Native artists were made guests of honor at a Tuesday, Jan. 21 fundraising banquet. The third annual Ilanka Cultural Center Membership Drive Dinner also raffled off works by artists, including a ceremonial boat oar and a doll wearing a hand-sewn seal fur outfit. The ticketed event served as a fundraiser by the Ilanka Cultural Center.
The event began at the Cordova Center, where attendees dined on a variety of traditional Native cuisine including staples such as frybread and baked salmon. Afterward, attendees adjourned to the North Star Theatre, where they viewed a performance by the Cordova Ikumat Dancers. This was followed by a series of documentary short films and presentations on artists Sean O’Brien, Diana Reidel, Sylvia Lange, Gloria Cunningham and Mike Webber.
“The more traditional art we have in our community, the better understanding and connection we have with our heritage,” Webber said, addressing the audience.
Webber also expressed interest in carving a 40-foot totem pole for the town, memorializing the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Attendees also bid in a silent auction for items such as an ornamented Japanese fishing float, a painting by Sylvia Lange, a bottle of devil’s club tincture and other local products. The event was sponsored by local groups including Native Village of Eyak, Chugach Alaska Corporation, the Reluctant Fisherman Inn and Cordova Telecom Cooperative.
