Chuna McIntyre is a Central Yup'ik Eskimo, born and raised in the village of Eek, in southwestern Alaska, on the shores of the Bering Sea. His village, which today has a population of almost 300 people, is located near the delta of the Kuskokwim River. Traditionally, Yup'ik is the first language in his village, and they carry on the ancient traditions of their ancestors. The economy there is based largely on subsistence. The people fish and hunt for food and, in the short summer months, gather many different kinds of berries and greens from the land. He was raised by his grandmother, from whom he learned the ancient traditions -- the dances/ songs, and stories of his Eskimo ancestors.

He performs frequently for both Native and non-Native audiences, so that they may experience some of the richness of his people's culture. He is founder and director of Nunamfca ("of Our Land") Yup'ik Eskimo Dancers, which has traveled the world sharing Alaska's Native cultural heritage. At the University of Alaska, he helped organize Tuma ("Footprints") Theatre, a Native dance and drama group. He attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks as well as Sonoma State University in California. He received a Bachelor's degree from Sonoma State University in 1991 with a major in studio art and a minor in Native American studies. He currently instructs in the Central Yup'ik language for Stanford University.