<\/a>Woosh.ji.een dance group performs at a “Molly of Denali” Juneau premiere at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, Aug. 11, 2019.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The local Alaska Native dance group was part of festivities at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall that preceded a screening of the cartoon about a 10-year-old Alaska Native girl. After performing, Woosh.ji.een was part of a hands-on session that got kids drumming with some direction from group leader Lyle James.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“It was really fun to do it,” Iputi said of the drumming.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Iputi, who is Tlingit, said it was her first time playing the instrument, and she was a big fan of the cartoon she watched after the musical performance, too.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“It was awesome,” Iputi said. “She explores a lot.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Avalon Iputi,9, holds a drum while looking to Shak’sháni éesh Konrad Frank of Woosh.ji.een dance group for instruction during a “Molly of Denali” event at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall Saturday, Aug. 11, 2019.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Iputi said it was the first time she has seen an Alaska Native girl in a cartoon. That point resonated with her mom, Autumn.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“It’s amazing to see a character that my child can relate to and that is going to teach children around the nation about our culture,” Autumn Iputi said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The episode of “Molly of Denali” shown to the over 100 parents and children in attendance tied into the pre-cartoon entertainment. It told the story of a misplaced drum and an older character’s experiences with forced assimilation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Children watch “Molly of Denali” at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall Saturday, Aug. 11.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Beginning in the 1800s and lasting well into the 20th century, indigenous students were forced to attend boarding schools <\/a>where regalia and Native song and dance were forbidden.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t During a question-and-answer session that followed the screening, a panel spoke to the importance of balancing cultural education, delving into serious topics and creating children’s entertainment.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “There’s a really incredible healing factor to watching something like ‘Grandpa’s Drum,’ and I want to acknowledge (Tanana tribal elder) Luke Titus<\/a> for sharing his story,” said X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, a Juneauite who is a consultant and writer for the show. “Like we’re sitting with our kids, and they’re watching, and we’re just crying, but it’s good stuff to see that doesn’t just have to be a story that only we hold onto, that we can share that story and there’s a lot more that can be done with it.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Also featured on the panel were Sovereign Bill, the voice of Molly, creative producer Princess Daazhraii Johnson, writer Vera Starbard and writer Frank Henry Kaash Katasse.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t