Wassilie helps AISES, Seagal

Yup’ik artist creates a national imageIt’s not quite Hollywood, but Moses Wassilie’s work will soon be on display in Southern California once more.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society recently chose Wassilie’s logo design the winner of its national logo contest. The logo, with its emphasis on environmental issues, will be featured at the AISES conference in Anaheim, Calif., Oct. 30-Nov. 1.And:Wassilie portrayed “Joseph Ittok,” a Native corporation executive in the 1994 Steven Seagal film, “On Deadly Ground.”

“They were trying to get parts for Eskimo villagers,” Wassilie said. “I auditioned for a speaking part, a native corporation president. I tried to act like (Calista Corp. president) Matthew Nicolai, and I got the part.Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.