Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Public Art Sculpture
Tuyanitun: Tuggeht (pronounced too-yan-eee-toon : to-get) is a public art sculpture installed in October, 2022. It was designed by Ninilchik Village Tribal member and artist Argent Kvasnikoff, with the intention of making land acknowledgment visible and broadly accessible. The sculpture anchors a wider, upcoming revamp of Bishop’s Beach Park and Pavillion.
- Tuyanitun is a direction based on the ancient Dena’ina wayfinding system.
- Tuggeht is the Dena’ina name for the place also known as Bishop’s Beach.
- The sculpture marks a place beloved by all and evokes boreal spruce, rock cairns, and beach glass.
The community partnership between the Ninilchik Village Tribe, the City of Homer, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and Bunnell Street Arts Center signals a commitment to tell the true story of this place, and that Homer today occupies unceded Indigenous lands.
This Community Arts Partnership project is supported by grants from Alaska Community Foundation, Alaska State Council on the Arts, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, National Endowment for the Arts, National Performance Network, Ninilchik Tribal Council, and Rasmuson Foundation.
Dedication Remarks

Made Possible by
Alaska Community Foundation Social Justice Fund
Alaska State Council on the Arts
The City of Homer
Cook Inlet Tribal Council
National Endowment for the Arts
National Performance Network
Rasmuson Foundation
The Ninilchik Village Tribe
and these community donors:
Sunny Aldrich, Anonymous, Annette and Marvin Bellamy, Myesha & Christian Callahan Freet, Denice & Roger Clyne, Tom Collopy & Mary Frische, Mary & Tom Chouinard, Shannon Daut, Ken Lanfield, Charlotte Fox, Claudia Haines, Karin Holser, Lily Hope, Robert & Kris Hoffman, Lilly Kelly, Asia Freeman & Michael Walsh, Amy and Craig Fredeen, Susan Johnson, Winter Marshall-Allen, Diane McBride, Jo & Peter Michalski, Hollis Mickey, Mountain Spirit Works, Rachel Mulvihil, Margaret Nicolai, Bridget Maryott, Rika & John Mouw, Chris & Angie Newby, Adele Person, Bernie Person, Uncle Herb’s, Joseph Piper, Sallie & Dan Rediske, Bob & Miranda Shavelson-Weiss, Carol Swartz, Vamoose Alaska Vacation Rentals, Susanne Ratcliffe Wilson, Lori & Tom Zitzmann, Robanne Stadling, Mary Lou Kelsey, Thorey Munro, and Christina Fenner.
The sculpture is situated at Tuggeht, which means “at the shore” (Dena’ina), the original name for the place now called Bishops Beach, within the tribal lands of Nichiłt’ana, Ninilchik Village Tribe, which is a modern and mixed tribe, but their members trace their roots from the ancient Kachemak peoples, and the Dena’ina and Sugpiaq people of this region, who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. The name Tuyanitun is based on an ancient wayfinding system embedded in the landscape, radiating from the central high point of the Ninilchik Dome. The artist who designed this installation, Argent Kvasknikoff, tells us more about his forward-thinking vision in his remarks (Artist’s remarks)
The process of making land acknowledgement visible in the form of this sculpture began as an inquiry, an effort to learn more about this history of this place. Bunnell’s Board and staff have been deeply dedicated to this work. In 2020 Bunnell Street Arts Center hosted a series of conversations about land acknowledgement. To learn the original place names and honor the traditional stewards of this land is one thing, but how do we turn this acknowledgement into action? How do we make learning visible and accessible to more people, and make this work a ripple that at leads outward to more learning, more stewardship, and more inclusive stories of place?
Argent Kvasnikoff, the artist, is a member of Ninilchik Village Tribe, who became interested in the arts while studying anthropology and language at Capilano University in Vancouver, Canada. He has been exhibiting in juried shows, solo exhibits and art installations in Alaska since 2015. In 2019 Argent conceived the idea of Tuyanitun : Tuggeht. At his suggestion, we presented the proposal to Ninilchik Tribal Council for review, because the Ninilchik’s tribal boundaries include not just the Ninilchik and Happy Valley area, but north to south Kasilof including the south side of the Kasilof River and Tustemena Lake, East to the Caribou Hills and Kenai Mountains, South to the City of Homer and Homer Spit, and a portion of the Western Cook Inlet and Upper Alaska Peninsula surrounding Mt. Iliamna, the east of side of Lake Clark, and the south face of Mt. Redoubt.
With the approval of Ninilchik Tribal Council and its autonomous work, we then reached out to The City of Homer and invited a collaboration with Bunnell Street Arts Center in elevating this effort of land acknowledgement.
City council member Donna Aderhold brought forth Resolution 20-079 to accept Tuyanitun: Tuggeght as a gift to the municipal public art collection. And then we worked diligently with the City of Homer’s park, arts, recreation and culture commission to site the work with the advice of Bunnell’s Vice President, Rika Mouw, who is a trained landscape architect. In addition to Councilmember Aderhold and Rika Mouw, on behalf of Bunnell, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the full Council for supporting this project, Caroline Venuti, Jason Davis, Rachel Lord, Storm Hansen and Shelly Erickson, and mayor, Ken Castner. We are also grateful for the partnership of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the support of Steve Delehanty and Lora Haller, who welcome thousands of visitors to these lands every year, and introduce many to Tuyanitun ; Tuggeht.
Midton Acrylics cast the sculpture from recycled plastics in Scotland. Dave Gronseth fabricated the sculpture’s pole at Automotive Collision Experts in Homer, and many City staff, especially Public Works Director, Jan Keiser, and Parks Superintendent Matt Steffy, very capably and thoughtfully stewarded this project forward.
The City’s role in this project is an in-kind effort exceeding $55,000 in value, from land, to services. In addition, this project received grants from many organizations and supporters including Alaska Community Foundation Social Justice Fund, Ninilchik Village Tribe, Alaska State Council on the Arts, National Performance Network, Rasmuson Foundation and Cook Inlet Tribal Council, and fifty-six private contributors who donated a total of $18,194.
In all, this is a tremendous effort and we at Bunnell feel very humbled to be a part of this, and learn with our greater community, from Homer to Ninilchik and beyond, about the legacy of Ninilchik Village Tribe, from its ancestral wayfinding techniques, stories and names, a modern tribe of many people, to which one in 15 people of this greater community belongs. That’s really notable. There is so much to uplift in this learning, but most of all, we recognize the committed community members, supporters and donors, and a sense of kinship and respect that has been remarkable, expansive and ever-deepening through learning. I think this is the greatest legacy, and one that is rooted in Indigenous lifeways and values. This guides us forward. As one city staff member said, the sculpture reflects light and looks like a beacon from afar.
Tuyanitun : Tuggeht Dedication and Reception at Bishop’s Beach Park, June 21
Bunnell Street Arts Center is pleased to join The Ninilchik Traditional Council and The City of Homer in dedicating a new sculpture in the City of Homer Municipal Public Art Collection with a reception on Wednesday, June 21. Refreshments served at 5:30pm, remarks and welcome at 6pm. Tuyanitun : Tuggeht (pronounced too-yan-eee-toon : to-get) is a public art sculpture that was installed in October of 2022. It was designed by Ninilchik Village Tribal member and artist Argent Kvasnikoff, with the intention of celebrating Indigenous stewardship of these lands past, present and future. The sculpture anchors a wider, upcoming revamp of Bishop’s Beach Park and Pavillion.
Artist’s Statement about Tuyanitun; Tuggeght / Dedication Speech
- Tuyanitun is a direction based on an ancient Dena’ina wayfinding system.
- Tuggeht is the Dena’ina name for the place also known as Bishop’s Beach.
- The sculpture marks a place beloved by all and evokes boreal spruce, rock cairns, and beach glass.
Learn more about the sculpture here.
Support for this public art project comes from The Alaska Community Foundation Social Justice Fund, Alaska State Council on the Arts, The City of Homer, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, National Endowment for the Arts, National Performance Network, Rasmuson Foundation, The Ninilchik Village Tribe, and these individual donors:
Sunny Aldrich, Anonymous, Automotive Collision Experts, Annette and Marvin Bellamy, Myesha & Christian Callahan Freet, Denice & Roger Clyne, Tom Collopy & Mary Frische, Mary & Tom Chouinard, Shannon Daut, Ken Lanfield, Charlotte Fox, Claudia Haines, Karin Holser, Lily Hope, Robert & Kris Hoffman, Lilly Kelly, Asia Freeman & Michael Walsh, Amy and Craig Fredeen, Susan Johnson, Winter Marshall-Allen, Diane McBride, Jo & Peter Michalski, Hollis Mickey, Mountain Spirit Works, Rachel Mulvihil, Margaret Nicolai, Bridget Maryott, Rika & John Mouw, Chris & Angie Newby, Adele Person, Bernie Person, Uncle Herb’s, Joseph Piper, Sallie & Dan Rediske, Bob & Miranda Shavelson-Weiss, Carol Swartz, Vamoose Alaska Vacation Rentals, Susanne Ratcliffe Wilson, Lori & Tom Zitzmann, Robanne Stadling, Mary Lou Kelsey, Thorey Munro, and Christina Fenner.
For more information please contact info@bunnellarts.org.
Bunnell Street Arts Center’s mission is to spark artistic inquiry, innovation and equity to strengthen the physical, social and economic fabric of Alaska.
Land Acknowledgment Sculpture Funded
Thank you for your support of Tuyanitun : Tuggeht. We surpassed our fundraising goal with $18,239 with donations ranging from $25 to $5000, and with additional support from Alaska Community Foundation Social Justice Fund, Alaska State Council on the Arts, Automotive Collision Experts, The City of Homer, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Midton Acrylics, National Endowment for the Arts, National Performance Network, Rasmuson Foundation, and of course the Ninilchik Village Tribe. The community support of this project, and all we have learned from its creation, is inspiring.
Due to construction delays, primarily because of shipping and weather, the September 24th installation and dedication of Tuyanitun : Tuggeht must be postponed.
We deeply appreciate your support of this incredible project, and look forward to celebrating its installation later this fall. Stay tuned!
Thank you to these generous community donors for your support for Tuyanitun : Tuggeht:
Sunny Aldrich, Anonymous, Annette and Marvin Bellamy, Myesha & Christian Callahan Freet, Denice & Roger Clyne, Tom Collopy & Mary Frische, Mary & Tom Chouinard, Shannon Daut, Ken Lanfield, Charlotte Fox, Claudia Haines, Karin Holser, Lily Hope, Robert & Kris Hoffman, Lilly Kelly, Asia Freeman & Michael Walsh, Amy and Craig Fredeen, Susan Johnson, Winter Marshall-Allen, Diane McBride, Jo & Peter Michalski, Hollis Mickey, Mountain Spirit Works, Rachel Mulvihil, Margaret Nicolai, Bridget Maryott, Rika & John Mouw, Chris & Angie Newby, Adele Person, Bernie Person, Uncle Herb’s, Joseph Piper, Sallie & Dan Rediske, Bob & Miranda Shavelson-Weiss, Carol Swartz, Vamoose Alaska Vacation Rentals, Susanne Ratcliffe Wilson, Lori & Tom Zitzmann, Robanne Stadling, Mary Lou Kelsey, Thorey Munro, and Christina Fenner.
Bunnell Street Arts Center Aims to Raise $15,000 for Tuyanitun : Tuggeht Sculpture
Bunnell Street Arts Center is pleased to announce that the National Endowment for the Arts has approved Bunnell Street Arts Center for an Our Town grant in the amount of $50,000 to work in partnership with the Ninilchik Village Tribe and the City of Homer to support fabrication of Tuyanitun: Tuggeht, an Indigenous landmarking sculpture at Bishops Beach Beach Park in Homer. We look forward to working with the Arts Endowment to finalize the award paperwork and appreciate the agency’s support for this project. Tuyanitun: Tuggeht anchors future renovations to Bishops Beach Park the vision for which includes new restrooms, expanded parking, a fire pit and cohesive signage.
In 2020, The Ninilchik Traditional Council, the government of the Niqnalchint/Ninilchik Village Tribe, approved the concept for Tuyanitun: Tuggeht proposed by tribal member and artist, Argent Kvasnikoff. Next, Bunnell Street Arts Center brought the project to the City of Homer Parks, Art, Recreation and Culture Commission which approved and brought it to the City Council. With Resolution 20-079, the City of Homer approved and accepted the gift of Tuyanitun: Tuggeht, a sculpture for the Municipal Art Collection.
As a landmarking project, Tuyanitun: Tuggeht elevates the visibility of Indigenous ancestral lands. Homer is situated within the tribal lands of Nichiłt’ana. Nichiłt’ana is a contemporary geographical ethnonym for Ninilchik Village Tribe, whose descendants trace their roots from the ancient Kachemak peoples, and the Dena’ina and Sugpiaq people of this region who have sustained these lands since time immemorial. Tuggeht is the Dena’ina name for the place settlers have called Bishops Beach since the mid 1900’s. Tuggeht means “at the shore” in Dena’ina. Tuyanitun: Tuggeht represents a single point in the larger concept of place and navigation. Tuyanitun marks a wayfinding point referring to a traditional Dena’ina system of navigation embedded in the landscape based on five directions radiating from the Ninilchik Dome.
Our Town is the Arts Endowment’s creative placemaking grants program, supporting projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. Of the more than $88 million in funding included in this announcement are 63 Our Town projects totaling $4 million. These grants will support creative placemaking projects in 28 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Northern Mariana Islands. This year, a significant number of organizations submitted proposals with powerful visions for how arts, culture, and design can guide communities towards reconciliation and meaningful change. The Our Town portfolio is diverse in many respects. The common thread is their desire to establish new ways of working that sustain the integration of arts, culture, and design into strategies for strengthening communities.
With the City’s acceptance of Tuyanitun: Tuggeht as a municipal public art project, a working group formed, including the artist/designer, Argent Kvasnikoff, representatives and staff of the City of Homer, Islands and Ocean and Bunnell Street Arts Center. The working group began to meet last year to plan and discuss how the project would unfold. Tuyanitun: Tuggeht is currently in the modeling phase. Midton Acrylics in the United Kingdom will cast the sculpture, beginning with a small scale model to help raise awareness and community support. (Scale model pictured here) The project will be completed by 9/30/22. Bunnell will host a video-cast conversation about the sculpture with Argent Kvasnikoff and community partners on June 11, 2021.
Tuyanitun: Tuggeht design and artist fees and community engagement are supported by Bunnell Street Arts Center with support from the National Performance Network’s Artist Engagement Fund.
Qetit’l Ggwa: Tuyanitun development and Bishop’s Beach Revitalization Plan, June 25, 2021
Stake holders gather to discuss the development of Tuynaitun and the over-arching project of Bishop’s Beach Revitalization plan.
Read the recent article from the Homer News June 24, 2021