Ch'atanaltsegh Fish Creek Indigenous Place Name Celebration

Join us at Lyn Ary Park for the Fish Creek Indigenous Place Name Celebration, an evening of music, culture, art, food, and community that honors the Dena'ina name for Fish Creek, Ch'atanaltsegh, and celebrates new improvements planned for Fish Creek estuary.

 

Hosted in partnership with the Native Village of Eklutna, Anchorage Park Foundation, Great Land Trust, Anchorage Concert Association, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage Parks and Recreation, and Anchorage Museum, the celebration will highlight the enduring connection between people, place, language, and stewardship of the Fish Creek watershed.

 

The free, family-friendly event begins at 5 p.m. at Lyn Ary Park with an opening ceremony and a festive procession featuring the Indigenous Friendship Dancers, members of the Momentum Dance Collective, and participants wearing colorful, animal-themed costumes inspired by the fish, birds, and wildlife of the Fish Creek estuary. Community members will travel together along the Coastal Trail to visit the estuary, where a new Indigenous Place Name sign and future park amenities will be located.

 

Returning to Lyn Ary Park, attendees will enjoy an outdoor concert by Pamyua, the award-winning Yup'ik-Inuit music group known for blending traditional Inuit drum and dance with contemporary sounds. The concert begins at 6 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

 

Three local food trucks will be on site throughout the event. The first 50 attendees will receive a $15 food ticket redeemable at participating food trucks, while supplies last.

"This celebration is more than unveiling a place name," organizers said. "It's an opportunity to recognize the stories, languages, cultures, and relationships that have shaped Fish Creek for generations while inspiring a shared commitment to caring for this remarkable watershed."

• Opening ceremony and community gathering
• Indigenous Friendship Dancers
• Animal-themed costume parade and estuary procession
• Visit to the Fish Creek estuary and future Indigenous Place Name sign location
• Outdoor concert by Pamyua at 6 p.m.
• Three food trucks
• Anchorage Museum family activities
• Free $15 food truck tickets for the first 50 attendees