Photos: Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Anchorage

Jessie Coleman, center, with the Friendship Dancers "Ida'ina K'eljeshna" from the Native Villages of Eklutna and Tyonek performed during a dedication of the Dena'ina place name Hkaditali, or drift lumber, at Potter Marsh on Indigenous Peoples Day. (Bill Roth / ADN)

As wet snow fell Monday afternoon, people gathered at Anchorage’s Potter Marsh for the dedication of its Dena’ina place name, Hkaditali or “drift lumber.” The name is part of the Anchorage Park Foundation’s Indigenous Place Names Project.

“We are hoping to do 30 signs,” said Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklutna. “The next one is scheduled for late spring of 2023 at Point Woronzof.”

The sign also features Dena’ina phrases – DENA’INA EŁNENA CH’TIYUX “You are walking on Dena’ina land” and YE’UH QA TS’DALTS’IYI “Living with the outdoors.”

Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklutna spoke to people gathered at Potter Marsh for the dedication of its Dena'ina place name Hkaditali, or drift lumber, on Indigenous Peoples Day. (Bill Roth / ADN)

People gathered at Potter Marsh for the dedication of its Dena'ina place name Hkaditali, or drift lumber, on Indigenous Peoples Day. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Earlier in the day, people gathered at the Moseley Sports Center on the Alaska Pacific University campus for “Honoring Our Ways of Life: Celebrating Who We Are.”

The State of Alaska and the Anchorage Assembly have officially designated the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day, using this day to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s First People.

Students from Alaska Native Cultural Charter School sang several songs in the Yup'ik language including the national anthem and an Alaskan adaptation of This Land is Your Land during the "Honoring Our Ways of Life: Celebrating Who We Are" event at the Moseley Sports Center on the Alaska Pacific University campus on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

As Andrew Weavers drummed his son Sage Weaver, 3, watched the Alaska Native Heritage Center Dancers perform during the "Honoring Our Ways of Life: Celebrating Who We Are" event at the Moseley Sports Center on Indigenous Peoples Day. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Priscilla Hunter claps after participating in an invitational dance with her grandson Katilluq during the "Honoring Our Ways of Life: Celebrating Who We Are" event at the Moseley Sports Center on Indigenous Peoples Day. Hunter who is Yup'ik, originally from Hooper Bay, said she was 'honored to be at the celebration because they changed it from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day" and that her grandson "gets to learn about his culture even though he is young." Her sister Geraldine Tall is seated at left. (Bill Roth / ADN)

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Photos: Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Anchorage

Bill Roth