End of season doesn't mean end of use.

All moose babiche 5 foot snowshoes-made May 2012

So, what is so earth shaking that I finally post a new story that makes one -trimble? Could it be that in a bit more than a week a true Master Athabascan Snowshoe Craftsman such as the genuine ability of a George "Butch" Yaska of Huslia could create a pair of these all moose babiche 5 foot beauties??  Now or decades ago or in the near future. These were just finished by his friend, the other active remaining Native snowshoe master in the state of Alaska, my friend
George Albert of Ruby, Alaska.
 They are waiting to grace a home wall-or if you dare- put on your feet next season. Snowshoes finished May 2012 and available for $1,500.                                                                     


Moose babiche filling in tail of birch snowshoes-May 2012

SNOWSHOE SQUINT and SMIRK

GRANDSON NUMMIES, 6, SMIRKS AT  NEW TINY BENDER.

LABOR OF LOVE FOR KID'S SUMMER RACES

GEORGE SQUINTS AT THE INTRICATE FILLING

21 Inch Snowshoes Raffle Benefits Ruby

21 INCH LENGTH

“Ruby’s  4^thOFjuly 
  EVENTS COMMITTEE  presents

UNIQUE SNOWSHOE  RAFFLE

                                                     
 21 INCH LONG snowshoes

 Created for the first time and donated to Ruby’s July 4^th athletic race events by Athabascan Snowshoe Builder George Albert of Ruby.  

These small Alaska Native Art Collectible 21 inch snowshoes are made of birch and filled with faux sinew and nylon floss.
George has only made usable full size snowshoes which are valued as well for their cultural and artistic appeal.

This is your first and maybe only opportunity to own a pair
of mini snowshoes made by George.

                 Raffle Tickets On Sale to July 4th drawing.

                           $ 2.00 Each and $ 5.00 for 3 tickets.

Winner need not be present to win, snowshoes can be mailed if requested.
 Out of town raffle ticket purchases are encouraged.

Contact:  LEAH  468-4466.    JENNIE 468-4461 Home
All Proceeds benefit “Ruby’s July 4^th Events Committee”.  Share information on your Facebook and Village Sites.

GEORGE ALBERT FILLING 1st PAIR OF 21 INCH FRAMES

DRILL BABY DRILL THEN TWIST AND SHOUT

 George drills the mini snowshoes in his hand selected birch with the same drill he uses for his 'human sized' snowshoes. These are ideal for any collection or residence display. So contact Ruby's July 4th Committee to buy raffle tickets.

He fills the footing area last with imitation sinew on these wall display 21 inch snowshoes. Earlier he filled the toe and tail with nylon floss. These snowshoes were created for the July 4th Ruby raffle to benefit the racers here.

21 and LEGIT

You heard it first here. A 21 inch labor of love. 21 inches of birch, nylon floss and faux sinew. The first time George ever became involved in making mini versions of his useable snowshoes. These are for a raffle to benefit Ruby's July 4th racers. Contact Leah at 468-4466 and Jennie at 468-4461 for tickets. Out of towners can purchase and we will ship the ss to the winner. Be the first. If not the last. Own your own "George Alberts."

21 inches of hanging birch, faux sinew and nylon floss

Who wouldn't see clearly the workmanship that George put into these first time ever made small wall size snowshoes? These 21 inch model snowshoes should grace your wall.  He claimed he would never make mini replicas of his fully useable twine or babiche full size snowshoes. But he decided to challenge himself this June and do so and then donated them to our local non-profit event. If you purchase a Raffle Ticket from "Ruby's 4th of July Events" Committee, you may be lucky enough to win them. Drawing is July 4th. Call Leah 468-4466 or Jennie 468-4461. These could be his (first and) last as they are fussy to work on (or was that the snowshoe maker is fussy and perfectionist?).

Rose Albert carves Athabascan life into cedar, on canvas



Rose carved an accurate Athabascan set of snowshoes on
the front side of the cedar box.



Sister Rose with moose cedar box she carved
for George's tools. He wants to find that bull.



Sister Rose-The Nowitna River Artist-shows at Iditarod Race

Painting by Rose Albert based on Iditarod race
 photography of Jeff Schultz

Once again, race fans of the Iditarod Dog race will be able to enjoy the race on several fronts. Besides watching the annual  race from its showcase start in Anchorage the first Saturday of every March, one can also enjoy the race depicted in art.
This March 4th, 2011 our relative Rose Albert will have an art show at the Alaska Native Art Foundation Gallery. (http://www.alaskanativearts.org/)
The opening reception is Friday 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This art show runs through April 1st and featured oil paintings based on the Iditarod race, often times based on the race photography of Jeff Schultz.

 Rose Albert also carves and paints incredible cedar boxes featuring Alaskan animals, nature and images such as Lance Mackey and his winning dog team. George has a box made for him featuring his beloved moose and snowshoes. To reach Rose you can search online for Nowitna River Artist, call 907-338-0079 or email her at  lbrt_rs@yahoo .com    Least we  forget, this racetime artist was the first Athabascan woman to finish the Iditarod. She knows the trail and allows us to feel its historic appeal and emotional pull with her images of iconic Alaskan landscapes and peoples. She has spent her share of time on snowshoes. Fact: All Iditarod dog mushers must carry snowshoes. We once saw Dee Dee Jonrowe's mini version of these essential backwoods tool-a piece of rolled plastic with some sort with straps. Whew. But for a race rule-ya do what ya gotta do. Charlie Boulding always carried George's snowshoes, bless him.

Hot Dog in Cold Country-Good Luck #4- Iron Dog Race Irony



George uses sno-go only as a work
horse or to get to woods looking for logs. 1980s
Vernon (Katrina) after foot race July 2000.

 And now on the day of a race on snow across Alaska - we must wish son Vernon Albert and his race partner, Kyle Malamute, a smooth, fast safe trail and  'see ya when ya buzz thru Ruby.' But, heck-it ain't The Iditarod Trail Invitational (350  to 1,100 miles alone with no dogs or engines) They are Team # 4 on Polaris 'sno-gos' in The Iron Dog Snowmobile Race starting today from Anchorage to Nome to Fairbanks. Over 2,000 miles across tough terrain in the world's longest snowmobile race. What an endeavor to undertake and challenge yourself, the elements - and machine- flash freezing in the middle of below zero temperatures of Alaska during any February! Not for couch potatoes. What a way to celebrate turning thirty. Have a speedy and safe return.

Vernon flying like the wind on his snowshoes 1992. On runners of dad's sled dreaming of the Iditarod since his Uncle Howard and Aunt Rose were also finishers of this across Alaska dog race.



OYH DZAAYE' Valentine to Denaakke'e - Language of the Koyukon Athabascans

Oyh dzaaye' is a term that means  "Snowshoe-heart."  It refers to the triangle spaces in traditional babiche snowshoe netting. It also refers to the largest triangle formed when the snowshoe builder first begins to fill his snowshoe. The shape of a heart is vaguely formed in the spaces between the babiche (or nylon twine in everyday use snowshoes).


CARIBOU BABICHE SNOWSHOE HEART

   As Jules Jette' wrote and is quoted in The Koyukon Athabascan Dictionary (with Denaakke'e language expert Eliza Jones):  "...If the guiding lines of the large oyh dzaaye' are good, the whole work will be satisfactory, i.e., strong, light, and with some elegance."  this dictionary/'encyclopedia' is the ultimate reference book to Athabascan culture-available widely in Alaska. Lots of 1898 to 1923 research with photos, sketches, language definitions, journal entries and updates during this Jesuit priest's "retirement."
We in Alaska have much to thank these folks as well as Elders and the University of Alaska at Fairbank's Alaska Native Language Center for documenting the First People's language and our jointly admired culture.