No Matter where you are, we're glad you're here!
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| Edward (Qiuran) andNan (Carer) Kiokun, Mekoryuk ca. early 1960's VILDA UAF-2003-194-18 |
Essential Questions
- What is culture? How can it be defined?
- How can an examination of "culture" in Alaska contribute to an understanding of Alaska history?
- Why is a study of Alaska Native cultures critical for an understanding of Alaska, past and present?
- Is there an "Alaskan"culture? How could it be described?
ENGAGE
The Life of the People
You have discovered the who and where of traditional Alaska Native cultures. You have considered the connection between place and subsistence, or how a group makes a living. Now it's time to dig deeper to examine the non-material culture which represents the essence of any group.
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| Church Organist, Mary's Igloo ca. early 1900's VILDA ASL-P277- |
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| Chief Jake, Chief Yetima, Chief Andrew Dick Southeast Alaska, early 1900's VILDA ASL-P1- |
However, as educators in Alaska, we can all develop greater cultural sensitivity, awareness, interest, and respect for our students and their heritage.
EXAMINE
- What are the underlying beliefs and values of the Alaska Native groups?
- What social and political systems are embedded in traditional Native cultures?
- How are these beliefs and systems reflected in the arts, language, and traditions?
EXPLORE
- Return to the Alaska History Course and reread the descriptions of each Alaska Native group.
- Go also to Alaska Native Heritage Center and examine the exhibits and narrative.
- Read Paul Ongtooguk's article Building a Context for Stories and Traditions.
Value Added
What are your culture's values? What values are shared with other cultures? With Alaska Native cultures?
Take a few minutes to explore the cultural values linked below:
- Inupiaq values
- Yu'pik values
- Tlingit values
- Athabascan values
- Aleut values (go to bottom of page)
EXAMINE
- What interesting connections do you notice between different cultures?
- How does Place influence a culture's values?
EXPLORE SOME MORE...
Teachers' Domain
Living from the Land and Sea
This TD video adapted from the Alaska Native Heritage Center focuses on the cycle of seasons that guides the traditional Alaska Native subsistence way of life. Be sure to look for the modern cultural connections, too.
Living from the Land and SeaThis TD video adapted from the Alaska Native Heritage Center focuses on the cycle of seasons that guides the traditional Alaska Native subsistence way of life. Be sure to look for the modern cultural connections, too.
EXAMINE
- Are you discovering any universals in Alaska cultures, and specifically Alaska Native cultures?
- There are differences; but what are the similarities?
- What are the common bonds between cultures?
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| Founders- Alaska Native Brotherhood 1912 VILDA ASL-P33-08 |
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| ANB-ANS Officers, Juneau Camp 1970 VILDA ASL-Groups-NativeLeaders-6 |
Cultural Connections
In your blog, identify one Alaska culture of your community and/or of your students. Using the Alaska History Course, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and one other source, begin to describe that culture.
You may describe it in its traditional form, or in its contemporary expression. Note that cultures are not exclusively one or the other. Also keep in mind both the material and non-material aspects of the culture. This is simply an opportunity for you to make observations of your cultural and physical landscape.
The description should include words, images and links to sources.
Remember, this is an very introductory effort. It will be incomplete. Recall the analogy of Alaska history as a puzzle or a fabric. You are crafting pieces of this.
You may describe it in its traditional form, or in its contemporary expression. Note that cultures are not exclusively one or the other. Also keep in mind both the material and non-material aspects of the culture. This is simply an opportunity for you to make observations of your cultural and physical landscape.
The description should include words, images and links to sources.
Remember, this is an very introductory effort. It will be incomplete. Recall the analogy of Alaska history as a puzzle or a fabric. You are crafting pieces of this.
Further overviews of Alaska Native traditional cultures can be found in Alaska's Heritage, a textbook written for high school students now embedded in the Alaska History course website.Chapter 2 includes six pieces, starting with Chapter 2-1. The menu to advance through all six pieces is at the bottom of each page. These summaries will be helpful.
