Available Workshops Across Alaska and Beyond

  • A colorful, patterned hoodie with floral and abstract designs, displayed on a mannequin in a clothing store, surrounded by various clothing items and plants.

    Qaspeq Workshop

    Learn to sew your own traditional qaspeq in a guided hands-on workshop. Designed for all skill levels — reconnect through clothing and community.

  • A woman smiling at the camera, wearing glasses, a beaded headband, and a style of hair resembling a mohawk or fauxhawk, with a braid in the foreground. She is inside a room with green walls and a window showing trees outside.

    Nasqurrun (Headdress) Workshop

    Create a traditional Yup’ik headdress that honors ancestral strength. Includes guidance in sewing and optional beading for a powerful cultural piece.

  • A woman with dark hair, glasses, and a wide smile, wearing a gray sweatshirt and a furry bag with black and white spots across her chest, in a room with green walls and various objects on shelves and counters.

    Sealskin Crossbody Bag Workshop

    Craft a beautiful crossbody bag using traditionally harvested sealskin. A 4-hour session rooted in cultural practice and ancestral skill.

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Workshop Rates & Booking Info

Each Sew Yup’ik workshop includes hands-on instruction, cultural storytelling, preparation time, and materials. I travel across Alaska and beyond to teach traditional sewing — qaspeq making, nasqurrun (headdress) workshops, sealskin bags, and more.

My goal is to make this work accessible while honoring the time, energy, and knowledge it takes to prepare and lead each session.

$350/hour of workshop instruction

$300/hour for prep time

Travel, lodging, mileage reimbursement, and per diem added as needed based on location

Materials are not included unless otherwise noted

Sealskin workshops are only available to individuals of Alaska Native lineal descent in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

Sealskin Crossbody Bag Workshop

This workshop invites participants to connect with ancestral skills through sealskin bag making. Each bag is hand-stitched using ethically sourced materials and traditional methods.

  • 4-hour workshop (can be completed in one session)

  • Materials provided (custom quote may apply)

  • Cultural overview and respectful handling included

  • Only open to individuals of Alaska Native lineal descent

  • Conducted in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

Qaspeq Sewing Workshop

In this hands-on class, participants learn to sew a traditional qaspeq — a garment worn with pride throughout Yup’ik communities. Whether you're new to sewing or have experience, this workshop guides you step-by-step through construction, pattern layout, and finishing touches.

  • Beginner-friendly

  • Adult and youth sizing

  • 1-day or 2-day options available

  • Materials included or list provided

  • Great for schools, community programs, and intergenerational groups

Nasqurrun (Headdress) Workshop

The nasqurrun (headdress) is a symbol of strength, protection, and ceremony. This workshop teaches participants how to sew their own headdress with optional bead embellishment.

  • Intermediate sewing skills recommended

  • 8–10 hours total (over 1–2 days)

  • Materials included or list provided

  • Can be paired with beading groups or cultural sessions

Speaking Engagements

I’m honored to share my journey and teachings through public speaking rooted in culture, healing, and lived experience. Whether at conferences, classrooms, community events, or podcasts, I speak from the heart about what it means to carry Yup’ik knowledge forward in today’s world.

My talks blend story, sewing, and Indigenous truth-telling — often touching on intergenerational healing, reclaiming identity, and the power of creating with intention.

Topics I Speak On:

  • Reviving Traditional Sewing in Contemporary Alaska

  • Cultural Identity & Lineal Descent

  • Indigenous Mental Health & Generational Healing

  • The Story Behind Sew Yup’ik

  • Youth Empowerment Through Ancestral Arts

Available for keynotes, panels, classroom talks, and community conversations. I travel throughout Alaska and across the U.S.

Quyana from the Community

  • "I’ve purchased many qaspeqs from Nikki with Sew Yup’ik— they are fun, high-quality designs; I’ve had and worn my qaspeqs some weekly since 2020 and the garment still is as beautiful as the day I bought them!"

    Rebekah Aagnauruq Arnold

  • This could be you, send me an email sewyupik@gmail.com if you would like to be featured

    Future Testimonial

  • This could be you, send me an email to sewyupik@gmail.com if you would like to be featured

    Future Testimonial