The Talking Stick, Podcast #2 with Ashley "Nallungriiq" DeHart | Hosted by Our Indigenous Traditions

Interview with Ashley “Nallungriiq” DeHart

Instagram: @thicc.indigenous.baddie

Bio: My name is Ashley “Nallungriiq” DeHart. I am 23 years old. I am enrolled in the Sunaq Tribe of Kodiak. I come from the Sugpiaq Nation. The core of my existence stems from the southernmost village on Kodiak Island called, “Akhiok.” I spent my summers between the village and my grandpa’s fish camp in Olga Bay. I spent my winters in the city of Kodiak for school. At fish camp, we would spend our time preparing for the long winters. My favorable childhood memories are with my grandparents. They are the reason I am who and where I am today. My passion is culture and keeping traditions alive. I am always learning and trying to ask questions about our people. I am a full-time homemaker and I run my business on the side called, “Nunaq Medicine.” I sell my artwork via social media, 95% of my sales are commissioned orders.

I am blessed to be able to look after my daughter at home and allow her to watch the things I am doing. I let her watch me bead, sew, tattoo, dance, sing, drum, make regalia, cook, clean, process/ preserve our native foods, traditional healing, & carving. I try to teach her our language (Sugtstun) with the little words and phrases I know. All vital and important to all of our people. I’ve dedicated the last 5 years of my life to reclaiming what was asleep in my family, I am still paddling against the wind. Right now, I am learning how to carve wood, walrus ivory, and whale baleen, with hopes to add these items into my inventory for sales. I encourage anyone that is trying to learn about their heritage, to just go for it! You will only gain from that moment forward. For something that is so little, it impacts your life so drastically, in a good way that you heal yourself, you heal the ones who came before you, and heal the ones you will look after. Culture saved my life. 

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Recorded Date: 1/5/2021

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