Weaving a Yup ik Issran ( Grass Carrying Bag): Twining a Grass Bag Making the Bottom (8 of 11)

In 2019, the Alaska office of the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center partnered with Qanirtuuq Inc. of Quinhagak, Alaska, to research and document the Yupik tradition of weaving an issran (grass carryingbag) 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 Yupik 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 Yupik Issran (Grass CarryingBag) includes detailed information, instructions and demonstrations. A limited number of free DVDs are available upon request to or To learn more about Alaska Native cultures, please visit the Smithsonian Le br, br,