Cama-i Dance Festival.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: ENTERTAINMENT

Cama-i"--pronounced cha-MY--means welcome in the language of the Yup'ik Eskimo people; and the yearly Cama-i Dance Festival does exactly that, welcomes Native Alaskans and other dancers from around the world to Bethel to share culture and a love of dance. This year the Cama-i Dance Festival is March 22, 23 and 24.

This festival has been an annual event for more than 20 years, and over time the desire to be a part of Cama-i has naturally grown throughout the region. Thus, participation though performance is by invitation only, an absolute necessity when one considers the number of Alaska Native dance groups throughout the state--add to that the countless number of worldwide groups expressing individuality and culture through dance that are also willing and excited to participate. Various Alaska Native groups are invited to dance and make up the majority of the performers.

Each year, two individuals are chosen as Living Legends. This is to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the preservation of their culture, usually elders, and often those...