Qayanek is passionately dedicated to antiquity research, documentation, preservation, and construction of the traditional Native American Yup’ik Caninermiut Qayaq. Qayanek builds kayaks as close as possible to how they were designed in traditional mud houses. Of the two basic Yup’ik kayak designs, the less documented eastern version, built in Kwigillingok, Alaska, may be the more [...]
Your donations make this important project possible! There are two direct ways you can help Qayanek save and promote traditional Yup’ik qayaq building knowledge Direct Donation Qayanek always welcomes donations. Especially, now with Qayanek’s efforts to build 10 contemporary Yup’ik kayaks. Qayanek is personally putting many thousands of dollars of in kind support into the [...]
For thousands of years northern arctic natives have been perfecting kayaks specific for their area and needs. Frank Andrew spent 23 years in this traditional men’s house mastering the details of qayaq building and countless aspects of Yup’ik life. This classic institution was his Harvard. Frank was the only person in Kwigillingok, AK in the [...]
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