Our traditional dances and music remain the lifeblood of our culture and our communities. They sustain and connect us with our rich cultural history. Passed down from generation to generation, our dances ensure that the many distinct Native cultures across Alaska remain connected to their origins.
Quyana Alaska was initially introduced at the 1982 AFN Convention as a ‘thank you’ from AFN to Alaskans statewide for supporting the Native community in a pro-subsistence vote. ‘Quyana’ means ‘thank you’ in Yup’ik. Through the years, this cultural celebration has helped restore our traditional dances and ensure they are passed onto future generations. Quyana Alaska has expanded to two evenings featuring 14 groups from across the state. In all, more than 200 different dance groups have performed. A cultural revival has exploded across rural Alaska, and Quyana Alaska is now a treasured highlight of each and every Convention.
The 2022 AFN Convention and Quyana Alaska I and II will be broadcast live on gavel-to-gavel television on 360 North, the Alaska Rural Communication Service (ARCS), GCI Channel 907 and live streamed via several online platforms. The broadcasts reach thousands of remote communities throughout Alaska and through the Internet, around the world. Estimated audience ranges from 10,000 – 40,000 viewers during primetime.
Our 2022 Dance Group form will be live soon!
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