The St. Mary’s Dancers are one of the oldest dance groups in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, but it’s been over a decade since they’ve danced at Cama-i.
Moses Paukan Sr.’s wife receives a plaque in his honor from Cama-i Dance Festival organizer Linda Curda.
“The plane just got to St. Mary’s,” he tells festival organizer Linda Curda. Weather delayed the afternoon flight, which was scheduled to bring about half of the dancers from the Yukon River community. This year’s event is the first full-scale festival since 2019, and it’s dedicated to Moses Paukan Sr., who helped start the St. Mary’s dance group about 50 years ago. He was also a former state representative and longtime school board member in St. Mary’s.
One of the songs they perform was written by Paukan Sr.: “Ataki Tang Wiinga.” He wrote many songs for children and encouraged the youth in his community to continue dancing. Today, the dance group he founded 50 years ago has more than 20 members, from youth up to Elders, including his wife and some of his children and grandchildren.Isabella Peterson is 16. This was her first Cama-i. She wasn’t on the plane that was delayed, but her grandmother was.
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