larapciq |
Beaded / skin earrings |
Daybreak Designs |
Aprons, furs, moosehide, sewing bags, sewing supplies, beaded slippers, and gloves, necklaces, and earrings |
Arctic Stitches |
Sewing items for sell, kuspyks, upchucked jean bags, TV remote holders, Kuspuk matching vests, and sewing lessons. Essential oils from Jordan Essentials, all natural made oils. |
Standing Bear Creations |
Jewelry/ Wampum |
RurAL CAP AmeriCorps Seniors Program |
Volunteer Opportunities |
Grete Bergman |
Beadwork, earrings, crochet scarves, soap |
The Bead Lady |
Beads and Supplies. Cut Beads, Seed Beads, Needle and thread. Beadwork |
Swan Clan Creations |
Earrings, necklaces, hats, gloves, jam, other beaded and sewen items |
You-Pick Crafts |
Beaded earrings, hair accessories, keychains, pop-sockets, gloves and mittens, bracelets, dream catchers |
BeadsByKate |
traditionally tanned moose skin items such as; Beaded earrings,, hard bottom slippers, beaded card holders, long beaded gloves, scissor cases, key chains, beaded patches for vest or dresses. |
Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Community Planning |
We will be providing information about the Comprehensive Plan update and provide opportunities to participate in the planning process. |
Eskimo Dance Fans |
Beach Grass Basket And Eskimo Dance Fans |
Lois Hardesty Arts |
Suncatchers, earrings, barrettes medicine bags, necklaces, coin purses, using moosehide, deer skin, dentalium shells , bone beads , porcupine quills, caribou hair and semi-precious stones |
Anuqsraaq Arts & Natural Products |
my drawings, salves made from tundra plants, seal skin keychains, fur flowers made by me |
Nancy Butler Indian Arts |
Beadwork, Quillwork, Skinsewing, |
Nic and Cams shop |
Bead work |
Olga's Creations |
Jellies, qaspeqs, piluuguqs, earrings, uluaqs, cauyaqs |
Beadwork by PamCakes |
Earrings and other jewelry |
Rachel David |
Beadwork painted items |
RAHI and RSS |
Beaded RAHI Logos and RSS Information |
Sam’s Beads and Beyond |
Beaded hair barrettes and other crafts |
Selina Alexander |
Beadwork. Tufting. Salves. |
Cloudberry Native |
Yup’ik themed earrings, qaspeqs, handmade Alaskan themed jackets and vests |
MooseQuills |
Beaded items, skin sewing, native regalia |
Totsmaywee |
Native supply and handmade beading and skin work |
UAF Native Games Club |
Snacks/Concessions |
Walton Irrigoo |
Walrus ivory carvings and seal skin products from St. Lawrence Island |
Barry Noyokpuk |
|
Tina Harness |
Earrings and canvas prints |
Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow |
2026 Midnight Sun Intertribal flyers, photos, Volenteer information, Membership appications, MSIP Princess details and applications. |
Carey Nollner |
Prints, cards, and canvas art |
Cloyie Edwards |
|
UAF CXCS/ANKN Bookstore |
Books |
Ashley Luke |
Earrings, necklaces, and badge reels |
Valerie Pingayak |
Earrings |
Yugtun Egmilta Club |
Snacks/Concessions |
GILA - Galena Interior Learning Academy |
We'll have some giveaway items and informational brochures to share as well as a slideshow and standing banner. |
Workshops | Thursday, February 26
10 AM - 11:30 AM
📍 Wood Center Ballroom
10 AM - 12 PM
Dinjii Zhuh Kyaa - Gwich'in Language
📍 Wood Center Conference Room C/D
Yuraq - Inu-Yupiaq
📍 Wood Center Multi-level Lounge
12 PM - 2 PM
Uksuum Cauyai: The Drums of Winter
📍 Wood Center Ballroom
Yugtun Egmilta - Yup'ik Language
📍 Wood Center Conference Room C/D
Native Games
📍 Wood Center Multi-level Lounge
Festival of Native Arts Film Screening
Co-hosted with UAF Theatre & Film
Vidrìi Tr'ahtłoo (Their Warming Heart) | Directed by Nanieezh Peter | Runtime: 4:20min
Vidrìi Tr'ahtłoo is a music video/visual poem composed and performed in Dinjìi Zhuh K'yàa, the Gwich'in language. There are less than 300 fluent speakers left in the world of my language and I am one of the youngest speakers. Speaking my language has been a privilege and I have felt a responsibility to share what I have learned (language, culture, worldview) in order to empower more Indigenous language speakers to continue their language journeys.
This short is my first film and I poured all my love into it. Singing, performing, and telling a story in this experimental visual format. Originally, I created this film for Maya Salganek’s Lights, Camera, Audio class at the University of Alaska Fairbanks - Film Department.
During the process of creating this music video my dear uncle/grandpa, Walter “Wall-e” Peter, passed away. Within my Indigenous community we are sometimes in what feels like a constant state of loss. Even before my late uncles passing, I had written the song as a love letter to those who had already passed on. It is so important to go about the grieving process in a healthy way and I am thankful that I was able to explore grief through this film.
Inspired by a dream I had, my short film cuts between a falltime scene of a boy and myself, and a thawing caribou heart. Written and sung in Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa, the Gwich’in language, it is the first music video of its kind.
“Our Indigenous languages are alive and just like us, they are adapting to this mainstream culture. As a film student I don’t see enough Indigenous language representation in the media. Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa is so poetic and beautiful that I figured it was time to highlight that. I want to encourage language learning, and show our Elders our languages belong. Through my music video I wanted to show the potential our languages can hold in modern spaces. “
Shaaghan Neekwaii: Two Old Women | Directed by Princess Dazaraii Johnson | Runtime: 13:35 min
Two elderly Gwich’in women —Ch’idzigyaak and Sa’—find themselves abandoned by their tribe during a brutally harsh famine.
Devastated and scared of what the future holds, Sa' must convince Ch'idzigyaak that their survival is worth a fight and 'if we are going to die,then we should die trying to live'.
Shaaghan Neekwaii: Two Old Women is the first screen adaptation of Velma Wallis’s 1993 novel, filmed in Fairbanks, Alaska, and told entirely in the Gwich’in language. Directed by Gwich’in filmmaker Princess Daazhraii Johnson and starring Margaret Henry John and Brenda Kay Newman, the film explores themes of survival and resilience. Wallis has supported Johnson since she was first inspired by the book in her youth. “We know this story from our bones,” Wallis says. The film was produced by Deenaadai Productions, in partnership with Girinkhii - a Gwich'in language revitalization and cultural preservation organization.
“I remember reading the book for the first time. I was just so blown away to see our Gwich'in culture and this traditional story written down by Velma Wallis. She did such an amazing job of creating and bringing us into the world of these characters, Sa’ and Ch’idzigyaak. I immediately identified with them, this sense of abandonment and the choices they have to make.”
~ Princess Daazhaii Johnson in conversation with Shondiin Mayo
Protect the Arctic | Directed by Florian Schulz | Runtime: 43 min
Imagine a vast, wild, and magical place in the far north of Alaska where one of earth’s greatest natural spectacles unfolds. Immerse in a land that has evolved intact since the beginning of time, a place sacred to the Gwich’in and Inupiat peoples.
Winner of the 2022 Wild and Scenic Film Festival "Most Inspiring Adventure Film" Award.
The film's Protect the Arctic impact campaign helped drive 6+ million people to write letters to the Fish and Wildlife Service in December 2020 and January 2021.
Tickets are free but required for admittance due to limited space. Please arrive by 1:45 PM to check in. No-show tickets will be given to waitlisted attendees.
2026 Raffle
Grand Prize: 2 Alaska Airlines Vouchers for $3,500 (Must be redeemed by August 1, 2026)
Donated by the UAF Chancellor's Office
2nd Place: Gwich'in Moose-skin Bracelet & Earrings; Note Cards & 2026 Desk Calendar
Donated by Julie Biddle
3rd Place: Beaded Unangax̂ Headdress in the Bering Sea style
Donated by Nic Vincler
4th Place: Beaded Gloves from Northway
Donated by Tanana Chief's Conference
5th Place: 2025 Festival Sweatshirt + Jewelry & Soap Bundle
Donated by Festival Club & 2025 Vendors
Tickets are $5 each and will be sold during Festival. Drawing will be held April 1, 2026 in the Brooks Building. Winner need not be present. Permit no. 154.
Event Map & Parking
Vendor Hall, Performances, Elders' Room & Film Screening
Workshops & MSIP Mini Powwow
William Ransom Wood Campus Center
1731 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Click HERE to see it on Google Maps
Loading/Unloading/Elder Drop-off
Vendors and elders are welcome to use the Drop-Off point indicated on the map above
to gain closer access to the Fine Arts Complex. Access is through the yellow gate
at the end of the parking lot in front of Signers' Hall. You may pull right up to
the front doors of the Great Hall to unload your items before parking. Student volunteers
will be available and can assist. No parking is available beyond the yellow gate.
- Thursday & Friday:
- Parking is FREE AFTER 5:00 pm.
- After 5:00 pm, you may park in any campus parking lot. If you have an accessible parking placard, you may park in any accessible parking space on campus.
- Saturday:
- Parking is FREE all day and you may park in any campus parking lot. If you have an accessible parking placard, you may park in any accessible parking space on campus.
- Shuttle Hours:
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
- Shuttle will run continuously, with pickups approximately every 5 minutes.