Students sewed brightly colored qaspeqs in Dillingham last month. The class came as part of the community's Beaver Round-Up celebration. Longtime educator Dora Andrew-Irkhe led about ten students in making their own qaseqs over the course of a day.
Andrew-Irkhe has spent decades creating the traditional Yup’ik garment and taught the students the history of the qaspeq as well as Yup’ik measuring methods, using halving as well as measurements with the hands. She said she has gained much of her knowledge from working with elders.
Listen to this audio postcard from the event by clicking the play button above.
Beaver Round-Up's organization committee said in a statement to KDLG that the Bristol Bay Foundation approved the grant that funded this year’s Alaska Native craft classes.
Get in touch with the author at christina@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200.