Abalone Necklace
by Lorene Hanlon, Tlingit Nation
Abalone
14” long, 1” long abalone pieces
Lorene Hanlon was born in October of 1970, raised in the town of Hoonah in Southeast Alaska and is from the L`uknax.adi, Raven Coho Clan from the Frog House. Growing up in the heart of the Tlingit Nation, Lorene was exposed to traditional arts and learned many techniques from relatives. Her grandmother showed her how to design and execute intricate beadwork, her aunts taught her the methods used to make regalia and traditional clothing, while her uncles carved the local red cedar. All of these people infused her childhood with Native artistry, wonderful stories and a deep pride in her heritage.
Lorene attended the Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington, graduating with a degree in Native American Arts and Cultural Studies. She speaks some Tlingit and is learning the Tsimshian language. Lorene is dedicated to sharing the knowledge of her peoples and has fostered several programs that work with children, including the development of a Native cultural curriculum in Head Start. She has also worked on tribal programing with members of the Coast Salish community, working as a language coordinator and a Cultural Educator with the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Developing her repertoire to include basket making, regalia, Ravenstail weaving, medicine bags, and jewelry, Lorene has become well versed in a wide variety of Native arts. She dances with the Kuteeya, a Native Alaskan dance group, an experience that Lorene shares with her four children, all of whom are dancers with Kuteeya. Singing, dancing and storytelling are all ways in which Lorene shares the richness of her Native ancestry and passes this legacy onto her children.
