Ellam Yua, the Being of the Universe, governs the sky, the heavens, and even human consciousness. He provides fish and wildlife and watches over all living things. The ancestors honored the animals that offered themselves during each season of hunting and gathering. They preserved the food with care and used parts of the animals to create masks for festivals.

They also carved small animal figures and hung them inside the Qas’giq, the communal sod house, suspending them from the four corners with sinew strings that met at the center. At that center point hung a doll representing Ellam Yua. During ceremonies, the people would pull the strings up and down in rhythm with the drum.

After the celebration, the animals were believed to return to the creator and report how respectfully humans had treated them. They would then ask to return for future festivals. Seeing the people’s respect and love for one another, Ellarpiim Yua granted them permission to continue celebrating life in the seasons of the coming year.