My name is Marissa and I am a 30 year old beadworker. My family comes from Circle, Alaska, and I am Gwich’in. My grandfather, Thomas Joseph Estabrook the 3rd, was born in Nenana, and his mother, Clara Gundrum, was born in Circle.
I did not grow up in Alaska, instead I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where a lot of my family still lives. I grew up only knowing Alaska in story and not being able to visit. As an adult, with the help of my family in Alaska, I have finally been able to move and live up north with them. The journey to get here was incredible, and I am so grateful to be here.
I first learned to bead whenever I got a mentor with the Alaska Native Corporation i am a shareholder of (CIRI). I taught myself to bead initially and got guidance and tips from her that I will remember always. Now, I get to learn and practice beading with my cousins, and I’ve started skin sewing with them even since i’ve gotten here. Beading with family is one of my favorite parts of any week.
I am not an enrolled member of the village i descend from (yet), but i am proud to be a descendant, and to be here, learning and seeing with family.
