Tongass Voices

Though this year’s lead dance group has deep roots in Southeast Alaska, it was formed in 2005 in Anchorage by leader Se’iga Liimii Marcella Asicksik. The group performs songs in Sm’algyax, the Ts’msyen language.

Wallace has been taking photos of Juneau people, places and happenings since he was a kid. He’s also working to memorialize the past — his own family’s and Juneau’s. 

For the past three years, Shaakindustoow Ed Littlefield has been a part of a team composing what will be the first full opera in the Lingit language. It’s about the Battle of Sitka in the early 1800s.

The success of the festival relies heavily on the swiftness of the volunteer stage crew. And that’s organized by Alaska Folk Festival board members like longtime stage crew volunteer Hiram Henry. 

Robin DeAlva made a Facebook group that she says addresses a specific issue in Juneau — the challenge of finding and offloading arts and craft supplies after Joann store closed last year.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cassie Lumba says performing her favorite poems has taught her what it means to open up, and how powerful words can be.