Meet Pamyua, Alaska’s most famous Inuit band | INDIE ALASKA

Pamyua (bum-yo-ah) is a musical group that has gained worldwide recognition. Founded by Inuit Yup’ik African American brothers Phillip Kilirnguq Blanchett and Steven Qacungatarli Blanchett, the group produces music with traditional Yup’ik and African-American elements to create what they call “Inuit Soul.”

They are also the group behind the theme song for the PBS Kids show, Molly of Denali.

They hope to bring awareness to Alaska Native and Indigenous cultures by bringing their music and dancing to the mainstream media and around the world.

Video by Shiri Segal
Story by Shiri Segal and Valerie Kern
Additional video and photos provided by Pamyua Music by Pamyua

Shiri joined Alaska Public Media in January 2018.  Before joining AKPM, she worked as a News Production Assistant for Anchorage’s ABC/FOX/CW affiliate for six years.  Outside of work, she enjoys painting, metal clay jewelry, thrift shopping, hanging out with family/friends and traveling.

Shiri is an avid traveler has been to a couple different places in Europe, Israel and Japan. She has also resided in a few of the aforementioned. She enjoys research on cultural topics and is learning several different languages including Japanese, Korean, Hebrew and, in addition, historical languages such as Medieval English and Latin.

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