Sarah Williams is
Athabaskan from Fort Yukon, Alaska. She is married to a Tlingit from
Sitka, and has lived in Southeast Alaska for decades, but she carries on
her ancestral work by doing traditional Athabaskan beadwork.
"My people are known
worldwide for their beadwork, especially for the style that comes from
Fort Yukon," she said.
"It consists usually
of brightly-colored floral patterns on a white background. Traditionally
these floral designs represented animal tracks. The women of my village,
over the years, have made four beaded altar cloths for our local church,
some of which give thanks for their men returning safely from wars."
Sarah learned her
craft at an early age by watching her grandparents. She does her
beadwork with an emphasis on neatness and quality. Her work
includes beaded purses, scissors' cases, traditional baby straps and
beaded
Koogéinaa.
She has exhibited her
work at bazaars, art exhibits and at the Doyon annual meeting in
Fairbanks. She is available for commissioned work.
