Module III - Cultural History

Essential Question:  What is culture?  How can we define it?

The definition given in this module states that culture is "all the life-ways of a group of people, as they identify themselves."  To me, this provides a working framework from which to begin an examination of culture.  It is not too complicated, yet it does not oversimplify the complex nature of culture.

The following illustration depicts just how overt and covert an examination of culture can be.  It also shows the wide ranging  aspects that can to be included in the description of a particular culture.

Examination of Culture

Also, to begin to understand and appreciate another culture, there must be an element of self reflection.

Perspective on Culture

Examine Question:  How does the author connect the culture and the space, the people and the place?

Indigenous Storytelling

This question deals with Paul Ongtooguk's essays Building a Context for Stories and Traditions and Dynamic Subsistence Societies.  In both of these articles, he demonstrates how cultures are interwoven with people, place and things.  He explains that as part of the culture, information essential to a people, for their livelihood and well being is shared and passed on through dance and storytelling.  He also infuses traditions.  The utilization of traditional dress, foods, and customs not only teach the younger members of the community, they actually set the stage for the lessons themselves.                                                                                                                 

Suurimmaanitchuat Eskimo Dance Group



A Yup’ik elder from Scammon Bay, Alaska tells traditional stories to students during a visit to a local school. Storytelling is an important part of Yup’ik culture used to connect young and old. The fireball story is part of this rich oral tradition. Photo: Katrin Simon

The author also discusses the importance of place geographically and the impact that has on trade.  Items obtained locally were traded for items that were either scarce or nonexistent.  This also included advances in technology that either made the acquisition of these items easier or produced additional items.

A Yup’ik hunter in a kayak, ready to throw a dart using a throwing board. He wears a hunting hat and gut parka. His equipment also includes a boat sled (rear), paddles, and a float board (front) holding additional line attached to the dart. Nunivak Island, southwest Alaska, c1928.  Photo by Edward S. Curtis, courtesy of the Library of Congress

Extend Question:  Have you had personal experiences in Alaska for which culture (in its various manifestations) has been a factor?  Describe and explain.

I work at two schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.  Each school is as different as night and day.  Skyview High School is on the outskirts of Soldotna.  A town with its accompanying collection of fast food joints, plethora of businesses, and hodgepodge of other "city" offerings.  Ninilchik school is right in the heart of Ninilchik, which is right in the middle of a wide spot in the road.  Here, at this K-12 school, it is a common activity for a high school student to stop and ask an elementary student how his or her day is going.

One thing that these two schools have in common is Native Youth Leaders.  I have worked with students at both schools that are members of Native Youth Leaders.  It has been interesting to see the variety of activities that this organization provides for native youth.  The following pictures are from a trip that students from our school district took to Juneau last year.

Members of the Native Youth Leaders Council from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District meet with Gov. Sean and Sandy Parnell at the Governor's Mansion in Juneau, as part of the Close-Up program in February.

Members of the Native Youth Leaders Council from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District meet with Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, during a visit to the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, as part of the Close-Up program in February.

Ggugguyni Native Youth Olympics

Another activity that the Native Youth Leaders are involved with is the Native Youth Olympics.  This event is held locally in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games each year here in Soldotna.







Three Blog Reviews:


Evaluate:

Just as in the last module, I learned a lot and found myself lost in a myriad of information about cultures.  Probably the most important part of this module was the time I spent  reflecting on my own thoughts about culture.  (I would assume that this is a big reason why newcomers to Alaska take a course like this.  Not just because it is required, but that it is necessary to help understand and appreciate the cultures that make up Alaska.)  I have to admit that I did have a few "aha" moments.

Module II - Natural History Introduction

Essential Question:  How does digital information change our understanding of natural systems?

This module could easily have been named:  "Earth Science:  The Short Course" with the amount and variety of subjects that it spanned.  This further indicates the vast array of diversity that Alaska offers and that diversity is reflected in how it all fits together.

I wonder how much time the average commuter in southern California takes each day to reflect on the size of the carbon footprint being created each time the SUV roars to life and begins its journey to the workplace.  In addition, I wonder if this same individual ponders the affect of his or her greenhouse gas contribution on what is happening to arctic temperatures.  No, I'm not an environmental activist, I am just trying to illustrate how things that occur in one area have an impact on something entirely different in another location, either relatively close by or across the globe.  Analysis of these events is done through the use of digital information that flows from point A to Point B, literally at the speed of light.

The above photography illustrates how time and space shrink through the use of digital information.  Information that used to take years to gather, formulate, and then distribute is now done in a fraction of the time.  As James Earl Jones states in the video Earth as a System, "Spacecraft and satellites that image earth have forever changed our view of the planet."  Also, "back in the day", an event such as an earthquake in Alaska might never have been known by someone in Northwest Wyoming let alone how it impacted his or her world.  However, in our digital age, we can process data relatively quickly to see how Yellowstone geysers are impacted by an Alaskan quake.

Examine Question:  Relative Locations vs. Absolute Locations

Where on Earth is Alaska?

Alaska from Space. Orthographic projection.

Looking at the diagram on the left, it is easy to see where General Billy Mitchell in the 1930's came up with the idea that Alaska is at the center of the earth.  The red dots representing major trade cities are roughly equidistant from Alaska.  Alaska is also found in the Northern, Eastern and Western Hemispheres.  When Alex Trebek reads the answer "The most north, west, and east state in the union" the only question can be "What is Alaska?"

Satellite Image of Alaska - geology.com

What are the physical dimensions of Alaska?

Alaska's Dimensions in Perspective

What are the furthest points East, West, North and South?

Google Earth Map with Alaska's most Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Points

Extend Question:  In Google Earth, try placing a yellow pin at each landscape you visit.  Try taking a screen shot and using it in a post.

Google Earth Map of Cook Inlet & Soldotna Area of Kenai Peninsula

Three Blog Reviews:

Peter's Alaska Blog
It was well written with many local examples to illustrate ideas and topics.  Pictures and links were nicely used also.

Crossing Alaska
I enjoyed reading about Kristi's development and usage of connections to local resources.  I related to the point that each generation has it's own technological toys and that we can either fight them or incorporate them into the learning environment.

Diane is Exploring Alaska
I could relate to Diane's concept of Place in relation to the internet.  It is so expansive and encompassing that it is hard to see it in terms of Place.  I have also had experiences in which the locals offerred their knowledge in helping out a newcomer.

Evaluate:
This was an interesting topic to me. I was easily sidetracked in my research.  One of the subjects that distracted me was the local history of Southcentral Alaska.   Around here, exploitation was the name of the game. In Kenai, at the height of the fur trade in the area, over 10,000 beaver skins were traded in one year and in Kasilof, at Alaska's first salmon cannery, 20,000 fish were caught in one day. Only king and sockeye were canned, all the coho, pink, and chum were wasted.  This fits in with this lesson because the those involved with what we would call a travesty, looked at what they were doing through a microscope.  They did not have, or maybe did not want, a global picture and did not see how what they were doing impacted the local native Alaskan population or various aspects of the environment.

Module I - Place & Pedagogy

Essential Question:  Why is an awareness of Place important?

I had heard a lot about the size of the mosquitoes in Alaska and never gave it much thought until I actually came here.  To me, mosquitoes helped defined Alaska as a place, along with the wildlife, scenic beauty, and sense of isolation; a real feeling of wildness.  Fortunately, the Kenai Peninsula is relatively mosquito free.  However, it still exemplifies the other qualities well. 

The other day, I looked out the window from my office and watched a moose wandering from bush to bush nibbling on browse.  Just yesterday as I was leaving the school to begin my weekend, I was spellbound as I looked up and counted ten bald eagles perched high in the trees behind the building.  Also, unfortunately, a brown bear was killed this fall while attempting to take up residence in a neighborhood in the middle of town not far from where I live.  At any other Place that I have called home, any of these events would be extremely noteworthy.  But not here, its just another day in Alaska.

Place also deals with an element of belonging.  One of the things I am really pleased with about Skyview High School is the high degree of acceptance that the students exhibit.  It is not uncommon to see a wide variety of hair colors and fashion statements walking the halls each day.  One particular group of students even express themselves through the use of face paint.  A couple of these students even wear wings on a regular basis.  From what I understand, things have been this way for years.  To me, this is essential to what Place is all about.  One must have a feeling of belonging at his or Place.

Examine Question:  How are newcomers or outsiders regarded in your community?

Do you think that this question may have something to do with who you are and what you are doing? If I were a dog owner or a cyclist (especially between the hours of 1:30am and 3:30am), I might not feel too welcome until I realize that behind the dog sign is a school yard and the park is really too small to ride a bike in and it is usually full of small children.

However, according to the pictures of the guides furnished by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, move-ins and visitors are welcomed with open arms. Much of the local economy is dependent on tourism and recreation. Without the dollars that come into the area during the summer fishing months, I am sure things would be a lot different around here.
From the standpoint of a newcomer to the peninsula, my wife, Iris commented on how friendly the people were with whom she came into contact with in the few days that she was here.  Also, I had been amazed to find out the number of people who moved here and then were joined by family members and even extended family members.











Extend:  What are the population dynamics in your community?
 
According to the US Census, the latest figures show that the population of Soldotna is 4,266.  Of that, 80.7% are Caucasian, 8.3% American Indian & Alaska Native, 5.1% Hispanic, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% Other, and 4.8% are listed as Two or More Races.  Accordingly, Skyview High School's enrollment numbers reflect those of the community as a whole with one exception.  Skyview has an African American population of 0.56%.

Evaluate

This assignment caused a lot of self-reflection.  As someone who recently moved to a new, far away land, I remembered before I moved here wondering if I could assimilate into a new life.   I pondered if I could adjust to a new community with different values, attitudes, and ways of being that I may not have been accustomed to.  So far, so good.  Only time will tell, especially in my associations with those of different cultures and backgrounds.  I also hope that I may honor and respect what they have to offer.

My Favorite Place

Gary and Iris in front of Mt Redoubt - S. Wertz

I worked in Alaska for two summers at a salmon cannery, bringing with me four of my sons.  During the first summer, I spent most of my time at a fish camp receiving, preparing, and transporting salmon back to the cannery.  Each day I would look across Cook Inlet at Mt. Redoubt and wish that my wife, Iris, could see what I was viewing.

Even though my youngest son, Scott, and I made the move to Alaska in August, Iris had to remain in Idaho to tend to business there, such as attempting to sell our house.  She was able to come for a visit during Thanksgiving and that is when we took this picture with Mt. Redoubt in the background.  It was around zero degrees at the time and I thought she might freeze but she is a real trooper and loves adventure as much as I do.  In short, my sense of place is more about being with my best friend and the love of my life than it is about a place on the map.