In 2019, the Alaska office of the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center partnered with Qanirtuuq Inc. of Quinhagak, Alaska, to research and document the Yup’ik tradition of weaving an issran (grass carrying-bag) in their community. Local artist Grace Anaver joined the team as lead artist, under the guidance of her older sister Pauline Beebe and assisted by her younger sister Sarah Brown. Locally harvested taperrnaq (coarse seashore grass) was gathered and processed for drying and curing in July, and grass from the previous fall was dyed. In August, Grace taught Yup’ik grass weavers and learners how to twine an issran in the Nunalleq Culture & Archaeology Center. The set of eleven videos presented here – Material Traditions: Weaving a Yup’ik Issran (Grass Carrying-Bag) – includes detailed information, instructions and demonstrations. Links to a selection of Yup’ik grass carrying-bags from the Smithsonian collections are included, and a link to a recommended educational resource about Yup’ik heritage. 

This project was made possible through the generous support of The CIRI Foundation, First National Bank of Alaska, and the generous supporters of the Arctic Studies Center in Alaska.

NOTE: The knowledge that Alaska Natives (Indigenous peoples of Alaska) have shared on this site is their cultural heritage, and they have cultural property rights for this knowledge. Please utilize what you learn from Alaska Natives with respect to their rights, which includes not using what you learn for personal gain such as selling artwork derived from this knowledge. To learn more about how to appreciate Alaska Native cultures respectfully, please go to the collection https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/Ha7AjCcnSBrgNbJt#r/44789
on this site where you will find a video and additional resources to learn more.

Contributor: Dawn Biddison

Tags: Alaska, Native art, museum, education, Indigenous, Yup’ik, Quinhagak, weaving, twining, grass basket, grass bag, grass carrying-bag, issran, taperrnaq, seashore grass, Elymus arenarius, Elymus mollis, Nunalleq Culture and Archaeology Center, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center in Alaska (#arcticstudies)