Elizabeth Peratrovich Downtown Juneau Mural

 

Kaakeeyaa yóo x̱at duwasáakw. Yéil áyá x̱át. Lukaax̱.ádix̱ x̱at sitee. Shangukeidí yádi áyá x̱át. My Tlingit name is Kaakeeyaa. I am a Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist. I am a member of the Sockeye clan and a child of the Thunderbird clan. I am inspired and driven by the cultural training and values instilled in me by my family and clan members. Living off the land and participating in cultural events provide me a wealth of knowledge that feeds my creativity. With the world recovering from the COVID pandemic and embracing racial and social justice ideals, artists must also rise to the occasion to tell our history and our stories.

 

The Project

 

I am creating a mural of the historical figure Elizabeth Kaax̱gal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights activist who worked for equality for Alaska Natives in the 1940s. She advocated and forged a way for the enactment of the State of Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, the first anti-discrimination law in the United States. As a clan member of the Lukaax̱.ádi (Sockeye Salmon), I would like to honor and commemorate my fellow clan member, Elizabeth Kaax̱gal.aat Peratrovich, by designing a mural of her iconic image located on downtown Juneau’s library wall facing the newly expanded dock.

Educating the public about the local Indigenous values, culture, and history is important for Alaskans and visitors alike. This mural will also contribute to the movement to transform Juneau into the Northwest Coast arts capital of the world and will beautify and enhance the downtown Juneau area. Moreover, the mural will foster community partnerships and pride, and, as an attraction, contribute to the local economy.

 

I will be completing the mural by the end of August of 2021. As lead artist, I will be incorporating modernized versions of our clan crest, the Sockeye Salmon along with Raven, with her portrait using Tlingit formline design. This mural will be developed with community-based support.

 

 

Project Funding

 

There are many supplies and tools necessary to complete this massive 60ft x 25ft mural. I am reaching out to my community to help fund for these costs. I've wanted to see a public art piece commemorating Elizabeth Peratrovich for so long, and it's my honor to contribute my time and work to see this through.

 

Here are some of the expenses I need help covering:

 

-Paint

-Paint brushes

-Buckets, drop cloth, rollers, squeegees, rulers

-Cost of printing art onto mural cloth (and shipping to Alaska)

-Photographer/Filmer to document the project so that I can share with you this amazing process!

 

The deadline to receive all funds will be August 31st!

 

The art will be digitally printed on polytab (the same material as a parachute!) fabric, then hand painted over for texture and more detail. I have 5 apprentices helping to paint, and apply the mural.

 

 

 

Three years ago Pat Race (AK Robotics) proposed the idea to me. Since then I have been working really hard to manage this project, and jump through all the hurdles to make this mural happen in Juneau. There have been many challenges including the pandemic and natural disasters that have challenged access to materials coming from Texas. I have gotten permission from my clan members, Elizabeth's family members, CBJ, and now I am asking you for your support! Let's make Juneau colorful and show our pride of our history, on Áak'w Kwáan territory.

 

Portions of the funding have been supported by Trickster Co., the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Rasmuson Foundation, and all of the artist's time & work as a contribution (yep, that's me!).

Please follow my Instagram to see posts and stories of the process! IG: @Crystalworl