Nome celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a vibrant lineup of performances and special guests.
American Ninja Warrior competitor Nick Hanson co-emceed the event, sharing his personal story of how Native games helped connect him to his heritage and aided his recovery after a suicide attempt. He was joined by “Reservation Dogs” star D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who spoke about the importance of maintaining indigenous traditions and tried local delicacies including whale and salmon for the first time.
The celebration featured a community potluck with traditional foods like moose stew, salmon, muktuk, and fry bread, as well as a fashion show showcasing kuspuks, mukluks, and fur coats. The evening concluded with a performance by Inuit-soul group Pamyua, who invited the crowd to join them in a traditional Yup’ik dance.
