Skip to main content
Back to Show
Indie Alaska

How kayaks (qayaqs) are rejuvenating Alaskan Sugpiaq culture

Season 11 Episode 7

Jonathon Sawden normally works in HR but sees the importance to tell the world that his people, the Sugpiaq (Sookh-pee-ahk), and other Native peoples are still here. Here, Jonathon and another young apprentice artist are working with a Master Kayak Builder to learn the techniques to build traditional boats and be the next generation to keep the craft and culture alive.

Support Provided By
Season
I Am A Boogie Woogie Piano Man | INDIE ALASKA
3:45
Johnny B. travels throughout Alaska by bush plane to play boogie-woogie piano music
We Are The Ionians | INDIE ALASKA
6:02
Ionia is remote, and sometimes misunderstood intentional community located outside Kasilof
I Am A Water Taxi Captain | INDIE ALASKA
4:58
Year-round, Mako Haggerty takes his boat out across Katchemak Bay as a service to Homer.
Kendo's Cuisine | INDIE ALASKA
4:36
Kendo Shine bought a small trailer and started cooking Kendo-style food in Anchorage.
I Am The Chena Hot Springs Imagineer | INDIE ALASKA
7:03
Bernie Karl is an entrepreneur, an innovator, and an Alaskan original.
I Am A Craftsman | INDIE ALASKA
5:16
Mark Gould is one of the last coopers.
We Are An Iditarod Checkpoint Oasis | INDIE ALASKA
5:07
Winterlake Lodge on Finger Lake is an official Iditarod Trail checkpoint.
I Am A (Rock and Roll) Doctor | INDIE ALASKA
3:53
Russell Biggs is an Anesthesiologist and a bandmate by night.
I Am A 98-Year-Old Bowler | INDIE ALASKA
4:23
Bettie Upright is a bowler. She picked up the game nearly 30 years ago, at the age of 70.
We Are A Goth Band | INDIE ALASKA
5:14
Cliff and Ivy have been performing as a goth band for over 30 years.
The Saturday Market on the Tundra | INDIE ALASKA
3:47
Reyne Athanas runs the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel, Alaska.
I Make Wearable Art | INDIE ALASKA
3:58
Enzina Marrari creates garments that bridge fashion design and sculptural art.
Active loading indicator