Yup'ik Squirrel Skin Pouch Making

The Yup'ik Squirrel Skin Pouch Making Workshop will be led by Yup'ik Master Artist Merna Wharton, who will teach participants how to assemble a pouch out of squirrel skin and leather.

This free workshop will be held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC). “Merna is Yup’ik from Akiachak residing in Anchorage, Alaska. Merna’s parents are Jimmy Lomack of Akiacuaq and Mary Ann Lomack originally from Kuiggluk. I enjoy hand crafting to preserve my culture and art and to inspire Alaska Native artists to continue parka making through sharing my process.

Processing arctic ground squirrels is time consuming and requires logistical planning by all involved. Making arctic ground squirrel parkas requires good teaching in the field, and homes as well as classrooms. I purchased raw arctic ground squirrel pelts from Akiachak and Kwethluk trappers. I processed the pelts by hand with a stretching board after they were washed, dried and then softened. I want to thank the trappers and the families of Elizabeth Paul, Quyana”

Participants must agree to attend all five days of the workshop to enroll. The workshop will take place on Monday-Friday 5-8 PM, September 16-20, 2024 ; and attendance for the entire 5-day workshop is mandatory. We welcome individuals 16-24 years old to join us and have reserved a couple tickets for this age group. If you are 16-24 years old, please select the "Yup'ik Squirrel Skin Pouch Making Workshop - 16-24 year old" ticket type when registering.

For more information, please contact Angie Demma at [email protected].

ANHC is supported in part by the CIRI Foundation's ARTShop Funding.

Host or Publisher Alaska Native Heritage Center