Introduction of Cultural Knowledge Instructor: My name is Ira Ilupak Frankson, I am Iñupiaq from Tikiġaq, Alaska, I represent Iḷisaġvik College, and I taught a Baleen Basketry workshop
By Jerica Niayuq Leavitt, Iñupiaq, Utqiaġvik, Alaska, Iḷisaġvik College
Baleen basket earrings with ivory starter and toppers that Ira made.
Iñupiat inhabits the northernmost Arctic regions of Alaska. The Iñupiat way of life varies depending on the community, its location (whether along the coast or inland), and the natural resources available =. Many Iñupiat communities outline the Arctic coast of the taġiuq (ocean) because of the abundance of food it provides. The village of Tikiġaq (Point Hope) lays on the tip of the Point Hope peninsula on the northwest coast of Alaska. The traditional lifestyle in Tikiġaq heavily integrates sea mammals into everyday life, such as the aġviq (bowhead whale) and aiviq (walrus). Not only are they a huge food source for the people, but also various parts are used in art forms such as baleen basketry.
Nearly all parts of the aġviq are used by Iñupiat people, including the skin, blubber, flippers, heart, tongue, intestines, kidney, liver membrane, bones, and baleen. Baleen are the “teeth” of a bowhead whale and act as a filter-feeding system as they eat krill in the ocean. Baleen texture is similar to plastic. Originally, our Iñupiat ancestors used baleen to make many things, such as waterproof bowls, buckets, ice scoops, fishing line, hunting implements, and nets, to name a few. Today, baleen is mostly utilized in the production of artwork, such as wall decorations, baleen ships, and earrings.
Student Robyn Burke and instructor Ira laughing away during class.
Many parts of the aiviq are eaten or used for various things, including the skin, blubber, meat, intestines, whiskers, and ivory tusks. Ivory was used traditionally for many everyday things including tools, hunting implements, harpoon tips, bow drills, knife handles, needles, combs, fishing gear, and countless other items. Today, ivory is mainly used for art such as jewelry, artwork, ulu (woman’s knife) handles, and animal figurines.
According to the book, Baleen Basketry of the North Alaskan Eskimo, the making of baleen baskets is a modern adaptation of the Athabaskan style willow baskets that came about around 1914-1918 (Lee, 1983). Baleen baskets have an ivory starter piece at the bottom, then a baleen coil that thin baleen strips are woven around, and finally, at the top of the basket is an ivory topper. This topper is normally an Arctic animal figurine. Today, there are only a handful of people who practice making baleen baskets, and the art form needs to be revitalized. One of the few people who makes baleen baskets is Ira Ilupak Frankson of Tikiġaq.
Ira showing the thickness of the baleen.
Ira Ilupak Frankson was born in 1949 in Tikiġaq (Point Hope), Alaska. His parents are the late Andrew and Aggie Frankson. He was born in a time when dog sled teams were used for transportation and when people lived in traditional style sod homes. Ira grew up hunting and whaling. In the 1960’s, when Ira was in grade school, he had the opportunity to attend and observe George Omnik’s class on how to make a baleen basket. George was a renowned baleen basket maker. This first exposed Ira to the art of baleen basketry but, it wasn’t until around 2003 that Ira began to actively practice making baleen baskets from start to finish. George’s class opened the door to the art form, but Ira’s nephew and mentor, Tommy Frankson, taught him how to cut baleen into strips and how to weave together. One important lesson that Tommy taught him was to finish what he starts.
Ira showing how to cut using a saw.
As Ira began to work with baleen and ivory, his personal style came out. He not only makes baskets but also miniature basket earrings that are a hit. Ira gets his inspiration for his art style from whaling and hunting. Many of the tops of his baskets are adorned with whale tails carved out of walrus ivory. His art represents our Native survival and our being. Being able to work with ivory and baleen makes him feel that he can make something out of important materials natural to the Arctic. His vision for the future is to see the next generation learn and teach this art form. He taught a baleen basketry class at Iḷisaġvik College in Utqiaġvik, Alaska in December 2023.
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