New Authentic Hand Sewn Beaded Elk/Rabbit Alaskan native Moccasins- Mabel Pike

Description

Authentic Hand Sewn Beaded Elk/Rabbit Alaskan Moccasins Approx. 9"
made by Mabel Pike original receipt included.  Great item for collectors.
Mabel Pike was a Master Tlingit Artist, known for her beadwork and for her teaching. She was born in Douglas, Alaska in 1920 into the Gaanaxteidi Whale House of Klukwan; Sayak being her Tlingit name; of the raven moiety with the woodworm being one of the main crests.
She spent her early years in Juneau, where her grandmother taught her to sew. At the age of 6 she sewed a beaded pattern on her first pair of moccasins. From then on, she was hooked and began beading the motifs of her clan as well as her own designs. As Pike said, she was happiest when she was beading and surrounded by family and friends.  She and her husband Joe lived in Tanana and Bethel in the 1960s before moving to Anchorage. She soon became involved in Native activities in her new community. She founded the TAHETA Arts and Cultural Group in downtown Anchorage and also founded the Fur Rondy Arts and Crafts fair where she was a faithful exhibitor. Though mostly known for her beading, Pike also volunteered for the AK Public Radio Network, Indigenous Broadcast Company as well as KNBA Radio and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where she interpreted English into Tlingit and also shared Tlingit stories.
She taught at the University of Alaska Anchorage, at the Anchorage Museum, in Kodiak, Chenaga, Togiak, Edna Bay, and Stanford University. She was involved in the planning, fundraising and opening of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. After it opened in 1987, she taught beading workshops, conducted beading demonstrations and served as a long-time board member.
Pike passed away in March of 2012, at the age of 92.