Origin: Savoonga, St. Lawrence Island, AK
Culture: St. Lawrence Island Yupik
Tony Pelowook was born December 7th, 1937 in Savoonga to Elsie and William Pelowook. Both parents died tragically when Tony was only seven. He and his siblings, Gilbert and Judy stayed together and raised themselves. Pelowook maintains a traditional, subsistence-based way of life, which includes hunting walrus and digging for older, fossilized walrus ivory. One of his specialties is Siberian-style cribbage boards, learned from his close cultural and geographical proximity to the native cultures in Siberia. His favorite subject to carve, however, is the walrus. Having continued to hunt, Pelowook has years of experience studying the animal and his knowledge and respect shines through in the unique, lovable expressions on the faces of his carvings.
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