Caitlyn Tozier Festival of Native Arts University of Alaska Fairbanks

Photo by Bax Bond
Caitlin Tozier models a kuspuk and trip the light fantastic fans similar to those used in performances during the annual Festival of Native Arts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Tozier works as the festival'south pupil coordinator.

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From France to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts, Caitlin Tozier has helped share Alaska'southward rich indigenous cultural heritage with thousands of people across the globe.

"Teaching others about our diverse Alaska Native cultures and traditions preserves our way of life," said Tozier, a mathematics major likewise studying education and Alaska Native studies. "For my ain Iñupiaq culture, for whatever Alaska Native culture to survive, I believe we need other people to care, as well."

As a student coordinator for the Festival of Native Arts, Tozier helps share indigenous traditional art, dancing and songs with the academy and Fairbanks customs. Throughout the festival's 45 years, ethnic performance groups from all over Alaska, the continental United states of america, and countries such as Japan, Russian federation and Spain have shared their respective cultures through art, dance and music performances.

This year's festival will be from March 1-3 at UAF's Davis Concert Hall.

Tozier has been providing that educational activity for years. In July 2016, she was ane of four Fairbanksans who traveled to Caen, France, to showcase Alaska Native cultures at the invitation of the American consulate in French republic. The Globe Eskimo-Indian Olympics medalist and former Native Youth Olympics coach demonstrated Native games, taught a workshop on making akutuq (Eskimo water ice cream) and introduced participants to the Inupiaq language with traditional stories.

Tozier, who grew up in Nome, where her family unit worked to teach her how to residue modernistic living with a subsistence lifestyle, said the trip to France was "a crazy, once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"We shared about our lives and what our cultures meant to u.s.," said Tozier, whose Inupiaq name is Auktweenna, afterwards her aana (grandmother), Laraine Garrison. "The local participants were very welcoming and genuinely excited to have people from Alaska share their love for their indigenous cultures, history and trip the light fantastic. The trip was surreal, we were honored at the festival as guests, and even the mayor of Caen came to greet us."

Photograph courtesy of Caitlin Tozier
Caitlin Tozier holds freshly picked raspberries in fall 2017.

In high school, Tozier became aware of the unique challenges facing Alaska Native people and communities. Inspired past her female parent, Marie Tozier, she decided that she wanted to be part of the solution advocating for changes in schools that would improve the education arrangement for Native children. In October 2016, she was elected as a student member of the National Indian Education Association lath of directors. Concluding February, she met with Alaska's congressional delegation and advocated for Indian educational activity funding, among other things. She at present continues her work with NIEA through serving on the Policy and Governance Committee.

Another opportunity for leadership development and growth came last June. Tozier was one of four Fulbright recipients representing the United States at the inaugural Emerging Leaders for Sustainable Customs Evolution workshop at McGill University in Canada. The program brought together 40 emerging leaders to discuss how to build better relationships and working partnerships.

Tozier juggles a full schedule that includes bookish coursework, planning the Festival of Native Arts, and volunteering for the UAF Resources and Advocacy Center. This summer she began preparation in mixed martial arts and backpacking through Denali National Park. Her eclectic mix of interests keeps her grounded and challenged.

"It all requires time," said Tozier, who stays active on campus working for the Rural Alaska Honors Institute as the dorm manager. "It'south worth it because it's time spent supporting people in the community and causes that I care about."

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