QALUTAQ ULUAQ // Knives
Qalutaq Uluaq is a niche line of timelessly stunning kitchen knives and lifestyle pieces rooted in heritage and preservation of culture.
Project Description
Qalutaq Uluaq is an Indigenous Yup’ik Black woman founded niche startup line of timelessly stunning kitchen knives and lifestyle pieces rooted in heritage, preservation of culture and the arts for the home cook, home chefs and style bon vivants kitchen and home. By merging traditional values of the Uluaq with the modern global kitchen knife industry we are sharing keen performance from an ancestral blueprint, textiles and gems which connect us through a lifestyle of design, hospitality and love rooted in cultural identity.
Qalutaq Uluaq is a woman’s knife of sleek ergonomic design, power and strength. She dances back and forth in our hands filled with visceral beauty as a storied heirloom of timeless precision and keen performance. Universally used in Indigenous Inuit cultures of the Arctic since time immemorial for skin sewing, cutting hair, filleting fish, slicing freshly made bread, cutting meat, chopping dandelion leaves and cutting through bone.
An Uluaq is an artisanal tool traditionally made from a curved or flat handle of fossilized walrus ivory, wooly mammoth ivory, caribou and moose antler or sturdy wood anchored in a life cycle of artful, sustainable subsistence living. The unique handle was reinforced with recycled saw blades formed in crescent shapes ready to smoothly chop and slice freely into viscous elements and bones of dry and wet. A timeless heirloom meant to be displayed honoring our deep compass to mother earth. A blessing to land, animal and sea.
The Uluaq is the matriarchal crown of my ancestors Kingdom. Qalutaq Uluaq is your mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, niece.
DYD // Did You Know
The Kitchen Knives Market size value in 2020 was USD 1,428.5 million? Plain and Serrated edge knives accounted for the largest share in the global market. This growth is mainly attributed to the high demand from commercial and residential applications across the globe.
Your investment in Qalutaq allows us to create and work closely with cultural experts, Indigenous artisans, bladesmith aficionados, perform R&D for product development, align with manufacturers who believe in our vision and marketing. When you invest in Qalutaq’s community your generosity keeps the artistry and cultural integrity of Yup’ik values alive and thriving for the greater good of humankind.
Bringing Qalutaq Uluaq knife to a global market is only the beginning of Qalutaq’s startup growth. We are a memoir of stories, textiles and gems connecting us through a lifestyle of sharing and love.
// Qaluaq is an Indigenous ceremony collection of timeless design and style inspired by raw materials, natural elements and nomadic movement of today. //
QALUTAQ ULUAQ // Knife
fragile as a rose. sharp as a thorn.
sexy & deadly. curvy & keen.
she’s the flower of the tundra.
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Quyana // Thank You
![Headshot, Seal Skin Parka, Black and White]()
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Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- All rewards are non-refundable.
- Certain rewards will be issued within 1-3 months, but please allot us time to prepare an incredible event for you!
- Qalutaq Uluaq knife development tbd!
- Pamyua concert + Private Chef in Alaska, dates tbd.
Give what you can. Share what brings you joy. Invest in our mission. All investments, large and small, facilitate the growth of Qalutaq.
"Qalutaq is a form of expression. A translation of cultural ideas through history, design and a paradigm shift of creative change for Indigenous woman founded, led and owned businesses.
As of 2017 Indigenous Americans owned 1.4% of all women-owned businesses in the US.
Qalutaq was born of my heart to empower Indigenous women, create jobs for Indigenous people and support social justice for my Indigenous people through the arts and business based on cultural values.
I am on a journey to reconnect, learn and share my Yupik ancestry with a global market. Ancestral connection.
Women purchasing knives for themselves or gifts will lead to changing and evolving buying behavior. We have the economic power to create long lasting change." - Charity Qalutaq Blanchett
#kenkamken
SPOTIFY // Q A L U T A Q by Dipping Spoon
Deep cuts and vibes to set any mood. Collection of three curated playlists from Qalutaq Creative Director, DJ CHAY BLAY aka Charity Qalutaq Blanchett.
Life is meant to be lived boldly, loudly, colorfully and entirely who we are. Creativity is all around us in design, music and spirit. We create with artisans, rockstars, musicians and divas.
Q&A with Founder and CEO Charity Blanchett on Qalutaq Uluaq's Indigenous history and culture; design inspirations and brand identity; and Qalutaq's future.
Virtual Q&A with founder and CEO Charity Blanchett + her favorite chef accompanied by a cooking demo with fresh Alaskan seafood late summer 2022.
Ingredient list will be sent to all participants a week before cooking demo.
Virtual Q&A with founder and CEO Charity Qalutaq Blanchett + her favorite chef accompanied by a cooking demo and a custom Qalutaq Uluaq plain edge collectors knife. Uluaq distribution date tbd.
Ingredient list will be sent to all participants a week before cooking demo.
Curated Alaskan Experience w/award winning Inuit band, Pamyua, accompanied by private chef in Alaska.
PAMYUA BRINGS INUIT MUSIC TO THE WORLD
Pamyua showcases Inuit culture through music and dance performance. The show is a platform to share indigenous knowledge and history. Their style derives from traditional melodies reinterpreted with contemporary vocalization and instrumentation. Often described as “Inuit Soul Music,” Pamyua has discovered their own genre.
The members are proud to represent Indigenous culture. The group believes unity is possible though music and dance and the members interpret Inuit traditions masterfully with joy and sincerity. The response to this message is tremendous as the group is a symbol of pride for Alaska’s indigenous people and to all who see them perform.
THE MOST FAMOUS INUIT BAND IN THE WORLD.” ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE [ITALY]
“ONE OF THE 10 GREATEST ALASKA ARTISTS OF THE MILLENNIUM.” ALASKA MAGAZINE
“A BLIZZARD OF INTERLOCKING HARMONIES.” NATIVE PEOPLE MAGAZINE
Travel and lodging not included. Curated recommendations will be offered. Trust us, you won't want to miss this.
Rewards
Give what you can. Share what brings you joy. Invest in our mission. All investments, large and small, facilitate the growth of Qalutaq.
"Qalutaq is a form of expression. A translation of cultural ideas through history, design and a paradigm shift of creative change for Indigenous woman founded, led and owned businesses.
As of 2017 Indigenous Americans owned 1.4% of all women-owned businesses in the US.
Qalutaq was born of my heart to empower Indigenous women, create jobs for Indigenous people and support social justice for my Indigenous people through the arts and business based on cultural values.
I am on a journey to reconnect, learn and share my Yupik ancestry with a global market. Ancestral connection.
Women purchasing knives for themselves or gifts will lead to changing and evolving buying behavior. We have the economic power to create long lasting change." - Charity Qalutaq Blanchett
#kenkamken
SPOTIFY // Q A L U T A Q by Dipping Spoon
Deep cuts and vibes to set any mood. Collection of three curated playlists from Qalutaq Creative Director, DJ CHAY BLAY aka Charity Qalutaq Blanchett.
Life is meant to be lived boldly, loudly, colorfully and entirely who we are. Creativity is all around us in design, music and spirit. We create with artisans, rockstars, musicians and divas.
Q&A with Founder and CEO Charity Blanchett on Qalutaq Uluaq's Indigenous history and culture; design inspirations and brand identity; and Qalutaq's future.
Virtual Q&A with founder and CEO Charity Blanchett + her favorite chef accompanied by a cooking demo with fresh Alaskan seafood late summer 2022.
Ingredient list will be sent to all participants a week before cooking demo.
Virtual Q&A with founder and CEO Charity Qalutaq Blanchett + her favorite chef accompanied by a cooking demo and a custom Qalutaq Uluaq plain edge collectors knife. Uluaq distribution date tbd.
Ingredient list will be sent to all participants a week before cooking demo.
Curated Alaskan Experience w/award winning Inuit band, Pamyua, accompanied by private chef in Alaska.
PAMYUA BRINGS INUIT MUSIC TO THE WORLD
Pamyua showcases Inuit culture through music and dance performance. The show is a platform to share indigenous knowledge and history. Their style derives from traditional melodies reinterpreted with contemporary vocalization and instrumentation. Often described as “Inuit Soul Music,” Pamyua has discovered their own genre.
The members are proud to represent Indigenous culture. The group believes unity is possible though music and dance and the members interpret Inuit traditions masterfully with joy and sincerity. The response to this message is tremendous as the group is a symbol of pride for Alaska’s indigenous people and to all who see them perform.
THE MOST FAMOUS INUIT BAND IN THE WORLD.” ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE [ITALY]
“ONE OF THE 10 GREATEST ALASKA ARTISTS OF THE MILLENNIUM.” ALASKA MAGAZINE
“A BLIZZARD OF INTERLOCKING HARMONIES.” NATIVE PEOPLE MAGAZINE
Travel and lodging not included. Curated recommendations will be offered. Trust us, you won't want to miss this.