For Shareholders

BBNC Culture Camp

The BBNC Culture Camp is an opportunity for BBNC shareholders and descendants who will be in grades 9-12 next school year to share and be exposed to the cultures, languages, and traditions of the Bristol Bay region. Culture Camp is a time to come together to share and learn our ways of knowing, doing, and being as descendants of Bristol Bay’s three cultural groups: Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Dena’ina, and Yup’ik. Participants will experience camping and living from the land through a variety of activities from local knowledge bearers from across the region. In addition, participants will be exposed to traditional crafts, language learning, and song and dance.

Through the BBNC Culture Camp, students will be exposed to:

  • Unguwacirpet (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq way of being)
  • Dena’inaq Huch’ulyeshi (Dena’ina way of being)
  • Yuuyaraq (Yup’ik/Yupiaq way of being)

The BBNC Culture Camp will be from July 26 – August 1, 2023 on Nila Vena (Lake Iliamna) near the village of Igyararmuit (Igiugig), Alaska. Culture Camp reflects our mission to enrich our Native way of life, and we hope that participants will share what they learn with their communities, families, and serve as cultural bearers to promote and preserve Bristol Bay’s heritage.

Who is eligible?

BBNC shareholders and descendants who will be in grades 9-12 next school year. The number of available spaces for Culture Camp is limited. Given COVID-19 concerns, we will be keeping the group size small. Applications will be evaluated on the student’s application, teacher/community reference, the applicants age, and ensuring equal representation for geographic regions and cultural groups.

Important Dates

Application Opened – February 1, 2023

The application period opened on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Alaska time.

Application Deadline – March 31, 2023

The  application period is now closed. Applications must have been received by Friday, March 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Alaska time to have been considered.

Culture Camp – Wednesday, July 26 – Tuesday, August 1, 2023

The Vision

Purpose

To create a gathering place for strengthening and embracing our relationship to our earth, people, and waters.

Values

Create a space to come together to share and learn our ways of knowing, doing, and being descendants of Bristol Bay’s three cultural groups:

  • Yuuyaraq (Yup’ik/Yupiaq way of being)
  • Dena’inaq Huch’ulyeshi (Dena’ina way of being)
  • Unguwacirpet (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq way of being)

Goals

  • Connecting youth to their heritage and building a strong sense of identity
  • Fostering a sense of belonging
  • Creating a space for cross-cultural sharing
  • Catalyzing cultural revitalization within our region

What to Expect at BBNC Culture Camp

Camp Strengths

  • Cultural representation from all three Bristol Bay cultures
  • Partnerships and supports
  • Safety
  • Subsistence opportunities

Planned Activities

The BBNC Culture Camp will focus on Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Dena’ina, and Yup’ik languages through an assortment of activities. Our Elders, as our knowledge bearers, will be a central part of the camp. Our staff will lead a variety of activities including:

  • Berry picking
  • Plant gathering (identification and use)
  • Salmon fishing and processing
  • Song and dance
  • Storytelling
  • Traditional crafts

The 2023 BBNC Culture Camp application period has now closed. If you have any questions, please contact BBNC at rsedor@bbnc.net or 1-800-426-3602.