“You can literally feel your ancestors walking with you” – Indigenous fashion show showcases Alaska Native heritage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Students and families gathered at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Saturday for the Indigenous Education Student Fashion & Vendor Show.

Many families ran vendor tables selling Indigenous clothing, jewelry, and other items as kids from elementary up to high school got a chance to take the stage and showcase their heritage.

“It really means a lot to me,” West Anchorage High School student and president of West’s Indigenous Culture Club Miley Kakaruk said. “My parents work really hard and my mom creates really beautiful works, so for me to be able to represent it at the best of my abilities, it means a lot to me.”

Performances included Indigenous music ensembles as well as a fashion walk for students to show off their regalia.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling,” ASD Gui Kima coordinator Cindy Reeves, who helped many students make their own regalia, said. “You can literally feel your ancestors walking with you as you see students walking the stage.”

“It’s just great to share in our culture and we’re really happy to be here,” vendor Francisca Andrews said. “All of Alaska is here, there’s a little bit of everything.”

“It’s just something that makes us stronger because we’re together,” Kakaruk said. “Seeing not only our cultures being represented, but seeing everybody else representing their culture very confidently, it can do a lot for a kid’s self-esteem.”

Alice Rosecrow Maar’aq, who helped the event grow from its initial state of just a few tables at Romig Middle School into the show it has become, greatly values that connection.

“We’re a people of connection,” Rosecrow Maar’aq said. “We’re doing it for a community, for people to have friendship and family connections.”

“It’s such a breath of fresh air,” Kakaruk said. “You see a lot of familiar faces, lots of smiling. I already know my cheeks are going to hurt from smiling at the end of this.”

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