Collections
The Katirvik exhibit gallery contains four unique display islands that were each curated around a major theme. The themes originate in the region’s Indigenous languages, and were developed by the Elders of the region. Below are the themes of each exhibit island.
Island 1
Igleghneghput, kiyaghtaalleghput, kelliikun, nunaken ayuguq.
Waangkuta yuyaraaput nunaq imparpik ilaklluki.
Inusigut nunami aasinlu tagiumi.
Our relationship with the land and sea is our lifeline.
Waangkuta yuyaraaput nunaq imparpik ilaklluki.
Inusigut nunami aasinlu tagiumi.
Our relationship with the land and sea is our lifeline.
Island 2
Unangniinemta quutmiimi, kelliini, teghikusat yayasitkesaghqaan’ghitut, amutkesaghqaan’ghitut.
Pisurakamta pitaakarput anaganagai takaqlluki
Anuniaqtuat tagiumi suli nunami piaqsraŋni naguatun piŋnaktuat inułiq.
To hunt for game on the sea or land while respecting the spirit of the animal.
Pisurakamta pitaakarput anaganagai takaqlluki
Anuniaqtuat tagiumi suli nunami piaqsraŋni naguatun piŋnaktuat inułiq.
To hunt for game on the sea or land while respecting the spirit of the animal.
Island 3
Ataasiiluta qepghaqumta, algeghequkut uglaghngaan.
Ikaayuuklluta calista yuucim tungiinum
Igayatigiikłuta sawiłuta inuuruut.
We work together to thrive.
Ikaayuuklluta calista yuucim tungiinum
Igayatigiikłuta sawiłuta inuuruut.
We work together to thrive.
Island 4
Whaten aneghneghput, whangkuta, Siivanlleghni, apeghtughnaluki, taghnughaput, eltughaput, agavek kingunemnun.
Yuullimtni miklnguuput liicarluki timrrtat picigiagaitnak.
Talugilugit utuqunaat ayuqatuutilugit nutaat inuusugut iglailiuqtuq naguatun.
Our journey is to teach our children through the knowledge of our Elders.
Yuullimtni miklnguuput liicarluki timrrtat picigiagaitnak.
Talugilugit utuqunaat ayuqatuutilugit nutaat inuusugut iglailiuqtuq naguatun.
Our journey is to teach our children through the knowledge of our Elders.
The Katirvik Cultural Center maintains an exhibit gallery displaying collection items that explore the cultures of the Bering Strait Region. All exhibits are developed in partnership with their communities of origin through in-person meetings with Elders and community members. Communities requested that the exhibits be geared toward educating youth of the region, with a focus on strengthening their sense of cultural identity and wellbeing. The exhibit gallery is a wonderful way for visitors to learn about the vibrant cultures of the region, and we hope you come to visit!
Bird Bolo
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-005
Information:
walrus jaw bone; sinew; bird bolo; 1 missing; strung on braided sinew 18-24 inches long
Harpoon Counterweight or dart or arrow rack
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-006
Information:
harpoon counterweight or dart or arrow rack for seals and smaller game; detailed design; ivory is fossilized
Harpoon Head
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-007
Information:
ivory; metal; closed socket toggling harpoon head with corroded metal tip still intact; medium-dark ivory
Harpoon Tip
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-008
Information:
ivory; closed socket toggling harpoon tip for seals and smaller game; darker ivory; slightly detailed
Harpoon Tip
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-009
Information:
ivory; open socket toggling harpoon tip for seals and smaller game; medium to dark ivory; detailed; with small traces of stone inside
Harpoon Tip
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-011
Information:
ivory; closed socket toggling harpoon tip for seals and smaller game; light ivory; detailed
Harpoon Tip
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-012
Information:
ivory; open socket toggling harpoon tip for seals and smaller game; dark ivory; detailed
Spear, Throw Dart or Arrow Head
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-014
Information:
ivory; spear; throw dart, or arrow head for fish and small game; minimal detail
Ulu Handle
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-031
Information:
ivory; bone; decoratively detailed ulu handle
Ulu
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-032
Information:
wood; stone; wooden handled, small stone-bladed ulu
Skin Moisture Scraper
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-038
Information:
ivory; skin moisture scraper; bowl shaped; light color on the outside; darker on the inside
Decorative Ornament
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-052
Information:
ivory; whale decortive ornament for head, or hair band, wood hat, or necklace
Ivory Hook
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-060
Information:
ivory; hook or toggle for sail tie-down or lash tightener; decoratively detailed
Fish Lure
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-064
Information:
ivory; fish lure with missing hook; decoratively detailed
Men's Gear Hook
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-071
Information:
ivory; darker material used; tiny walrus carving; men's gear hook (?)
Skin Scraper
Location of Origin:
St. Lawrence Island
Culture:
St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Collection Name:
Bob and Mae Nelson
Accession Number:
2010-001-075
Information:
slate; wood; seal sinew; skin scraper
Large Shishmaref Whaling Harpoon Tip
Location of Origin:
Shishmaref
Culture:
Inupiaq
Collection Name:
Ralph Olanna Collection
Accession Number:
2017-001-003
Information:
Walrus Ivory; fossilized; estimated to be 2200 years old
Large Shishmaref Whaling Harpoon Tip
Location of Origin:
Shishmaref
Culture:
Inupiaq
Collection Name:
Ralph Olanna Collection
Accession Number:
2017-001-003
Information:
Walrus Ivory; fossilized; estimated to be 2200 years old