Collection of contemporary Alaska Native masks to be burned in ceremony at museum

"Aggravated Organizms," a collection of masks carved by Drew Michael and painted by Elizabeth Ellis, went on display at Out North in 2013 and has been touring the state since then. The large marks address different diseases or dysfunctions that affect Alaskans, like diabetes, arthritis, HIV and fetal alcohol syndrome.

The 10 masks will make their final appearance in a ceremony that will conclude with their "transformation" by fire. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Anchorage Museum.

In accordance with Yup'ik and Alutiiq healing mask traditions, each mask will be "danced," performed with a dance and song, in the museum atrium. People in attendance will be invited to write down thoughts and sign the backs of masks representing diseases they feel have affected them, their friends and family.

Then the masks will be taken outside to the lawn and burned.

In a press release, Michael explained: "During times before missionary and western influence masks were shared to tell story of spirit, ancestors, please the spirits of the weather and creator, etc. After the story was shared a mask would be burned, put out in the tundra or given to children to release that story into the spirit world."