Alaska's Pamyua putting on concert for 2024 Arctic Winter Games

PALMER — Pamyua, an Alaskan Inuit musical group, is putting on a special concert coinciding with the Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

The Pamyua Concert and Indigenous Fashion Show takes place at the Glenn Massay Theater Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m.

The Indigenous Fashion Show will occur prior to the concert. It will feature traditional and contemporary fashion, winter wear, jewelry, and more.

One of Pamyua's founding members Phillip Blanchett said this is a unique and exciting opportunity. He said it's an honor to represent the Arctic Winter Games, the state of Alaska, and the "local essence" of their indigenous cultures.

“Participating in this program offers us a wonderful opportunity to share the captivating stories of our Yup'ik heritage with diverse

audiences. We work to foster meaningful understanding and respect for diversity, inspire unity, and strengthen the bonds that connect us all," Blanchett said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Blanchett's brother and fellow co-founder Qacung (Stephen Blanchett), and Ossie Kairaiuak are reuniting with Copenhagen based collaborator Karina Moeller for the upcoming concert.

"That's a super, super treat," Blanchett said. "We're all like one big family."

Blanchett said that he and his brother both have roots in the Mat-Su as Wasilla High School graduates. He said that gives them even more excitement over the fact that the 2024 Arctic Winter Games are taking place in the Mat-Su.

"I think it's the perfect place to showcase the diversity in our state. They're going to be able to experience the Valley for what it is. It's beautiful," Blanchett said. "It's just a wonderful opportunity to show the excellence of northern arctic cultures."

Pamyua is an Alaskan Inuit group that showcases their culture through music and dance performances that celebrates and shares Indigenous knowledge and history through traditional melodies reinterpreted with contemporary vocalization and instrumentation. Their high energy performances blend traditional Yup’ik and Inuit drum/dance melodies and with contemporary R&B and soul music, which is often referred to as “tribal funk” or “Inuit Soul.”

According to a recent press release, Pamyua was described by Alaska Magazine as “one of the 10 greatest Alaskan artists of the millennium.”

The unique musical group has had numerous opportunities in mainstream media such as contributing music to ABC’s “Alaska Daily” with Hilary Swank, Nat Geo’s Emmy-winning “Life Below Zero: First Alaskans,” Discovery Channel’s “Flying Wild Alaska,” and PBS’ “Molly of Denali.”

Pamyua was also recently commissioned by the Library of Congress to provide a music video and oral history for the Library’s American Folklife Center, which is now freely accessible online in their permanent archive.

"We are deeply committed to honoring cultural identity. It is a privilege for us to contribute to the community, sharing the richness and uniqueness of Indigenous culture and experiences. As artists, we celebrate the joyous spirit of our Inuit heritage, showcasing the music, dance, and ancestral traditions that define us," Blanchett, said.

For more information, visit pamyuamedia.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com