Lead dance group shares their sources of strength with all participating groups through song

By Jasz Garrett and Ellie Ruel

Juneau Independent

More than 1,800 dancers from 34 dance groups crossed the stage at Centennial Hall on Saturday night, marking the end of Celebration. 

The theme this year was “Enduring Strength,” which Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Kaaháni Worl said shows the survival of Alaska Natives over thousands of years of environmental, climate and landscape changes. 

“We have been here for thousands and thousands of years, and we are saying to the world that with our enduring strength we intend to be here for at least another 20,(000) or 30,000 years,” she said to the applause of drumbeats and cheers at Centennial Hall as the Grand Exit concluded. 

The lead dance group, Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers (Our Own Dance in Our Hearts), closed the four-day biennial cultural festival by drumming and singing for three hours straight. 

“It was a lot of work, a lot of energy, but I felt like just when we were starting to get tired, another elder would be coming across the stage and you get an extra boost of energy to keep going,” said Marcella Se’iga Liimiii Asicksik. “We worked really hard to get here in planning and we’re just honored to be selected for Celebration 2026.”

Asicksik formed Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers in 2005, a multigenerational group, to represent Tsimshian people in Anchorage. 

The Grand Entrance and Exit song “Na Gatgyedem” means “Our Strength.” The dance group wrote down a list of where they draw strength from. Asicksik worked with her Sm’algyax teacher Sagoo Lit’aa to translate the words into the Tsmishian language.

The verses weave through reasons for strength, including blessings, lineage, the land and different foods. The song was recorded in June 2025 and sent to SHI so others could begin learning it.

“Once we got the translation we figured out the chorus and the melody, and it all just came together really good,” she said. “Our dance group wanted this to be our gift to all the dance groups who participated this year.” 

Asicksik said lead dance groups can choose what song to open and end Celebration with. She thinks their choice to create a new song shows the culture is a “living, breathing thing.” 

“Just like the last verse says: ‘Ada dm stayaa’nu — and I keep going,’” she said.

Asicksik added gifting the song helps everyone have an opportunity to learn Sm’algyax. 

“Especially when you’re far away from Metlakatla living in Anchorage, you miss that connection,” she said. 

Asicksik started attending Celebration in 1994. For this year, the Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers fundraised to bring 43 people to Juneau. Asicksik estimated their total roster to be 90 dancers. 

She encouraged dance groups to keep going. 

“Work really hard,” Asicksik said. “I know a lot of people put in a lot of fundraising to attend these every even year, and especially those who are doing the language work — just be kind to yourself and be gentle.”

She is on SHI’s Board of Trustees Celebration Committee, but opted out of the voting process when she saw her dance group’s name on the list to ensure a fair process. She said in 2024 her group was told to stay on stage at the end of Grand Exit for the announcement. One dance group is chosen every two years.

“We look at all the years past since Celebration started, we look at which communities have either been selected or selected twice, and then we look at communities that haven't been selected,” Asicksik explained. 

On Saturday, Vicki Soboleff, the chair of the SHI board of trustees, announced Keex’ Ḵwáan from Kake as the lead dance group for the next Celebration in 2028. 

Four days of dancing and cultural events 

Celebration originated in 1982 as a way for Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people to gather and celebrate their cultural survival. It is now one of Alaska’s largest cultural events with an estimated 5,000 participants.

Just getting to the event is an enlightening journey for some, with 13 canoes arriving last Tuesday carrying people who paddled from across Southeast Alaska.

In addition to dancers whose groups performed during the four days at Centennial Hall, plus other indoor and outdoor venues, a range of other activities occurred. On Wednesday morning a dedication ceremony for a totem pole honoring Alaska Native veterans was held at the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans Memorial Park, with the Grand Entrance by 34 dance groups starting late Wednesday afternoon.

The days that followed included juried art shows, demonstrations and lectures about aspects of Indigenous history and culture, a toddler regalia review, and a parade through downtown.

Publicly prominent most days were dances, demonstrations and vendors in Sealaska Plaza, where Celebration participants, Juneau residents, a large number of political candidates, and hordes of cruise ship visitors intermingled. A new event this year was a demonstration of Native Youth Olympic Games, along with a traditional blanket toss.

Malcolm Fuette, a local Native Youth Olympic Games participant, was among those joining a circle of people holding the blanket used to launch others — as well as volunteering to be launched.

“Relax,” he advised after being tossed a trio of times, when asked what he would suggest to other first-time participants. “Calm down, it’s pretty chill — don’t stress out about it.”

Native food contest

A longstanding event is a Native food contest spotlighting traditional subsistence cuisine. Winners were announced Friday evening in between dance performances at a packed Centennial Hall. Competitors crafted submissions of dry fish, seal oil and seaweed, the only category judged live. 

“Where in the world would there be another seaweed contest?” said judge Joe Zuboff. “This is proof we’ve been here since time immemorial.”

While the trio of judges evaluated seaweed entries for their taste, color, texture and freshness, emcee Maria Shaa Tláa Williams announced winners for the other two categories and listed the nutritional value of each subsistence food.

“All three foods are high in omega-3s for heart health and brain function, known to decrease diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and improve mental health,” Williams said. 

For the dry fish category, Sally Joseph snagged first place for “nice, smoky taste and soft and pliable texture,” followed by Mike Allard in second place and Donna James in third.

Dr. Wendy Todd’s seal oil won first place for “subtle but pleasant” flavor, with Joni Roberts in second and David Hotch in third.

Todd said it was her second time making seal oil, which she learned from her daughter. She said she puts three cracklins in each jar after rendering the blubber.

“It’s good to be able to make subsistence foods and know you’re doing it well,” Todd said.

Samples of seaweed and the judges’ leftovers were passed out to elders in the audience. Christina Webber’s entry won first place, followed by Sally Joseph in second place and Naomi Leask in third.

“They all got a 10 in my book,” said judge Jodi Mitchell. “I ate all of it.”

On Saturday, SHI President Rosita Kaaháni Worl thanked everyone for attending Celebration.

“Enduring strength,” she called out to the dancers and audience members at Centennial Hall. “Say it with me. Feel it with me. That is what we have demonstrated to ourselves and the world.”

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356. Contact Ellie Ruel at ellie.ruel@juneauindependent.com.