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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2002

"If something more rollicking than the "Alaska's Flag" hymn is desired, consider John Pingayak's "Kaaka-gguq Cauyalriitqaa" ("Listen to the Drumming"). Yeah, it's in Yup'ik. So what? Yup'ik's easy to sing. Falls right off the lips, like Italian. And, as a yuraq -- the Yup'ik style combination of music and dance -- those who can't sing can still get out there and dance to it. Folks all over the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta do so whenever the strong up-tempo beat starts. Similar to the Tlingit invitationals, it has a space in it that can be tailored to drop in the name of whatever group or place the performer wishes to honor.

On the other hand, if people prefer something more solemn than the present song, they could select "So It Is Not Forgotten" by the late Joe Wright of Haines. This song is already considered to be "the Native national anthem" by many Alaskans, who stand reverently when it is sung. The words, I'm told, essentially mean: "This is our land, Indian country, and we're not going to forget. Never, ever."

But I can't quite imagine state officials smiling or feeling good as those lyrics are sung. . ."

Get the Story:
Mike Dunham: New verse for state song is evidence politicians should steer clear of arts (The Anchorage Daily News 2/3)

Related Stories:
Native verse in Alaska song sought (1/24)