The Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East is the homeland of the Itelmen people, who are traditionally known as the Salmon People. In Itelmen tradition, the Kutkh the Raven, Creator, brought the Itelmen into the world to live in kinship with their Salmon and Bear relatives along the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk. These relationships reflect an Indigenous worldview in which humans, animals, and the natural world are deeply interconnected. 

In this family performance, Tatiana Degai and Aleksandr Mokryi, together with their sons, invite guests of the festival to experience a glimpse of Itelmen culture through traditional songs, dances, and storytelling. Their performance celebrates the cultural knowledge, values, and artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations. 

Tatiana and Aleksandr are members of the Itelmen dance ensemble Elvel, which first visited the Riddu Riđđu Festival in 2000. During that visit, the group led the traditional Itelmen thanksgiving ceremony, Alkhalalalai, honouring nature, Salmon, and the reciprocal relationship between People and the Land. Through this performance, the family continues to share and celebrate the living culture of the Itelmen people of Kamchatka.