An Emotional Event

The Alaska Customary Art Fair during the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention turned out to be so much more than I expected. All the artwork we made for Atsaq Art was sold out.

This largest gathering of Natives from around the State wasn’t just a convention and art event—it became a space of shared emotion and resilience. With so many coastal families evacuated to Anchorage, Bethel, and other communities, the weight of the storm was felt in every conversation and every embrace.

Artwork that helped raise funds to help the storm victims.

My own brother, Jimmie Oscar, and his family were among those impacted. They were lucky to have made it to the high school to escape the storm, they found their home had floated away the next day. That kind of loss is hard to put into words. All the work and effort to prepare for the winter months with subsistence foods they gathered all summer were destroyed. These folks in the villages are already poor, with many with just clothes on their backs.

Feeling the urgency, I decided to help and support the relief efforts. According to the Associated Press, more than 2,000 people were displaced, and many won’t be able to return home for at least 18 months, as Governor Dunleavy noted in his request for a major disaster declaration.

Kevin Whitman of Mekoryuk was the first in line for the donation drive.

There were two other artists who were also raising funds to help in their own way. I did not have time to photograph the other table.  I must apologize if I mix up my name below for one of the artists. Mr. Lind below is a Aleut Visor Hat carver, with his custom-made bass guitar he was helping raise funds for the disaster.

Peter (or is it Patrick) Lind, I apologize for not writing it down, was raffling his custom made bass guitar.

With my assistant Karen Jerry, we offered one of our artwork pieces as a raffle item to raise funds. I’m humbled to share that we raised $1,900—$410 by card and $1,490 in cash. Every single donation carried so much heart. Thank you to everyone who gave with such generosity and spirit. Your kindness will mean a world to the families who have no home to return to.

Kind hearted people from all walks of life eager to give to the flood victim relief fund.

Lucy George, winner, with husband Ray Watson and their daughter Ray'nell Watson.

The $1,900 donation we collected was distributed among these organizations directly working with the displaced families from the villages as follows: $630-Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund through the Alaska Community Foundation; $635 American Red Cross of Alaska; and $635-Salvation Army of Alaska.

More photos of the event:

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who gave to this soulful cause. Your generosity lifted spirits and helped carry families through one of the hardest chapters of their lives. May the blessings of our Creator multiply among all who need healing, shelter, and hope. Your kindness is felt far beyond the numbers—it’s woven into the fabric of our communities. When Alaska comes together, the creativity and care people show for one another knows no bounds. In moments of need, we rise—with heart, with ingenuity, and with each other. Quyana Cak’neq!