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Elias Venes

Elias Venes Elias Venes was born in Akiak, Alaska in 1928 to Joe and Anna Venes. His father was a prospector looking for gold who ended up in the Kuskokwim area after the Iditarod strike on the Innoko River. His mother was from the local area. Elias grew up living a subsistence lifestyle, and later worked for the NYAK mine as a wood cutter and hauler. He moved to Bethel, Alaska when he was about sixteen years old. Elias is a talented carpenter, sled maker, boat builder, and mechanic and always has a project going in his garage. Although now an elder, Elias remains active, believing in the importance of staying fit and healthy. He enjoys doing things for others, and can often been seen around town lending a helping hand. Elias is an avid fiddler and accomplished musician. He often has played at the annual Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau, Alaska.
Elias Venes appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Elias Venes

Elias Venes talks about first coming to Bethel from Akiak, Alaska when he was a boy, his first time eating in a restaurant, and how the cost of things has increased over the years. He plays a song with Martha Scott Stey and then they both play music with Barry Toelken. You can listen to more of Elias and Martha playing music in Martha Scott Stey's part of the Bethel Communities of Memory Project Jukebox.

 2011-27-02 Bethel Communities of Memory Jan 25, 1996