Finding their Own Dance: Reawakening the Alutiiq Arts

RESULTS OF KODIAK AUDIENCE QUESTIONAIRE: May 24, 2008

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS:

• Fantastic!!
• Very truthful
• Wonderful! I love it!
• I really like that there was no overarching or interpretive narration & that instead the people were allowed to speak for themselves. GREAT.
• Don’t know how to answer that (How does the film make you feel about the Alutiiq people?), but I am curious – many of the individuals in the film self-identified mainly or only with their Alaskan Native heritage when they clearly also have European heritage. Many of my friends like that are fairly open about speaking to both AK Native & European heritage. I like the balance & understanding how you bring 2 or more different “identities” together to form this wonderfully unique person that you are. (I think sometimes this happened in the film – like when the musician – Leo?- was talking about how “traditional” music now also involves guitars & other instruments/melodies etc. from European as well as Alutiiq elements (That was awesome!) – but other times it didn’t feel quite as balanced.
• I’m just learning about the Alutiiq people, so I can’t answer on truthfulness or representation. I appreciated that the history was interwoven & not avoided as a subject – brought together past and future well!
• Should have acknowledged Larry Matfay and his role in reviving dancing.
• Gordon Pullar and other Elders should be credited w/ cultural revitalization
• Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act statement, it was a land claims settlement. The land and money was not "given."
• I believe Christianity can be talked about with cultural but I believe the emphasis would have to be God!
• It has been too long on telling how our cultural people have been changed and how we are trying to remember who we are. I believe this is a great idea of how to explain to tourists and visitors what we are trying to do.
• You show lots of youth – show more elders, more talk w/ elders on what dance means to them
• Very emotional, people’s pride was evident
• I thought the editing was well done, w/ comments flowing into visual representation
• I imagine there is not much known about mask & dance history, but relating some to what is being done today would be interesting.
• Well done!
• Very professional cinematography
• Top notch, very inspiring, very understanding and informative
• Very good and cool, it was awesome, it’s very true and inspiring
• It makes me feel proud to be an Alutiiq.
• Would love to see more. Other communities and other dance groups.
• I really liked the emphasis on making today’s culture into a new tradition.
• The background sound seemed to be louder sometimes than the speaking.
• Sometimes hard to follow
• I liked the outdoor shots and all the music – include more even please. It was nice to see the variety of people interviewed.
• More elders response
• New to the area, working w/ Alutiiq. The film provided a foundation for me.
• The dancing was good
• I would also be interested in learning more about the importance of the re-awakening of culture due to the problems in Alutiiq villages today w/ alcoholism!!
• Very positive, very heartfelt truthfulness, proud
• Truth is often a matter of perspective. Fair representation of Native Perspective.
• Excellent photography and editing.
• I wish the rest of my family could see & enjoy this film! Wonderful & brought tears to my eyes! Made me very proud of my heritage!
• Even more respectful than I already am! (How does the film make you feel about the Alutiiq people?)
• Make this available everywhere!
• Need more in depth of our life style.
• Very proud.
• I love it!
• “Alutiiq” is not what we called ourself. We ARE SUGPIAQ
• If you could talk more with the Sugpiaq who have our knowledge – not scholarly knowledge
• It’s about time!
• But I understand the timing is as it should be. The laughter is good. This brought me good tears.
• Thank you for being honest!
• Made me cry.
• What about mentioning other villages?
• (How does the film make you feel about the Alutiiq people?) that they have a diverse and interesting culture, it is good that there is more encouragement of pride
• Explain more how young people find designs and gestures if the culture was “lost”
• More about the re-creation process (songs, movements. . .)
• Very well done
• Increases understanding, respect
• Overall definitely a great film, very needed! Great title!
• (How does the film make you feel about the Alutiiq people?) Also sad about truth of history
• At a recent event (Loren) shared the story of how the words and dance were developed for Dennis Metrokin’s retirement – was very interesting & gave more meaning to the dance & the people.
• Very inspired
• There is no right & wrong way to live our culture!
• Pls use other sources beyond the “usual” people. . .we have many rich teachers
• Wonderful, Thank you  
• It was incredible, very insightful, loved it greatly.