Yaaruin Kids Magazine
Launching October 2026
For children ages 4–17
Just as the yaaruin (story knife) has always brought tales to life — drawn into snow, shared between generations — Yaaruin Kids is a magazine made to put Alaska Native language, culture, and play into the hands of the next generation.
Every issue is packed with games, puzzles, and learning adventures rooted in who we are and where we come from.
Our stories. Our cultures. Our future.
Subscription sign-ups open in October 2026. Be the first in line — subscribe to our newsletter and we'll let you know the moment the doors open.
Made by Our People, for Our People
Every page of Yaaruin Kids is brought to life by Alaska Native culture bearers who come together to create, collaborate, and pour their knowledge and creativity into every issue. This isn't a one-person operation — it's a gathering. Our goal is for culture bearers to work side by side in a group design setting, weaving their individual voices into something that feels whole, intentional, and authentically ours.
Their work is valued because it is valuable. Every contributing artist is paid for their time and talent, because building a sustainable, community-centered publication means making sure the people who bring it to life are honored and compensated fairly.
Cultural work is real work, and we treat it that way.
To every culture bearer who will sit down with us and add their mark to these pages — quyana. The Yaaruin Collective is built on your gifts, and so is the future we're making for our kids.
If you’re a culture bearer, artists, or storyteller who wants to add your mark to these pages — we want to hear from you.
Contributors
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Shiggoap (Alfie Price)
Ts’ymsyen, Haida, and Lingít
Shiggoap contributed language translations to Yaaruin Kids Magazine, sharing his expertise and years of dedicated studies to its pages.
Shiggoap (Alfie Price) is Ts’msyen, Haida and Lingit. He is Gishbutwada, which is the Ts’msyen Killerwhale clan, Gitlaan tribe from the house of the blue billed duck.
He’s one of the co-founders of the Juneau Sm’algya̱x (Ts’msyen language) learners group, along with Nancy Barnes and Alex Roehl. The group was started in November 2015.
He works for Tlingit & Haida Central Council in I.T. and enjoys digital photography. Shiggoap is a member of Yees Ku.Oo Dancers, Xaadáas Dagwíi Dancers, and is also an assistant leader in Ldakát Naax Sati’ Yatx’i (All Nations Children Dancers).Most importantly, he is the father of two; T’oxda Xsgiiga Hoon and Ksibuu Aks, both Laxsgiik (Ts’msyen Eagle clan).
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Tláakw Sháa (Chloey Cavanaugh)
Lingít
Tláakw Sháa of Black and White Raven Company contributed stories, graphics, and other materials to Yaaruin Kids Magazine. Her years of communications work and graphics design shine through her work.
Tláakw Sháa founded Black and White Raven Company to honor the artistic legacy of her grandfather, Tlingit artist Archie Cavanaugh, transforming his original sketches into contemporary graphics. The company offers graphic design, web design, consulting, and social media support for community-minded businesses, and Tláakw Sháa also creates apparel and stickers.
Tláakw Sháa recently released the first issue of Black and White Raven Company Magazine, a print publication giving Indigenous artists and writers control of their own stories.
Learn more about you you can support her work. -
Laadakuchax̂ (Mercedes Kashatok)
Unangax̂ and Yup'ik
Laadakuchax̂ contributed graphic design work to Yaaruin Kids Magazine, bringing their artistic eye and cultural knowledge to its pages.
Laadakuchax̂ was born and raised on Dena'ina lands in Anchorage and learned to bead and sew at age 12 from elders and mentors at the Urban Unangax̂ Culture Camp.
In 2020, they launched Chix̂tax̂ Designs, creating contemporary Alaska Native art and jewelry, traditional Unangan regalia, and Yup'ik qaspeqs. They source traditional materials, such as dried seal gut and furs, from Alaska Native people and artists. Laadakuchax̂ also shares their knowledge with other regalia makers and beaders, and has been invited to teach sewing and beading on St. Paul Island, their mother's hometown, and in Akutan.
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Qacung (Stephen Blanchett)
Yup’ik
Qacung contributed content used for an activity in Yaaruin Kids Magazine. His in-depth knowledge of the Yup’ik language, song-writing, and performance skills bring audio to our audiences.
He is a Bethel-raised, Juneau-based performing artist, culture-bearer, and educator, best known as a founding member and frontman of the Yup'ik-Inuit music group Pamyua, blending traditional Yup'ik and Inuit sound with contemporary style.
Qacung has been honored with a 2022 United States Artists Fellowship and a spot on the Kennedy Center's "50 for the Next 50" list.