The tradition of Yupik Dance belts for women is not widely practiced in the artist’s region. Many of our spiritual practices were stolen from us. This belt is a spiritual line in the sand. The prayer in each stitch symbolizes cutting the path of my people to separate the trauma of colonialism and colonization from the indigenous joy of our future. The design is meant to show a single winter day since the trauma of the last 300 years is like a single winter day in the lifespan of Yupik existence. Winter is the time when Yupik people gather for yuraq and celebrate. The colors are inspired by the sunrise, sunset, ice and to remind us of the beautiful wild roses we will see again in summer. The hollow hand with no thumb is an admonishment to always let any extra resources fall through your hands to others. If we continually and consistently give, we will always be blessed with enough.