Preserving the Culture
Here in Chefornak children are taught in their native language until they reach the third grade. At this point they transition to classes that are spoken entirely in English. The idea is to reenforce the native language and culture so that it does not erode more than it already has. However, the aforementioned plan is undoubtedly causing the Yup'ik children to fall years behind their peers in the lower 48. Thus, the promise of education is not being fulfilled and the traditional language, skills and culture are being lost.
If the village decides to abandon its Yup'ik language curriculum, the children will have a better chance at competing with the rest of the world. However, this option brings with it an even greater likelihood that their culture will be among the others that have been absorbed by the ever expanding and unforgiving monoculture.
Most of us never had to grapple with decisions such as these. Our ancestors made the decision to assimilate long ago. This culture is unique in that the transformation is being presented in such a way so as to provide the community with choice. The decisions they make today will undoubtedly determine whether the villagers of Chefornak will cling to their subsistence mode of living or join the rest of us in the mad dash for cash.
posted by Brian Kruk at 9:23 PM
3 Comments:
Good questions. When it comes to standardized tests even the brightest students barely pass. The cultural differences and the subsequent knowledge derived are drastic. For instance today, my seniors and I were reading about the kyoto protocal, which included words such as industrialized, developed countries, developing countries, premiers, senators, the united nations, statistical analysis, and so on. Each of those words are rather large concepts to grasp and these kids have never heard of any of them, let alone the supporting language to describe them. I spent five minutes explaining the following, "Address key uncertainties about changes in the Earth's system, both natural and human-induced".
The real "go-getters" are encouraged to become teachers. Yup'ik people receive free tuition and are allowed a longer time in which to complete their degrees. I work with one woman who was born and raised in Chefornak, received her teaching degree, and came back. Its a pretty good deal.
For others, I encourage them to persue training in snow-mobile/automotive repair, as it is both a passion and skill.
However, most of the people will end up spending the rest of their lives here.
Oct 11th
Three (count them )little words, for you and all your students.Taken a while for the lortz family to figure this blog stuff out. Dont really know if i have yet. wishing you and us luck.
Take heart in knowing that your dog at home is getting enough beef flavor in his food and that it might be worse in Milwaukee.
When I was in Big Sky country 1976
I was teaching kids whos great grandparents won a battle and lost it all to the white man. much like your students. I flipped out a little (alot)but Toto I found my way home. You will to. Enjoy every moment keep writing take pictures, create friendships, go to Ancorage(sp)tomorrow is only a day AWAY !!!!
Yes Brian I am a product of the public school system and it as very apparent in the gramer and spelling you see befor you.
with all our love
F U J ? aunt LinDA and MISSY
Hopefully you are no longer teaching in the small Yup'ik villages any longer. I would not want any of my children or grandchildren to come into contact with a 'yunrilnguq' (not a true human being) that obviously does not grant leeway to try to understand or respect the tradition or the people (and school children). Why are you still here? Whether you are a 'kassaq' or not, you are disrespectful, obviously a creep, ignoramus! Please go back to your 'own' people and be an ignorant creep amongst your own. Just because you are white and have a college degree (and I know many good and decent folks of such description) does not make you a know-it-all, self acclaimed 'educated' person. You need to go back to school and work on your people skills. I feel sorry for all the kids you teach, and the people of the village which 'have no choice' but to make an effort to accept you into their community. I feel sorry for you. You are just a drop of shit on Route 66 in your own culture and people, a nobody who feels like a god amongst decent, hardworking people!! Go back to where you came from, little shit!!
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