Alaska Native Artist Spotlight: AukaDee Nayokpuk (Iñupiaq)

About the Author: Samantha Phillips is Tlingit - Kaagwaantaan, Eagle/Brown Bear of Klukwan and grew up in Yakutat. As a young woman she learned of her Tlingit grandmother’s suffering of severe discrimination and mistreatment while attending a residential boarding school. Publicly speaking out about what her grandmother endured served as a powerful lesson to Samantha that Indigenous voices need to be heard. By focusing on making a difference, she has passionately poured her storytelling abilities into various writing pursuits. When she is not writing in her current home in Madison, Alabama, Samantha can be found making memories with her life’s work—her six children.

Felicia “AukaDee” Nayokpuk isn't just a designer; she's a weaver of dreams, a cultural ambassador, and a beacon of self-love. When you see her parkas, luxurious creations adorned with fur and intricate details, you don't just see warmth – you see a story waiting to be told. It's a story about resilience, the beauty of heritage, and the power of embracing who you are.

AukaDee, her Iñupiaq nickname, grew up in Shishmaref, Alaska just over 120 miles north of Nome located on Sarichef Island, five miles offshore from the mainland. A traditional Iñupiat community, Shishmaref has been referred to as the “friendliest village in Alaska.” After talking with AukaDee I think it’s probably true. Warmth exudes from this vibrant young artist and mother of three. 

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Though she never had the chance to spend much time with her grandmothers, their legacy – their talent for sewing traditional Iñupiaq parkas (cold weather garments) and kuspuks (warm weather garments) – became a guiding light. It was at the tender age of eleven that inspiration struck, and she embarked on a mission to recreate her grandmothers' work.

"There was always a desire to express myself through sewing," she says softly, her voice radiating a quiet strength. "When I was inspired to make parkas, just like my grandma's, it gave me a feeling of self-love. I wanted to dig deeper, embrace myself, and have others do that too."

So she set to work, teaching herself how to sew and design. Driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to keep her cultural traditions alive, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery with needle and thread in hand. Lacking a formal teacher, AukaDee turned to the wisdom of the past and the help of YouTube videos. Slowly, guided by her heritage and sheer determination, AukaDee's fingers began to weave their own magic. What began as a challenge blossomed into a passion, and AukaDee became a skilled artisan, ready to stitch not just warmth, but also the legacy of her people, into every Iñupiaq parka and kuspuk she created.

AukaDee's parkas are more than just garments; they're expressions of cultural pride. She uses various furs – fox, seal skin, sea otter, even wolverine – to create modern silhouettes that are both functional and stunningly beautiful. But the true magic lies in the intention behind each stitch. "I want people to love themselves and feel comfortable," she explains. "Before I started creating for my culture, I felt like something was missing. Now, it's like an outlet, a way to express myself and help others find the beauty in themselves and their heritage."

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This passion extends far beyond her design work. As a Fur Rondy Heritage Ambassador, AukaDee is actively involved in her community. She volunteers with children, connects people in need with resources, and tirelessly raises funds to support others. It's a testament to the deep well of love and compassion that flows through her. Note: Fur Rendezvous is Alaska’s largest and oldest winter festival held annually in Anchorage in February. 

"Our hospitality is the best," she says with a smile, referring to her Iñupiaq culture. "We care for people, and we're blessed to bless others."

This spirit of resilience is particularly inspiring. Her culture has faced challenges, yet AukaDee chooses to focus on the future, insisting that visitors to Alaska are welcomed with open arms. "We're still nice to strangers," she says. "We don't dwell on the past; we make the future brighter."

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One way she envisions a brighter future is through language revitalization. In Shishmaref, a village of about 600 people, AukaDee supports their Iñupiaq Immersion school. She traveled to Hawaii (fun fact: it was the only time she traveled out of Alaska) to learn how to implement language immersion curriculum for her village and served as one of their first year teachers. 

She cherishes the qupeqs (patterns) passed down from her grandmothers. She uses those special emblems to adorn garments for her  family, as they signify her specific family and village.  But she also understands the importance of innovation. "With regular parkas," she explains, "I make it up as I go, incorporating the patterns and colors of the fabric to create something new.

For an added touch, AukaDee completes her ensembles with a “niaqun,” an elegant tiara or headband made of sealskin and finished with sparkling beads. “Eskimo princesses need their crown,” she asserts. Her niaquns certainly imbue the wearer with a sense of cultural pride and royalty. 

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This ability to weave tradition with modern touches is what makes AukaDee's work so special. Her dream of opening a boutique in Anchorage speaks volumes – she wants to share her love, her culture, with the world.

The next time you see an AukaDee creation, know that you're not just looking at a parka or a kuspuk. You're seeing a story of love, resilience, and a deep desire to inspire others to embrace their own unique beauty. Find AukaDee’s work on Facebook and Instagram. It is there she shares her current designs as well as takes custom orders.