For a full week (March 2-6), Natives from across the state gathered together to praise the Lord each night. Groups and individuals performed; often they came without accompanists, and the resident accompanists joined in as they figured out what song was being sung (which made for some interesting modulations as each adjusted)! Bluegrass/gospel is the default style.
VIDEOS:
Enjoy a sampling of songs in both English and Native languages in our Vimeo album: https://vimeo.com/album/3314348. To see a video of a Native-written Seminole hymn, to go facebook.com/alaskafj and scroll down to the March 4 posting of Huron Claus – beautiful!
The picture spacing below is awful, and I cannot get the blog site to cooperate. Patiently page down (the pics do keep coming!) or check out the album on Facebook (you do not need to have a fb account to see them).
Audience view
Denali Native New Life
At Musicale – our first opportunity to try Eskimo ice cream! Ingredients: Crisco, sugar, bananas, blackberries (what Natives call blackberries are not like what we harvest in the Pacific northwest; they are also called crowberries). No fish or seal oil added to this batch. James is game for the first try.
Christa’s still not sure
Rachel goes for the traditional way: dipping fry bread into the ice cream. Very much like a commercially-prepared frosting with berries.
Blue-mouthed smiles all round proved who tried it.
Christa found a lady who had the same taste in kuspuk fabric as she.
Mary Anaruk-Thomas family
Lyrics…in Yup’ik?
Meesa is 6 days older than Timothy
Millers in Alaska 
Wow, great pictures! Almost like being there! Blessings!
Dear Millers, It looks like you had a big celebration with the singing and special arrangements. We liked looking at the pictures and the Alaskans performing. Reminds me of the Song Fest we have at the Eastern Montana Bible Camp. What a good way to enjoy the gospel songs in what ever language they choose. Thank you so much. Prayer partners, Bert & Melvina