"Ugheldze' Baninic'ezet: Think Good Thoughts" with Quinn Christopherson

With generous support from The CIRI Foundation, The Nave and Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA) offered three Alaska Native cultural workshops and one performance event in Fall of 2025, collectively entitled “Preservation and Celebration of Alaska Native Arts and Culture through Community Workshops and Events at The Nave.” This program series brought new opportunities to facilitate connection among Indigenous participants while sharing traditional knowledge.

On November 14, Quinn Christopherson curated an outstanding “Indigenous PechaKucha Night” with the theme: "Ugheldze' Baninic'ezet: Think Good Thoughts," an Athna value about "carrying ourselves and our stories with intention." This event gathered Alaska Native and Indigenous creators to celebrate art and the rhythms of culture and story. Stories, poems, presentations, and songs were shared by Ashley Young, Laureli Ivanoff, Raedeen Neeley, Uswi Madrid, James Dommek Jr., Ice Watah, Melissa Shaginoff, Ossie Kairaiuak, Quinn Christopherson, Jen Stever, and Joaqlin Estus. Our community laughed and cried together during this powerful evening of stories, culture, and connection.

Chin'an, thank you to The CIRI Foundation for their generous support of this program, in furtherance of The Nave's mission to support, celebrate, and strengthen community by connecting people and ideas.

We look forward to celebrating more Indigenous stories and creative performances soon.

Photos by Jovell Rennie.