Cama-I! Phillip John Charette—known by his Yup’ik name Aarnarquq, meaning “the one who is dangerous because he uses spirit power”—is a contemporary Yup’ik and French-Canadian artist from Alaska. Although he holds degrees from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Harvard University, Charette’s lifelong passion has always been art. In 2001, he dedicated himself fully to creating Yup’ik art and Native musical instruments, blending traditional form with contemporary interpretation.Charette focuses on reimagining historic Yup’ik dance masks, traditionally carved from wood and stained with clay, by forming them in clay and giving them an organic, wood-like finish. His innovative process bridges ancestral craftsmanship with modern materials, inviting new generations to experience the spirit and symbolism of Yup’ik culture. In following the legacy of his namesake Aarnarquq—a traditional Angalkuq (shaman or healer)—Charette’s work serves as both homage and renewal, bringing cultural stories to life through artistic transformation.