With this summer’s celebration of Southeast Alaska Native arts and culture on hold, Sealaska Heritage Institute is planning live watch parties of previous Celebration performances and new videos of associated events from June 10-13, according to the Juneau-based nonprofit.
In-person Celebration is postponed to June 2-5, 2021, according to SHI.
During the live stream, people will be able to watch the programming together on SHI’s YouTube channel and interact with each other, said SHI President Rosita Worl in a release. SHI also plans to have live moderators during the broadcast.
“During this time of uncertainty and fear, we need to come together somehow and celebrate our cultural survival. We as a people have been sorely tested in the past and survived many hardships. We will endure, but our people need something positive to anticipate right now,” Worl said.
SHI plans to live stream performances from Celebration 2018 and cut in new footage between dance groups and is asking applicants of its Toddler Regalia Review, Indigenous Fashion Show and Juried Art Show and Competition to send photos and videos of their children, designs and art, which will be produced into videos and shown during the broadcast. SHI will accept new applicants for the through May 15. SHI will also showcase Juried Art Show pieces through an online exhibit.
The institute is also asking Celebration participants to send selfies of themselves to CeleSelfies@sealaska.com. These will be shared and later combined in a photo collage instead of the panoramic photo usually taken during the event. SHI is also seeking short phone videos from participants greeting viewers.
