September & October Rains

Quyana for prayers and the Search & Rescue who tirelessly searched for him. We love you all 💐

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I learned to create from watching my brother. He missed a shot with his bee bee gun, then I asked him what “lekuk” meant. He told me, “anglikuuvet nallunrirciqan!”

study to create

I looked up the angle of the ear, contrary to AI interpretation – don’t get me wrong, it’s imperfect and only relies on input to real people with ears to hear! I used to have ear infections as a child living in my village, possibly due to lack of running water! PBS prodigies are all over the world, brainwashed by way of input, before internet. 🤯

When quietness of the night silence by lamp buzz, sounds of sharp gas fumes coming from the chainsaw, classical music was playing from inside of our 80’s television, mini animal figurines dance above shelter by the wall with a turn key bird house clock who fails to coo at any hour!

We dipped driftwood ladle from living room window, scoop up fresh snow, mix blue berries, evaporated milk and bleached sugar, all along classical music playing in the background.

🧵🪡 keep on keep on! 🦭
Last of the dandelions

Brother, tuingunrituq Irec

He wanted a photo with me and whimsical parka, a while ago. Everyone knew him as Harry, Harrison, Irec, and other teasing names he acquired from his friends. Our brother Jonathan Lomack, he is so missed. On November 1, we will have a 40 day celebration in his memory at Akiachak. Quyana, for all the prayers and especially the Search and Rescue that tirelessly searched for him. We love you all!

Drawn by Mary Ann Lomack

Mending our Community Through Threads of our Culture

Learn more about the SHIFT program and my fellow awardees at nativeartsandcultures.org/shift

I’m pleased to share that I was recently awarded a 2025 SHIFT – Transformative Change + Indigenous Arts award from the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation. The SHIFT program recognizes Native artists, curators, and community collaborators using their creativity to address social change issues through a Native lens. Awardees receive $100,000 to support innovative community-driven projects created in partnership with an organization that uplifts Native communities, promotes self-determination, and drives transformative change. I’m pleased to be one of the six artists and curators awarded this year, selected from their most competitive applicant pool to date. 

My project, Mending our Community Through Threads of our Culture, seeks to strengthen and heal community through teaching the rich traditions of Alaska Native culture and values. Utilizing hands-on activities, I will teach Alaska Native arts and crafts to members of the Akiachak Native Community, revitalizing the traditional making of parkas, fur boots, and other Yup’ik artisan crafts. In addition to the creation process, community members will take part in activities such as cultural discussions, skill demonstrations, and seasonal subsistence outings. The project will culminate in a community-wide gathering where the participants and I will present our work, celebrate our heritage, and inspire others. The project will be coordinated and offered to the community with the Akiachak Native Community’s Wellness Program.

Learn more about the SHIFT program and my fellow awardees at nativeartsandcultures.org/shift.