Floyd Kingeekuk Jr.

Floyd Kingeekuk Jr. (Qilupa) was born July 20, 1968 in Savoonga, Alaska, one of two villages located on St. Lawrence Island. He is the third of three sons born to Floyd Sr. and Amelia Kingeekuk.  Floyd Sr. was considered by many collectors to be the best carver in Alaska. Floyd Jr. and his siblings French and Fredrick are carrying on the family tradition and all three brothers are excellent carvers and/or scrimshaw artists.

St. Lawrence Island carving techniques are passed down from the elders of the village and family members to the young men, thus insuring the traditions are continued. Floyd started carving seals from walrus ivory when he was about seven. He learned his special artistic skill and style from his father. Floyd carves and scrimshaws ribbon, spotted, ring and harbor seals in the tradition of his father. Like his father, he usually uses fossil black ivory for the eyes. He is also noted for his representations of many other wildlife subjects including polar bears.

Floyd continues his family traditions as a subsistence hunter. He hunts seals, walrus, ducks, and geese. He is foremost a whaling captain and, with his brothers and nephews as crew, participates in the annual hunt for whales.