Alaska's Most Authentic Collection Of Working Native Art Is Coming Back Home

Sophia Lincoln Celebrates 86 Years At Kluti-Kaah Hall On May 12th, 1988. 
Over 50 People Attended. (Archive Photo By Copper River Country Journal) 

 Sophia Lincoln's Dynamic Home-Grown Cultural Items Will Be Brought Back To Kluti-Kaah Near Her Former Home 

Lisa Yoshimoto, many years ago, at Copper Center log cabin, with multiple home-used items crafted  by her grandmother, Sophia Lincoln. (Archive photo, Country Journal) 

Lisa Yoshimoto's Labor Of Love On Behalf Of Her Grandmother's Lifework Finally Pays Off

 Kluti-Kaah Village Agrees To Put Precious Artifacts On Display 

The Native Village of Kluti-Kaah will be helping Lisa Yoshimoto transport precious – and totally unique – cultural Ahtna artifacts back to Copper Center to be put on display. The art is the lifework of Lisa's Ahtna grandmother, Sophia Lincoln. It includes a large number of items that were made in the home, for people who lived in her extended family. 

Unlike many museum displays, almost all the items were heavily worn in daily life, and provide a unique view of how an Ahtna family used home-crafted items on a daily basis until they wore out. Slippers, mittens, baby-carrying straps were all used until they had to be replaced. They were kept in corners of the cabin until Lisa retrieved them. She's been looking for a permanent home ever since, and now she's found it. 

Lisa told the Country Journal that Kluti-Kaah will be providing glass cases, and will photograph the items and make an inventory. 

Now 75 years old, Lisa is relieved. She first gathered the items and put them on display many years ago in Copper Center, at a cabin near the Copper River Cash. Since then, the items have been displayed at Meiers Lake Roadhouse on the Richardson Highway, south of Paxson. 

Lisa says that the exact date of the transfer isn't clear yet, but that Kluti-Kaah Village will bring a van up to Meiers, along with a crew. Lisa said that Billy Hand, the Kluti-Kaah administrator,  was instrumental in helping conceive of the plan. 

THE JOURNAL ARCHIVES 

SEE…

 STORY: SOPHIA LINCOLN'S INCREDIBLE ART