Module 1- Place and Pedagogy-connection of people and place

How does the connection between people and place appear in your community?


Fishing, hunting and berry picking connect the people of Dillingham to the environment.  Traditions such as  fishing in a particular spot and best berry-picking sites have been passed down through the generations. Young hunters often follow tradition by giving away their first kill. Children are taught to be generous and share what they have.  People from outlying villages come for the summer to live in cabins and fish where their ancestors fished.  Residents pick the many types of berries such as salmon berries, blackberries, blueberries, huckleberries and cranberries.  Natives are very aware of the seasons and hunt, fish and gather during the best time of the year for those activities. Subsistence hunters and fisherman  take only what they need for the year.  Sometimes they freeze fish in  permafrost, however with global warming, permafrost is quickly disappearing.

Blueberries

Salmonberries

Raspberries

from: http://alaskatrekker.com/berrypicking.htm


Children learn to follow the traditions of their families and ancestors by observing and experiencing. Later,  when they are ready, they practice those skills.  In the past children were immersed in the activity by spending time with their extended family.  Today children spend so much time in school they are not as exposed to immersion in their culture. This creates a disconnect between parents and children.  Schools try to bridge the gap by offering bilingual classes in which students learn native dances and traditions.  Students also have the opportunity to learn to make traditional clothing and a mixture  of berries,Crisco and sugar.  Crisco replaced the  traditional and, probably healthier, seal oil.  They also learn to dry and preserve fish and game meat. 


There is a great respect for elders in the Yu'pik culture. Many believe that preserving  the culture is dependent on passing down wisdom from elders.  Busy lives and Western influences make it more difficult, although some people  are able to blend cultures together and live and thrive in both worlds. 

 http://www.alaskanative.net/en/paranav/resources/
 

School systems with the best intentions don't always mesh well with the Native culture.  They bring with them concerns for test scores, making AYP and using research-based practices which are foreign  to the day to day concerns of the Native people.  Best practices should include using resources from within the community so that the community is involved and participating in the education of their children.  It is important to have an understanding of what cultural values should be kept alive and passed on to future generations. We as educators need to understand and respect the culture of the community as well as teach them about our culture.








http://ankn.uaf.edu/curriculum/Yupiaq/Dillingham_City/Schools_District/index.html


http://ankn.uaf.edu/media/videos/passingonflash.html


 http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ean08.sci.ess.earthsys.denaina/