This mask’s face, perhaps representing the sun, is surrounded by wooden hoops that depict different layers of the sky and feathers that suggest snow and stars. The Yup’ik understand the sun to be one of many persons from other worlds. Constant negotiation and interconnected relationships with these persons are essential for survival, ensuring the continued availability of resources such as animals to hunt. When food was scarce, a spiritual leader would utilize this mask to enter the celestial realm and petition the sun for help. The shortened thumbs on both sides of the mask reflect the community’s desire that animals might slip through the sun’s hands and into their world to be hunted.