Native American Pragmatism

The Tlingit people are native to the icy islands of Southeastern Alaska with exceptional skills of fishing and hunting of fish, cod salmon, seal, venison, sometimes bears, and variety of berries. Throughout history, Russian fur traders were sent by Aleksey Chirikov. Then in 1802, began the Battle of Sitka for control over native lands. Foreword to 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. and as Europeans colonized, they killed natives with various diseases. Soon after, logging and mining profited in Alaska.

 Some traditional beliefs of creation of all things that gave everything spirits and control of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and daylight is Kah- shu-gooh- yah. Which prompted deep respect and thanks for the plants and animals that gave them a means to survive. Living near the sea, fish, caught with harpoons, nets, and made bone fishhooks while on canoes. Halibut, herring, cod, and salmon can be cooked in a variety of ways and preserved for colder months. In addition, seal, clams, shellfish, fish eggs, venison, and berries were also eaten. Potlatches are traditional feasts to honor their dead, building houses, and totem pole raising. They gather with neighboring tribes in peace to sing, dance, and give speeches and gifts. 

With a population of 22,000 falling under the umbrella of the Inuit people, the Yup’ik people are located in Southwest Alaska and have roots in the Inuit tribes who occupied Russia (Siberia) and Greenland.

In terms of traditions and beliefs, the Yup’ik people look to Ellam Yua, the Creative Force or Spirit of the Universe. Ellam Yua holds great significance to the Yup’ik people - it is believed that Ellam Yua granted them their ways and rules of life, and has endowed everything - the land, the sea, the animals, and the people - with spirit.

Because of this understood connection between themselves, animals, and nature as spiritual beings, utmost respect is to be given to the various types of food and the respective animals from which it came. Fish collected from the ocean are carried in cases, as to not let them touch the ground out of water; seals that are to be used for food are given water before preparation, as they are water animals and should be treated as such, even in the afterlife. It is through these kinds of traditions that they strengthen their bonds with not only nature, but also with Ellam Yua. Certain animals are regarded as sacred in the eyes of the Yup’ik - animals such as wolves, brown bears, killer whales, raven and others are believed to hold spiritual significance, and as a result, killing them can bring about severe misfortune.

To the Alaskan Native tribes, maintaining this relationship with the natural world is vital for our survival - for the Yup’ik, keeping these bonds with nature gives life greater meaning, and provides us with subsistence. In Native tribes all over the world, learning from the elders is the greater part of sustaining the cultures and philosophical beliefs of the Native. However, this personal connection between us and nature is found to be one of personal experience. Back in the more traditional days of tribe life, this meant going out into nature, learning to hunt and do things for yourself, and making mistakes so that you may learn as much as you can through trial and error.

Citations:

Ainana, Ludmila, et al. “Alaska Native Collections – Sharing Knowledge.” Arctic Studies, alaska.si.edu/culture_ne_siberian.asp?subculture=Yupik (Asiatic Eskimo)&continue=1.

Ayunerak, Paula et al. “Yup'ik culture and context in Southwest Alaska: community member perspectives of tradition, social change, and prevention” American journal of community psychology vol. 54,1-2 (2014): 91-9.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Yupik.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 July 2016, www.britannica.com/topic/Yupik.

https://thetlingitpeople.weebly.com/religion-and-traditions.html 

Quiz Questions:

1. What was the name of the battle fought by Russia and the Tlingit?

2. What were the traditional feasts known as?

3. What is Ellam Yua?

4. Name three animals that held significance to the Tlingit and/or the Yup’ik people.

5. For the Yup’ik, maintaining our relationship with the world around us provides us with what? 

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of the concept of all life on Earth having a deeper, spiritual connection (People, animals, land, etc.)?
2. Do you believe, personally, that you have discovered this deeper understanding of the natural world? If not, would you like to?
3. What do you believe is something to take away from the philosophies or beliefs of Indigenous people?