Born: February 15, 1962
Tribal affiliation: Member of the Inupiaq Eskimo group.
Origin: Shishmaref, Alaska
Population: 569 (2004 census estimate)

Richard was born and raised in Shishmaref. This small spit of land is 110 miles north of Nome, Alaska in the Bering Sea. Most residents in Shishmaref live a subsistence lifestyle; hunting seals and caribou, and living off the land.

Richard’s been carving for about 20 years. He is the son of Elliot Olanna and learned to carve from his father. Like his father, Richard’s work can be found in museums and galleries, and is sought after by collectors. Whalebone carving, an old Inupiaq art form, known to exist in his culture for over 2,000 years.

His special trademarks are large whalebone jaw and rib sculptures. Usually hunters, dancers and fisherman. He also uses vertebrae and scapula bone from whales. Whalebone carvings, an old art form, have been known to exist in Eskimo culture for over 2,000 years.

The faces on Richard’s sculptures imitate the facial features of his father, Elliott. For his age, Richard is a very traditional ‘Eskimo”. Hunting for whalebone and carving are what he enjoys most.