“Arts & Wonder” showcases Native artists, performers

The Alaska Native Heritage Center and Target celebrated summer with an intertribal gathering and Target’s national “Arts & Wonder” day on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for all Alaska residents and members was free, courtesy of Target.

Featured performers included Native Trails, Pamyua, Tau Dance Theater of Hawaii and Alaska Native and Native American drummers and dancers. The gathering also featured many local Native artists demonstrating and showcasing their art.

Special performances by Native Trails, under the artistic director Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw) represented a variety of First Nations from across North America. The Tau Dance Theater, a modern dance theater company from Honolulu, fused both traditional Native Hawaiian dance with contemporary western dance genres. Peter Rockford Espiritu, founding director, was one of seven dancers presenting this unique traditional/contemporary performance art. Alaska’s own Native American Music Award winner Pamyua also performed.

For more information about the Alaska Native Heritage Center and its programs and activities, please go online to www.alaskanative.net.