In a celebration of Alaska Native culture, two young women and a baby girl were elected as Fairbanks Native Association royalty.
The new Miss FNA is Alana Moses, 18, Yup’ik, Cup’ik, Iñupiaq, and Koyukon Athabascan. Her parents are Catherine and Calvin Moses.
Alana has been sewing since she was 4 years old, and she has dreamed of being a fashion designer or working in the arts. She designed and produced all of the regalia she wore during the competition. Her headdress, called a naqurrun, was made in the traditional Yup’ik way, using a beaded line design passed down from her great-great grandmother of Hooper Bay. She also made her blue, silver and white parka, and blue flowery qaspeq. She said her boots were her take on traditional Yup’ik boots, with pink leather soles, white leather, and mink and fox fur. Each boot had three beaded stars and seven beaded butterflies.
For her talent portion of the contest, Alana held a fashion show, with each model wearing regalia designed and made by her.
“It is very important for me to be able to say that I made all of my own regalia,” she said. “The materials and beads showcase my own style and harmonious blending of all my cultures. I plan to continue practicing and improving my techniques while proudly honoring myself and my cultures through wearing my regalia and teaching others to make their own.”
Maddison Frank-Charlie is the FNA Princess. She is the daughter of Keith and Eilleen Charlie. She wore a skin dress with traditional tanned moose hide yoke, headband and belt, made by her mother, with guidance from Lynette Winfrey-Frank and Ruth Folger. The dress pattern was made by Bernice Dahl.
Maddison is a student at Effie Kokrine Charter School. She volunteers at concessions at the Minto Spring Carnival Dog Races and school fundraisers. She is a quick snowshoer, fishes for halibut and hunts for moose.
FNA Baby is Alana Silas. Her parents are Ashley Luke and Preston Silas. The little cutie stole the show with her tiny beaver mitts made by Temple Dillard. She wore a flower print qaspeq, and little leather, fur trimmed mukluks. Her mother made her headband out of moosehide, caribou hair, dentalium shells and beads.
Alana loves playing outside, trying to play with her dog, Koda, and singing and dancing to traditional songs.