O. Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory was born and raised in Unalaska, Alaska. She had the opportunity to not only learn firsthand about her heritage from Elders but she was able to practice many of the skills traditions of her people as well. Mrs. Lekanoff-Gregory was a student of many master artists, including Anfesia Shapsnikoff, Sophie Pletnikoff, Agnes Thompson, William Tcheripanoff, Agafangel Stepetin, June Simeonoff, Barbara Carlson and Ray Hudson.
 
Patricia focused her attention on bentwood visors after learning from Master Aleut Hat maker the late Andrew Gronholdt in 1989. Shortly before his death, on his last trip to Unalaska in 1998, Mr. Gronholdt told “Pat” Gregory: “You need to start teaching this art, as I am not coming back.” Today, Mrs. Gregory has kept her promise and teaches hat making in Unalaska, Akutan, Kodiak, Anchorage, Sand Point, the Pacific Northwest, aboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry vessels and in several Aleut culture camps. Today, she is considered a Master artist herself with expertise in Aleut bentwood hat making.