Natives of Alaska and Hawaii
Aleut, Athabascan, Eyak,
Iñupiat, Kānaka Maoli
Explore The Different Tribes
Through These Fun Ideas
Aleut
Aleut were master hunters of sea mammals like seals, sea otters, and whales, using sleek, skin-covered kayaks called baidarkas. They are also famous for their finely woven baskets made from sea-grass, which are so tightly woven they can hold water.
Craft – Bentwood Hats (link)
- Materials: Strips of cardstock or poster board (about 4 inches wide and 24 inches long), scissors, glue or tape, markers/crayons, and plastic craft lacing or pipe cleaners for “whiskers.”
Instructions:
- Have residents decorate their cardstock strip with designs inspired by Aleut art (geometric patterns, sea life).
- Fit the strip around the resident’s head and secure it to form a visor shape.
- Attach the plastic lacing or pipe cleaners to the sides to represent sea lion whiskers.
Athabascan
Athabascans are celebrated for their intricate beadwork, often decorating moosehide jackets, gloves, and moccasins with beautiful floral patterns.
They are also known for their use of birch bark for canoes, containers, and even cradles.
Craft - Simple Beadwork Pattern
- Materials: Felt squares, pony beads, glue, and markers.
Instructions:
- Have residents draw a simple floral or geometric design on their felt square.
- Carefully apply dots of glue along the design.
- Place pony beads onto the glue to create a “beaded” look.
- Beaded flowers and birds are a cultural connection for this Athabascan artist.
- This INDIE ALASKA video explores how traditional beaded crafts were created
Eyak
The Eyak were known for being intermediaries in trade between coastal and interior peoples. Salmon was the absolute center of their culture and survival.
Craft - Story of Salmon
Materials: Blue construction paper (river), brown and green paper (riverbanks/trees), paper for drawing salmon, scissors, and glue.
Instructions:- Discuss the importance of salmon to the Eyak.
- Have residents create a collage of the Copper River environment.
- Ask them to draw, color, and cut out several salmon.
- They can glue the salmon onto their river, creating a scene that tells the story of the salmon’s journey.
Iñupiat
They are master whale hunters, a tradition that is central to their culture and provides for entire communities. They are also known for their skin boats (umiaq), ivory carving, and traditional blanket toss celebration.
Craft - Story of Inukshuk
- Materials: Gray construction paper or small, flat-sided rocks (if available and safe), glue.
Instructions:
- Show pictures of different Inukshuks.
- Have residents cut out flat, rock-like shapes from gray paper OR use actual stones.
- Challenge them to stack and glue their “stones” to create a human-like figure, balancing the pieces like a real Inukshuk.
Kānaka Maoli
Kanaka Maoli are known for the art of hula (dance), the sport of surfing (he’e nalu), and their incredible skill as navigators, using the stars, sun, and ocean swells to travel vast distances in double-hulled voyaging canoes.
Craft - Build a Lei
- Fresh flower lei: Stringing fresh flowers, like roses or carnations, with a needle and thread.
- Ribbon lei: Braiding or looping satin or grosgrain ribbons together, often used for graduations.
- Paper lei: Using cut-out paper flowers or other shapes alternated with items like straws or beads.
- Candy lei: A popular gift, especially for graduation, where candy bars are wrapped in plastic and tied onto a string.
- Fabric lei: Creating garlands from fabric scraps, using techniques like sewing circles of fabric and stringing them together.