22 photos of the Cama-i Dance Festival’s return to Bethel

By

Katie Basile and Elyssa Loughlin, KYUK - Bethel

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March 28, 2022

traditional dancers perform — A Chefornak traditional dancer participates in yuraq during the Cama-i Dance Festival on Saturday. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

After two years of COVID-related cancellations, the Cama-i Dance Festival returned to Bethel this weekend.

The much-anticipated festival is a celebration of dance and Yup’ik culture that brings performers and artists together from across the world.

traditional dancers perform — Bethel Regional High School Dancers. (Katie Basile)

a man holds up a panel with a wolf on it — Orutsararmiut Traditional Chief Louie Andrew gives a welcoming at the Cama-i Dance Festival. (Katie Basile)

a man lighting a tall candle — Peter Atchak lights the flame at the Cama-i Dance Festival. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers on a stage — Caputnguarmiut Yurartait perform. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

a child in traditional wear with a toy — A young dancer poses for a picture during the Kwethluk Dancers’ performance. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

traditional dancers perform — The Yurartet Singers and Dancers. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

traditional dancers perform — A young Chefornak traditional dancer. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

traditional dancers perform — A Chefornak traditional dancer participates in yuraq. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

traditional dancers perform — The Unangax Dancers from Aleutian and Pribilof villages perform. (Elyssa Loughlin/KYUK)

traditional dancers perform — Kwethluk Dancers at Cama-i on March 26, 2022. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform — Yurartet Dancers. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform — Tun’aqi Blanchett dances with the Bethel Regional High School Warriors. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform — Kwethluk Dancers. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform — Bethel Regional High School Warriors. (Katie Basile)

a traditional dancer performs on stage — Sarah Guinn with Bethel Regional High School Warriors. (Katie Basile)

traditional singers and dancers perform on stage — Yurartet Singers and Dancers. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform on stage — Kwethluk Dancers. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform on stage — Caputnguarmiut Yurartait Chefornak Dancers. (Katie Basile)

hip-hop dancers perform on stage — Underground Hip-Hop Dancers. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform — Dancers at Cama-i Dance Festival. (Katie Basile)

traditional dancers perform — Unangax Dancers. (Katie Basile)

Katie Basile

Elyssa Loughlin, KYUK - Bethel