This outstanding work of scrimshaw on a walrus tusk is by Aloysius Mayac (1950-2014). Aloysius was a son of Peter Mayac and a brother of Ted Mayaac Sr. Peter Mayac is well known for establishing fine scrimshaw work within the King Island community. Upon the tusk is exquisite scrimshaw of a group of mammals and birds. This beautiful piece is 16.5″ long and it has been sold.

The Inupiaq people originated from the King Islands but now live on mainland Alaska. Due to a tuberculosis outbreak during World War II, the closing of the school, and other factors, off-island economies lured families from King Island. Consequently, most families relocated in the 1970s. To read more about Inupiaq relocation, you can visit this link. Many Inupiaq now reside near Nome, Alaska, where they continue to make baleen baskets.

Finally, whales and walruses are essential nutritional and cultural marine resources for Alaska Natives. They use the meat, blubber, skin, and organs as a healthy and rich food source. Additionally, they process the hides to cover boats and use the tusks to create ivory walrus carvings, which they sell to collectors to provide income.