Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated in Alaska
Monday was Indigenous Peoples Day in Alaska, and there were gatherings across the state commemorating and celebrating Alaska Native people.
In Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University held a celebration with food, dancing and cultural activities. Among the speakers at the event were Governor Bill Walker, Anchorage mayor Ethan Berkowitz and state health commissioner Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson. Davidson says it gives her immense pride to see Native people from around the state celebrating their culture and heritage.
“As a Yup’ik person, I think every day is a great day to be Indigenous,” Davidson said. “But on days like today, Indigenous Peoples Day, when we all come together to really celebrate who we ultimately are as people, it’s an especially great day to be Indigenous.”
Preserving Indigenous languages
Recently, Governor Walker issued an order recognizing the danger that Alaska Native languages are in. By some estimates, many Native languages could be extinct by the year 2100. The order works to increase partnerships between government and tribal organizations, integrate Native languages into schools and update public signs to include both English and Indigenous names. Davidson says these steps help preserve Native culture.
“When our children know who they are, when they speak their language and their culture is ingrained in their everyday life, that builds resiliency in children,” Davidson said. “And we have much better outcomes for our children and families when we know exactly who we are as people.”
Speaking out against violence
Several speakers touched on the high rates of violence against Native women, including the recent murder of ten-year-old Ashley Johnson Barr in Kotzebue. In her remarks, Davidson spoke of her own experiences with abuse as a child. She says the high rates of violence against Native women creates a negative stigma about village life.
Despite the sometimes tough subject matter, the overall tone of the celebration was optimistic, complete with food and tribal dancing. Celebrations were also held at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska State Museum in Juneau.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada’s inquiry into violence against Indigenous women focuses on resilience to end hearings in Arctic, CBC News
Finland: Budget cuts threaten international Sámi language cooperation, Yle News
Norway: Injustices against Sámi, Kven peoples to be examined by commission in Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Film exploring racism against Sami wins big at Swedish film awards, Radio Sweden
United States: Indigenous Alaskans find strength in community and tradition, Alaska Public Media
