The Yup’ik people held festivals where multiple villages gathered to celebrate and give thanks to Ellarpiim Yua (Person of the Universe) for the gifts of harvest and gathering. It was believed that fish and animals willingly gave themselves and observed how humans treated their bodies during the preservation process. Animal parts were used to create masks for the festivals, and small representations of animals were carved and hung from the four corners of the Qas’giq.

After the celebration, the animals returned to Ellarpiim Yua and reported that they were treated well by the humans. They asked for permission to return for future festivals. Pleased with the love and respect shown by humans, Ellarpiim Yua granted the fish and wildlife permission to celebrate life with humans again at the next harvest.