Alaska Beat

Photos: Funeral of Athabascan elder Katie John in Mentasta

Wasilla-based photographer and blogger Bill Hess has posted scores of photos from the Saturday funeral of Athabascan elder Katie John in her hometown of Mentasta. The village's population is about 100, but as many as 1,000 people attended, Hess says. The open-casket service included photos from her lifetime, and burial was followed by dancing, personal testimonials and a potlatch. Even more of Hess' photos from the funeral can be seen here.

ADN photos from the Anchorage memorial to John are here.

Anchorage

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