Toddler Regalia Review builds a sense of belonging and confidence

The arguably cutest event at Celebration is more than that — it provides representation for Native youth

Gyaa’aang Peele-Frisby, 4, smiles on stage in his regalia at Centennial Hall with his uncle, Kai Peele, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

By Jasz Garrett

Juneau Independent

Kai Peele escorted his 4-year-old nephew Gyaa’aang Peele-Frisby onto the Celebration stage on Saturday so he could show off his regalia.

Their first time in front of the crowd at Centennial Hall was Wednesday, when Peele-Frisby accepted an art award on his father’s behalf for Best of Contemporary for his 2D relief carving and painting “Eagle Mother.”

It’s his uncle’s first Celebration.

“He’s born into the culture,” Peele said. “I’m finding it.” 

Peele-Frisby is Haida, Tlingit and Unangan from the Sdast'aas clan. His uncle said he’s reconnecting to his culture through his nephew’s way of life. Peele-Frisby was one of 17 toddlers taking part in the Toddler Regalia Review on the last day of Celebration, a biennial cultural event organized by Sealaska Heritage Institute. 

Shannon Kinnamon smiles with his daughter, Lilah Dugaqua-Kinnamon, 2, during the Toddler Regalia Review at Centennial Hall on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Some toddlers weren’t as used to the stage and shyly showed off their regalia, while others twirled with a smile for the cameras. Lilah Dugaqua-Kinnamon, 2, loved the spotlight so much she tried to run back onto the stage after the show ended. Her mother, Amanda Dugaqua, scooped her up into her arms. 

“She got the loudest applause, I love it,” she said.

Dugaqua-Kinnamon is Tlingit from the Lukaax̱.ádi clan. She wore a beaded Raven vest made by her grandmother, Dawn Dugaqua. Her drum was made by her older sister, Lorilee Dugaqua-Kinnamon. The family moved to Juneau a few years ago from Phoenix, Arizona. 

“We moved back to get them culturally involved,” Amanda Dugaqua said. “I want them to be able to grow up with their traditions and know where they originated from. To have them grow up and be bilingual. Her sister is teaching her Tlingit.”

Lorilee Dugaqua-Kinnamon danced with the Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy group shortly after the Toddler Regalia Review ended. 

Harley Scott, 3, sticks her tongue out during the Toddler Regalia Review at Centennial Hall on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Her parents, Margaret Katzeek and Cer Scott, escort her on stage. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Harley Scott, 3, was also following in her older sisters’ footsteps, who both previously participated in the Toddler Regalia Review. 

“They’re a part of a dance group called All Nations Children and they have robe making, quilt making, sessions so that’s where her robe came from that she wore,” said her father, Cer Scott. “She also has an octopus bag that was made for the last Celebration. Myself and her auntie made that.”

Her sisters danced with the All Nations Children following the Toddler Regalia Review. After her first time on the runway, Harley Scott took a nap.

This Celebration, she wore a traditional patchwork skirt from her paternal grandmother. Cer Scott said she is half Tlingit and half Muscogee Creek from Oklahoma, and the skirt paired with her button robe represented both cultures.

Cer Scott said children participating in cultural events is a “big moment to see they aren’t alone — their culture’s thriving and here.” 

He said the Toddler Regalia Review in particular builds self-esteem and resilience.

“It allows them to be seen, to be visible,” he said. “Especially in today’s climate, it’s more important than ever to know your identity, to know who your people are and hold onto your culture.”

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

Matisi Maka, 5, is escorted by Raelhiya and Yolanda Fulmer on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Maka's Indigenous name is Teeykat.aa. They are Tlingit from the T’aḵdeintaan clan. Maka wears a cedar cape, Ravenstail bag, cedar mat leggings and a bearclaw crown replica. Also worn is a leather apron with an adapted Tongan mat design. His great-great-grandpa Ray Nelson Sr. Chookaneidí made and gifted paddles. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Kurt Hotch is 3 years old. His Indigenous name is Tsaa Éesh. He is Tlingit from the Chookaneidí clan. He is from Juneau. His mother is Kaasteen from the Chookaneidí clan and his father is Ḵunóosgu Éesh from the Lukaax̱.ádi clan. He is escorted by his mother, Jill Meserve, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Tsaa Éesh is wearing a Chilkat Robe woven by his great aunt Shaadootlaa Iyall, which was gifted to his mother and her children. He is also wearing a Ravenstail woven apron made by his mother that depicts seal spots in honor of his name, which means Seal Father. He is also wearing a Chilkat woven headband made by his mother and moccasins created by his grandma, Louise Kadinger. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Casiah Feller, 5, is Tlingit from the Raven Beaver clan. She is from Angoon. Her mother is Onéak from the Raven Beaver clan and her father is Christopher Feller from the Eagle Killer Whale clan. She is escorted by Kendra Feller. She wears a raven beaver blanket and headband made by her grandmother, Barbara George. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Marlin Lewis, 4, is Tlingit from the Ḵaach.ádi clan. His Indigenous name is Yansheení. He is Tlingit from the Ḵaach.ádi clan. He spins in a Ravenstail robe and apron named Kaach.ádi Naa. The robe's pattern is smooth waves, surrounding four salmon backbones. The robe and apron were made by his auntie Shaawat gé Rae Mills. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Marlin Lewis, 4, is wearing a Ravenstail medicine bag made by his Nana Judy Mills. His headband, drum, moccasins, and anklet were made by his mom, Chelsea Lewis. The anklet is made from red and yellow cedar with sea otter fur trim. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Zoe Elizabeth Ana Bravo, 5, is Tlingit from the Raven Coho clan. She is from Anchorage. Her mother is Saankat’aa from the Raven Coho clan and her father is John Totemoff from the Eagle Wolf clan. Totemoff and Pamela Johnson escort her. She shows off her moccasins with deep hide and sealskin tops with otter fur made by Lu Dennis on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Milo Nahaku Anderson, 1, is Tlingit from the Raven Beaver clan. He is from Angoon. He is escorted by his mother, Nicole Anderson. He wears a beaver vest, a cedar hat, seaweed design moccasins and a deerhide apron. His carved Beaver rattle was made by grandma Gwendolyn George. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Indy Reign Carlin Allsbrook, 2, hugs her mother, Lorin Montgomery. This is their family’s first Celebration. Allsbrook wears a leather collar and apron pieces with artwork by her great aunt, Leslie Montgomery. She wears a cedar woven headband with white rabbit fur from Metlakatla cedar. Her octopus bag is designed by Tsimshian artist Aerial Leask with the Alaska Native Sisterhood style sash representing her great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Peratrovich. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

Indy Reign Carlin Allsbrook, 2, hugs her mother, Lorin Montgomery. This is their family’s first Celebration. Allsbrook wears a leather collar and apron pieces with artwork by her great aunt, Leslie Montgomery. She wears a cedar woven headband with white rabbit fur from Metlakatla cedar. Her octopus bag is designed by Tsimshian artist Aerial Leask with the Alaska Native Sisterhood style sash representing her great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Peratrovich. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)