Cama-i Dance Festival

Remembering Mary Ann Sundown

Admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:19:48 +0000

With great sadness and a surge of happy memories, we learned last night of the passing of our dear friend and mentor, Mary Ann Sundown. Mary Ann has been a fixture at the Cama-i Festival for so many years. As a living legend she wowed the crowds even as she grew slower with age. Moving to the stage would put a spark in her step and crowds were in awe as, at age 92, she would dance and speak to those attending. She will be remembered fondly as a Master Artist, Dancer, and composer, but more importantly Mary Ann, will remembered by her family and those she held close as a sweet, kind lady, generous with time and affection. Rest well Mary Ann, until we meet again. Piu’ra

Mary Ann Sundown - 2011 Cama-i

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2011- MaryAnn Sundown Collage

Admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:07:25 +0000

MaryAnn Sundown has been a Cama-i favorite for years. At 92, she still wows the crowd. Here’s a little of the sweet lady from Scammon Bay with Upallret and Scammon Bay as well as a cameo appearance with Hooper Bay. Enjoy!

Marlene Moto Karl, Moriah Sallaffie liked this post

Thanks Pat DeSmet

Admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:02:11 +0000

There are a couple of common denominators with each passing Cama-i Festival. One is Linda Curda who you see from time to time and keeps us all in line. But one guy, has been in the background making things happen and improving the event we have come to know and love– Pat DeSmet. Pat has been the driving force for lights and sound. The event we see today is far different than the one from when Pat started working with Cama-i in the middle 1980′s. Folks, that’s almost 30 years!! We offer our sincere gratitude for a job well done and hope to see him each year. We stop to thank him now though, as it is definitely time. We couldn’t have done it without you!!

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2011 – Ayaprun Photos

Admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:40:09 +0000

There are ALOT of Ayaprun Photos!! So I have put as many as I can up online. Click here to see the photos!

2011 – Upallret Dancers

Admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:48:31 +0000

The Upallret Dance group formed in 1993. Yur’aq is a sober cultural activity- support and teaching young people to be sober and proud of their culture. This year Upallret combined with Scammon Bay Dancers to double the fun! And to top it off, they bring crowd favorite, Queen of Cama-i Mary Ann Sundown to the stage.

Marlene Moto Karl liked this post

2011- Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers

Admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:24:56 +0000

Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers is a mult-generational dance group formed in Anchorage in 2005. Their youngest member is 22 months and the eldest won’t share how old he is. They have traveled far and wide to share their culture in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and in Alaska in Metlakatla, Juneau, Fairbanks, Palmer, and Bethel. We strive to be an outlet of the Tsimshian culture through songs, dances, and their hand carved masks. The group is lead by Marcella Foster and elder leader Theo Bayou from Metlakatla.

2011- Kangirnarmiut Yurartait – Kongiganak Dancers

Admin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:50:49 +0000

Our Dance group is very excited to be performing her at Cama-i. We’ve been practicing and performing for 2 years. In the past there have been dance groups from our village, but they were not able to continue. Our village dance group has been dormant for many years and now is returning to the village per the request of the young people. Songs that we perform are compiled by the group after consultation with Ossie Kairaiuak and John Pingayak.

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2011- Nunakauyarmiut Yurartiat – Toksook Bay Dancers

Admin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:44:26 +0000

The Nunakauyarmiut Yurartiat – Toksook Bay Dancers were established in 1964 and have been keeping their traditions alive since then. They are led by Paul John and John Alirkar.

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2011 – NANDA Acrobaticalist

Admin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:17:23 +0000

NANDA has been together for 7 years. They come to Cama-i from Port Townsend, Washington and are very excited to perform for the Cama-i Audience. They extend their gratitude to everyone who made their participation possible. As they say back home– “BOOM!”

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2011 – Caputnguaq Dance Group – Chefornak

Admin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:31:38 +0000

The Caputnguaq Dance Group was one of the darlings of Cama-i 2011. The three young ones and the hilarious older folks made for a very entertaining performance. We can’t wait to see them again!!

Thieir description– “These young people started dancing 4-5 years ago taught by Hilary Kairaiuak who was our last elder. She passed away about a year ago, so now we are able to dance by ourselves.”