Anfesia Shapsnikoff facts for kids

Anfesia Shapsnikoff (born October 1, 1901 – died January 15, 1973) was an Aleut leader and teacher. She was born in Atka, Alaska, which is part of the Aleutian Islands. Anfesia was very famous for making Aleut grass baskets. She traveled all over Alaska to teach children the special skill of Attu basket weaving, which was becoming a lost art.

Who Was Anfesia Shapsnikoff?

Anfesia Shapsnikoff was a very important person in the Aleut community. The Alaska State Legislature officially recognized her on March 7, 2000. They called her an "Aleut Tradition Bearer." This means she helped keep Aleut traditions alive.

Anfesia's Many Roles

Anfesia served her community in many ways. She was a nurse, a church reader, a teacher, and a community leader. She did these jobs for almost her entire life. Her work helped improve the lives of many Alaskans. She also helped record important parts of Aleut history.

A Strong Leader and Teacher

Anfesia was a powerful role model for people in Aleut villages. She taught many students and got involved in important community issues. Her strong belief in Aleut culture inspired many people. She also encouraged others to join community boards and help their villages.

Anfesia was small in size, but she had a very strong spirit. She cared deeply about how Aleut history was told. If she found something written about Aleut history that wasn't correct, she would speak up. She wanted to make sure the true stories of her people were shared.

Preserving Aleut Stories

Anfesia's voice and stories are still available today. There are fifteen audio recordings of her sharing traditional Aleut stories. These recordings are kept at the Alaska Native Language Archive. This archive is located at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. These recordings help future generations learn about Aleut culture and history.