Folk Arts - Master Artist - Alexander Muktoyuk

Alexander Muktoyuk was born and raised on King Island. King Islanders are Inupiat Eskimos that migrated to Nome.

Alexander Muktoyuk. Photo by Fritz Dent.

He is a writer, carver, and performer of traditional dances and songs. He currently teaches dance to Inupiat Natives living in the Northwest and composes his own songs. Now living in Portland, Oregon, Muktoyuk is a member of the Inupiat Dancers, a Pacific Northwest based group that carries on the traditions of their ancestors. Muktoyuk and the Inupiat Dancers perform in Oregon, Washington, and throughout the United States educating others and sharing their culture.

As a recipient of a 2000 Apprenticeship grant, Muktoyuk taught Larry Ahvakana Inupiat songs and dances.

Larry Ahvakana is from Suquamish, Washington, and is also of Inupiat heritage. Larry is a talented artist, dancer, and sculptor of Inupiat imagery. Ahvakana has been dancing with Muktoyuk since 1995. Larry is excited to enrich his cultural ties and continue to communicate the Inupiat traditions through performance.