My sister-from-another-mister, Sharon, and I recently took an iinguak carving class at the University of Alaska Anchorage. "Iinguak" translates to "snow goggles" and they are traditionally used to prevent snow blindness. Not only functional, but many consider them to be a beautiful addition to Eskimo art.
Since moving to Alaska in 2009, I've been intrigued by these handmade eye-wares, but hadn't yet purchased a pair because I'm usually not in situations where I would encounter snow blindness. Little did I know I'd one day have the opportunity to hand-carve my own custom pair and that I'd be guided by Yupik artist/master carver James Afcan.
