Learn about caribou, their seasonal habits and the role of fur in Alaska Native clothing and regalia, through a hands-on workshop with Lily Grbavach and Dena Drake. Participants will work directly with caribou fur while exploring techniques used across cultures. Caribou grow and shed distinct summer and winter coats, a cycle that shapes how their hide and fur are used. The session also introduces caribou tufting, a technique for replicating yarn punch designs, credited to Métis artists Marie Madeline Lafferty and Katherine Bouvier in 1915.
About the Instructors
Dena Drake
Dena Drake is an artist and designer based in Anchorage, Alaska. She is originally from Mamterilleq (Bethel), AK. She was introduced to fur and fabric sewing, crafting, and exploring new art forms from an early age by her grandmothers on both sides of her family. That influence sparked a lifelong passion for creating and working with her hands. Her work often incorporates porcupine quills, grouse feathers, sealskin, and calfskin into handcrafted jewelry pieces. Beyond her own practice, Dena is dedicated to making creativity accessible.
Lily Grbavach
Lily serves as the Director of Education at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) in Portage, Alaska. AWCC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care.