I have a total of 8 students - 7 girls, 1 boy - all of Yup'ik descent. Most have experience with yuraq from an integral cultural awareness developed in grade school and/or their community dance group. It is quite a feeling to see these youths at a place in life where I was not all too long ago. I remember experiencing the anxious feeling of wanting to be older, and at the same time, facing the difficulties of actually growing up. Some people in high school did sports or other after school activities, I danced, and danced, and danced; it became my sport, my activity, my passion. I feel very fortunate to share with these students what I have learned about the many aspects of modern Alaska Native dance because it certainly had a profound impact on the way in which I grew as a young person. I hope these songs feed their soul. I hope the dances provide them with mindfulness of their actions towards themselves and to others. I hope the drum keeps them connected to their people.
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| Laughing and dancing under the midnight sun at Camp Bingle. Taken by Phillip Aarnaquq Charette. 24 June 2011. |
Here is myself drumming and singing as a few of my students dance "Ah Ha Ha Haa," or the Laughing Song. They wanted to dance the songs over and over. My voice got a little hoarse, and by hoarse I mean sexy; aaghaaghaaghau! ;)
Class begins shortly...I better Get Ready; yaa yai yaangaa-a ♪♫♪♪...
