This week was "Culture Week" for high school students. During this week, community members and elders came into the school to teach students traditional and practical skills. Our regular class schedule was put on hold so that students could complete several projects and have lots of time to interact with the elders. An intensive like this has not happened in the school for a long time, so myself and the other high school teachers didn't quite know what to expect or how to plan. Overall, it was a great success with some wonderful things being made and lots of positive experiences for the elders, students and teachers. This week was absolutely my favorite week of my teaching experience here thus far.
Here are some photos from the week:
The week began with elders talking with students about why their culture, and listening to those who know it, is important. They told some stories about the old ways, gave some advice on what to do if you are lost in the woods and reminded students of Yup'ik values. These values include being welcoming to everyone and helping take care of everyone in the village.
After listening to some stories, the students split into groups of boys and girls. Traditionally, the women and girls do certain jobs and the men and boys do certain jobs. We honored this tradition and spent most of the week in separate groups.
The girls began their week by cutting fabric to make qaspeqs (kuspuks) which are traditional over shirts worn by many Alaska native groups.
The elder women cut the fabric for the qaspeqs from memory, without using any patterns. They instructed the students to watch carefully so they can learn to do the same.
After cutting the fabric, it was time to sew. Some girls hand sewed parts of their qaspeqs, but most used the machines.
Final fittings!
After mostly watching the first day, the girls became confident seamstresses as the week went on.
The girls also spent time beading. Some made jewelry and others beaded designs onto leather, traditionally called skin sewing.
I have done some beading before, but not at the same level of difficulty that my students were capable of. A couple of students very patiently taught me a new bracelet pattern. One of my favorite parts of this week was seeing how proud students were when they were sharing their knowledge with me.
I'm thankful that my mom taught me some basic sewing and beading skills so I could sometimes keep up with the skilled ladies around me. I was able to make a couple pairs of fleece "thank you socks" for the elders. Unlike them, I was very dependent on my paper pattern.
One of my favorite photos from the week. Great grandma and great granddaughter making gifts for each other.
The boys also had a busy and productive week. They made fish traps out of willows, uluaqs (curved blades used for cutting meat), manaqing (ice fishing) sticks and carved spoons and bowls.
Preparing the willows for the fish trap.
Learning how to assemble the trap.
Using modern tools to make traditional bowls.
On our final day, we made moose soup! The moose meat was donated by our principal. The girls used uluaqs to cut the meat and vegetables.
Busy group of ladies finishing projects.
We made huge pot of moose soup. There were still leftovers after the entire high school had some. The rest was given to a family that lost an elder on Tuesday. The man who passed was the Uppa (grandpa) of several of my students. It is a Yup'ik practice that when someone dies, the body stays in the home for a week before the burial. During this week, the village visits and says their goodbyes. The family is not allowed to work, cook or clean during this week so the village brings them food and helps them with chores.
On Friday afternoon, we had an assembly where the high school students shared their hard work with the rest of the school.
The girls looked beautiful in their qaspeqs!
Our assembly ended with Yuraq---Yup'ik dancing and drumming.
It is going to be tough going back to "normal teaching" on Monday, but I'm hoping to incorporate some more activities into my lessons that the elders can help with. They have a very powerful presence when they are in the school. The high school is planning to have more culture intensives in the winter and spring.
Today was the first snow in Tuluksak! Although it will probably melt, it was nice to see. There were lots of kids out trying to sled by the school. I am looking forward to more snow, and the ground freezing so the muddy conditions will be gone for a while.
Snowy school
Birkie is happy it finally snowed too. We had a great sunny and snowy walk.
With the snow, comes the worry that days with running water are possibly ending soon. I have a LOT of water stored, but also have a system ready if I need to melt and filter snow this winter :)
