Natalia Schneider

Medium: Weaving, Skin Sewing, Beading

Natalia in her regalia.

Qangyuk (Natalia) Schneider is Sugpiaq from Kodiak and has grown into an artist in her home community. Qangyuk has always deemed our home’s culture as valuable due to the Elder influences she’s had. Natalia has been fortunate enough to have had the Sugpiaq culture surround her since she was young. She learned skin sewing and beading from her mother Teri Schneider and Elder Susan Malutin and weaving from Elder June Pardue. She has enjoyed learning to make decorative tassels, earrings, weavings that go around a wooden form used to adorn hats and parkas or make necklaces or earrings. Natalia is an active member of the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers, for whom she used to coordinate events and upkeep the regalia. She particularly enjoys making necklaces or earrings that can be used to help Sugpiaq people express their culture.

Qangyuk (Natalia) says, “I thrive when I’m surrounded by people who want to learn their culture and with people who want to see this knowledge passed down. I want to be a life long learner and know that I can only do my part. It takes a community for us to be living our culture and revitalizing different aspects of our daily lives. The next generation is our future.”