Katrina Deacon and her little sister Sierra Balluta are Alaska Natives. Balluta was the Miss Ida'ina Tiny Tot Princess in 2016 and was to attend the Eklutna Powwow with a crown. Events like this for the family are a way of staying connected to their heritage. This, like for many natives, causes a "living in two worlds" lifestyle.
Sierra Balluta, 8, lies on the ground in front of a fan in her home in Anchorage on Monday, June 13, 2016. Balluta is this year's Tebughna Foundation Ida'ina Friendship Gathering Pow-wow princess, which took place in April.
Sierra Balluta, 8, watches her mother measure her head to make a crown for the Eklutna Pow-wow Monday, June 13, 2016. A pow-wow princess is supposed to wear a crown at every pow-wow they attend that year to represent the pow-wow they were honored at.
Sierra Balluta's, 8, unfinished princess crown lies on a table at the Eklutan Pow-wow on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The flower and "miss" was hand beaded and much of the crown was intended to have the same beading done to it.
Katrina Deacon, 19, works on the crown for her sister on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Deacon's tattoo behind her ear represents both of her native heritages: her Athabascan side and Hidatsa, Arikara and Mandan.
Katrina Deacon, 19, Jingle Dress dances during the Grand Entry at the Eklutna Pow-wow on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Katrina says that she tries to practice the dance every day at home.
Sierra Balluta, 8, left, and Katrina Deacon, 19, sit on the outskirts of the Eklutna Pow-wow on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Eklutna Pow-wow was an intertribal gathering that welcomed members from any tribe to attend.
