Łuk’ae Tse’ Tsass Comics Council and Shared Universe

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Łuk’ae tse’ tsass, is the Ahtna phrase for fish head soup. Łuk’ae tse’ tsass sustains us. It represents our deep knowledge of Alaska as well as our humble collaborative goals as a collective. Łuk’ae tse’ tsass is created with all the seemingly “leftover” parts of the salmon. But when brought together make the most delicious soup and fully honors the salmon. As a collective, we recognize that it’s all our parts in experiences, cultures, and individual talents that create the best work and fully embraces Indigenous ways of being. Together we are Łuk’ae tse’ tsass Comics, all the parts that make a delicious soup and honors the Indigenous cultures we represent.

MISSION STATEMENT:

To create, promote and distribute exciting comic book stories/New media/fashion exemplifying the rich regional cultures of Alaska in ways that both honor the heritage and forge new concepts to bridge the past with the future.

GOALS:

Curate new media projects which respectfully showcase the vibrant tribal cultures of Alaska under a shared imprint which represents the people, heritage and values of Alaska's Indigenous communities.

Elevate and showcase up-and-coming artists by providing a platform and infrastructure in which they can utilize a process which authenticates and ensures a respectful final product.

Create regional satellite oversight councils consisting of elder and youth culture bearers, which can operate in an editorial capacity, customized for that particular regionís values and representation.

Build a network of artists and storytellers who can operate under one unified banner and whose output is certified for education and curriculum purposes.

Incorporate a banner multimedia publishing house which offers creator-owned content and Intellectual property rights while at the same time protecting tribes and their ancestral knowledge and heritage.

Offer workshops to rural areas in Alaska, teaching the methods and tools necessary to create comics/Augmented Reality/etc. while emphasizing local history, by connecting Elders and culture bearers with people who want to carry that specific heritage into these modern art forms.

Build a Shared Universe line of media which showcases all of Alaska's vibrant cultures under one banner similar to other shared universes in other mediums. Share and Promote these mutual endeavors and design distribution systems to ensure that rural Alaskan kids have access to the final products.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Nathan Shafer

Dimi Macheras

Melissa Shaginoff

Richard Perry