The November 20th Author & Artist Talk by Apay’uq Moore’s book, ‘Quyana Spirit’ is now available on our Friends of SJM YouTube channel. Link: Apay’uq Moore Artist and Author Talk, ‘Quyana Spirit’
Moore presented the process of writing and illustrating the book, her artwork, and her life in Bristol Bay and how it informs her work. Moore is a Yup’ik multidisciplinary artist and activist living in the Bristol Bay region. While her bright murals and paintings decorate places all around Bristol Bay, ‘Quyana Spirit’ is her first children’s book. Her tagline for the book, she said, is “We live in a world that is magic.”
In the book, two characters, a human boy and the Quyana Spirit, a guide, journey through the world around them. Moore said she was inspired to write this story during a walk with the two kids in Twin Hills. The boy and the Yup’ik spirit guide – are based on her children Bode and Kaya, with big sister Kaya as a guide for her little brother. “The book is about these two characters who are going through the world and sort of on a little field trip,” she said. “They are taking note of the world around them and finding all the magic in it.” Colorful illustrations of woods, tundra, river and more fill each page, and many pages include Yup’ik vocabulary.
Moore said that ‘Quyana Spirit’ aims to show the value of Yup’ik culture and the knowledge contained within it. When it comes to learning, she said she wants to encourage people to share what they know of the language, even if they aren’t fluent, as well as the culture, and normalize supporting each other in that exchange of knowledge.
Earlier in the month on Friday, Nov. 8th, there was storytelling of Apay’uq Moore’s book, ‘Quyana Spirit’ at the museum for children and their families. These two events are to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
Moore hopes her work on the book encourages others in Bristol Bay to try new things and follow through on new ideas.