Enjoy these fabulously stylish trimmed seal fur earrings by Alaska Native artist Marcus Gho (Tuvraqtuq.)

My name is Marcus J. Gho. The Inupiaq (Eskimo) name I was given at birth is most closely described using the English letters Ahngasuk. In the Inupiat tradition, when a child is born, an Inupiaq name is given to the child by the oldest living relative. Inupiaq names may be gender specific, they might also have the same name as a bird, berry or another object, or they are specifically a person’s name. Names that are passed on are frequently the name of a relative that recently completed the circle of life. By continuing the name of an ancestor their legacy lives on in the next generation. Ahngasuk was the name of my great-great-grandfather who was an excellent tuvaaq (hunter). Through his hunting, he was able to provide for many people.

In the Inupiaq tradition, a tuvaaq follows a strict code that includes rules that allow for the management of hunted species so as to ensure the ability of future generations to be able to have continued access to the resource. A tuvaaq will first take care of his/her family, elders, individuals who otherwise may have difficulty providing for themselves, then the hunter him or herself – and in that order. A tuvaaq is typically the last one to eat after a successful hunt.

Because of the marine mammal protection act, this item will only be sold in the United States.