Alaska Job Corps students “came home” at the Mat Su College’s Alaska Native Cultures Club Wednesday, November 18. The community college extension of the University of Alaska hosted a full day celebration in honor of the coming of winter, also known as “Heyi nittu,” the Dena’ina Athabascan term. Dancing, a potluck, beading, drumming and singing were all part of the day, finishing with a concert by Pamyua in the evening. The event included Alaska Natives from all over the state. Job Corps student Ida, was honored to be able to help cut and serve muktuk that had been donated by a whaling captain from Barrow. The Miracle Dancers from Wasilla performed after the potlach meal and invited students to join them in performing dance favorites from many villages. The dance performance had been scheduled for just thirty minutes, but continued for over an hour and a half, until the Job Corps bus arrived to take students back to center. Job Corps students were invited to join the group for dancing at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday afternoons. Several Native Alaska Job Corps students discussed how comfortable this event was and said, “It felt like home.” A big thank you to the College for providing this opportunity to all of us.