![]() Her grandmother, Rosita Worl, remembers how even as a young toddler, Crystal couldn’t sit still, “The only thing that would slow her down were bright, bold, contrasting colors or patterns. She says this aircraft will serve as a gateway to represent Alaska Natives, and she’s incredibly proud. Her work, whether it’s printmaking, painting or public art, recreates and modernizes her ancestors’ stories and explores the relationships and bonds that her people, the land and the animals share with Alaska so that generations learn its importance through traditional formline design, which dates back thousands of years. Xáat Kwáani means “Salmon People” in the Alaskan Tlingit language and refers to the spiritual link between the people who interact with the beloved salmon and all of us who benefit from their stewardship of the environment.Ĭrystal’s expressive designs purposefully blend the old and new. A fundamental belief of Native culture is that everything within the world and universe has a spirit. The first stop of Flight 62, will be through Crystal’s hometown of Juneau, then it will continue through Sitka, Ketchikan and Seattle. The Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 will fly in our fleet for many years throughout our network and enter passenger service on May 12, 2023, with an inaugural flight from Anchorage through Southeast Alaska. ![]() Our support in the state of Alaska encompasses everything from transporting critical medical supplies/cargo and investing in airport infrastructure to working with Alaska Native-owned businesses and organizations, as well as partnerships with universities to increase access to education and aviation careers. In 1932, we took our first flight between Anchorage and Bristol Bay, home of the world’s most extensive sockeye salmon run. It’s powerful.”Īlaska Airlines has always had a profound connection to the state of Alaska-after all, it’s the foundation for becoming the premier West Coast airline we are today. My family’s been here for a long time, and I can say my ancestors are from here, and I’m eating the same food in the same place that they once were, and that’s really special to be able to share that and say that and feel that-and to create and retell their stories through my eyes. It feels good to say that I live in Juneau and fish and hunt here and eat off this land. “Every time I create something big or small, it’s the same feeling of just fulfilling this need and wanting to create something and share my story, to stimulate something that’s in me that feels connected. “My heart is so full and warm,” says Crystal. It’s the first aircraft in the history of any domestic airline to be named in an Alaska Native language and to depict the ancestral importance through Northwest Coast formline art. Today, we’re honored to reveal Crystal’s latest masterpiece: Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). I can’t help but look at things and see how to Indigenize them,” says Crystal. “Every time I looked at an Alaska plane, I couldn’t help but visualize the salmon being in formline, or having some sort of design that represents identity. She says she dreamed of having her artwork displayed on a plane for years - and today, that dream became a reality. Growing up near the shores of Juneau, Crystal Kaakeeyáa Rose Demientieff Worl was used to seeing Alaska Airlines fly over the mountains into her hometown.
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