The iconic Xtra Tuff boots with the Eagle moiety design. I couldn't have been more thrilled to have partnered with Allen Marine to create the first ever Alaska Native designs on Xtra Tuffs!

Photo Story: A Journey from Juneau to Sitka

Indigenous photographer Brian Adams shares a captivating look at Alaska’s southeast region through the lens of Alaska Native businesses and artists.

Allen Marine Tours and the Sealaska Corporation, both Native-owned companies, teamed with Alaska's not-for-profit Sustainable Southeast Partnership to create a new position: Regenerative Tourism Catalyst. This fancy job title encompasses a simple purpose — "to encourage tourism in a way that is beneficial to rural communities," says Mary Goddard, the Tlingit artist and activist hired for the role.

Carved into silver, the fiddlehead catches my eye as light reflects off a displayed cuff’s surface. We are standing in Mary Goddard’s studio in Sheet’Ká (Sitka), Alaska. On the wall, seemingly fresh splotches of paint sample shades of green that seem to bring the most northern rainforest into the small space. Copper sheets, large unfinished tina’as, and a formline eagle and raven sit waiting to take flight on her worktable.

“In her role as regenerative tourism catalyst, Mary Goddard relies on Alaska Native values of sustainability and hospitality to build a healthy relationship between her community and the tourists who visit, inviting us to join in stewarding the land, the sea, and the culture.”

Nestled in the muskeg, along the trail at the Alaska Raptor Center, this bench crafted by wood artist Zachary LaPierre is complete with both Eagle and Raven Moiety. I was honored to create the copper design for this bench. When you go to the Alaska Raptor Center take a selfie and tag me on Instagram or Facebook!

Sitka has some of the best non-profits, and the Sitka Science Center is one of them. Stop in to get a sneak peek of the coolest sea creatures, including an octopus! As you walk down the Sea Walk towards the Center, look up to check out the banners I designed.

Birds and Benches in Sitka put this project together. Tináa (aka Copper) was created with my husband Lucas, Tináa inlay and bench was crafted by wood artist Zachary LaPierre. You take a seat at right outside the Harrigan Centennial Hall in downtown Sitka.