Letter to the Editor
Native camp
Published Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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To the editor:
This is a feedback to “Needed men role models” and “Obama” (Letters, Aug. 24, 2008).
Just back from Arctic Village, Alaska, on Friday — the northernmost Indian village of the “Venetie Indian Sovereignty Nation 1998.” Attending as former tribal officials of VISN and part Native American men role models, this event of youth and leadership retreat with entertainment — historical skin drumming and guitars, dancingwiththespirit.org (DWTS), Episcopal churches, the camps at Dachan L’ee mountain and freshwater glacier camps — was a healthy antidote for the rural children to a new start of this year’s school goals.
This “One on One” conference was a success because of role models like reverend and Arctic village traditional chief Trimble and his wife Mary Gilbert; community liaison Joanne Ahlfs; Arctic village school principal Mary and her husband Todd Groat; former Arctic village chief Evon Peter; VISN-tribal chief Julian Roberts; myself as a retired military and former tribal judge; VISN-tribal liaison Mildred Peter and all the new teachers, who attended and made this event possible.
We brought legitimate ways to respect our great creator — God: Keep tribal land clean, respect tribal and federal fish/wildlife laws, survival on the land with limited tools and clothing, federal tribal history, future tribal criminal laws of the land, clean water acts, tribal responsibilities in the future for common good of all Alaskans.
Teaching away from the village on the VISN sacred hunting sites is the key to getting the children’s attention. The elders in the village were very honored we came and brought great wisdom to their children. Each student learned how to build an emergency camp fire and shelters, fire prevention and emergency survival techniques. They then cooked hot dogs and marshmallows at the campfire and sang traditional skin drum stories. Mentoring schoolchildren’s tribal survival knowledge and modern science was a great skill passed to the next generation. These great efforts exercised by Alaska Natives/Native Americans must be honored by the next United States president as token of a new start to treaties or promise given under the United States Constitution — the law of the land.
Gwaa zyaa!
Community Discussion
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I learned that when I was a kid. The opportunities are there. Enroll your kids in 4-H or scouts and stop complaining. Excellent letter, Mr Peter.
lol, what is it too "dangerous" to know survival skills?
Would you rather let your kids freeze to death?
There have been many of these type of camps for children through out the state, and who utilizes adults in teaching these things. These camps are great ways for adults and children to learn to respect each other and the ways of the lands/people while having fun. I applaud those who continue to provide these camps.....keep them going....
The spirit and teaching taking place in these camps need to be part of the child's everyday life.
Really? Venetie Indian Sovereignty Nation 1998? Is that in Alaska? I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. I'll see your "Gwaa zyaa," and raise you a "Have a nice day."
moondoggie, Venetie is one of two federally recognized reservations in Alaska. Look it up if you want to know what that means.
Great letter. I really appreciate the letters that are showing up from the Natives. Good luck this year kids.
Maybe some "mentoring" should take place in Point Hope?
Ignorance of native people in Alaska in no excuse! I agree that these types of camps, workshops and groups should be offered to all children and youths. Color, gender, and status should not be a factor in these opportunities.
Great Job. I agree, I like the Native people stepping up and talking about what they feel is important and how they would like to teach their children. I find it amusing whenever I see an article about native sovereignty and natives taking charge of their lives, like the one about the buffalo's, Obama Listens, and this one. You will always find a tinge of hate as a few try to take a good stab at the people who are trying to survive and teach there young to survive. I would guess these are people who were raised in front of a tv, because all hey are good at is wise cracks and they take everything for granted. JoeBTFSplk, LostAlaskan99712 and moondoggie, all you are good at is laughing at the good honest hard efforts of others. And you think you are so cleaver, sending wise cracks at peoples effort and laughing, like you are so cool and great. You probably don't even know what work is. You'll probably be asking for hand outs from hard workers, with that attitude, one day. Whenever I see any article that speaks of Natives in Alaska, you could expect a lot of comments, as people try to hate on them or support them. I'm a supported, clearly.
Wow! that's awesome. i wish we could get a gathering together like this for our area. It does my heart good to know that despite the nay sayers of this world, the native people still prevail and thrive. Good job and God bless you as you continue keeping the culture, spirit and tradition strong!
My only comment is that I wish gatherings like these were more open to the public. Cultural education is important and should be shared. I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd be very interested in learning traditional methods of native life.
I applaud the initiative of keeping traditions alive and passing them on to the next generation.
Lost must have been responding to a different article I don't see any connection between his comments and this letter.
Pete
Great letter.
I know that if there are non Native youth in the village - that were interested, they were probably included. The letter states 'rural youth'.
To those who would like to participate, I would suggest you contact these village councils and ask. From experience, they are more than willing to share their knowledge of their culture and traditions with others. In the interior they welcome a chance to show you, just ask. These camps are not usually just for natives, but all. Now if it is somehow linked to funding that is geared towards natives, than it would be open to natives first. However, I know that room is usually made.
Pete- you rock! But we had that discussion before! I am so proud of all the Alaska Natives and Native Americans that are showing a resurgance of pride and are keeping traditions alive!
I really beleive that a great amount of the things spoken about in the article are important. Also, for those wishing to learn there are many around who are willing to share quite a bit of this knowledge- not just to Natives but to anyone who wants to know. Most Natives I know are willing to share a great deal of their knowledge- just ask!
Again Kudo's to those who are setting up postitive ways for our youth to model!
It is actually refreshing to see people begin to rebuttal the negative, lack of any understanding of Alaskan Native history, heritage or life style comments that generally appear when an article focuses on a Alaskan Native issue.
The reason no one rebutted this letter is the way in which it was written.
Thanks for a great & uplifting letter to the editor.
I agree that it would be nice if the camps were open to other races also - what better way to end the ignorance of the native culture. I think that it would be positive for some of the trained youngsters to be paired up with caucasian kids. It would give them a sense of accomplishment to show their skills to their peers.
My teenage friends were mostly from a village when I was growing up. Although I did not learn much about the culture from them, I learned from their parents and grandparents. They always had good stories to share, smoked salmon & Indian bread.
aksunshine is right, there is always room for everybody in these camps, they take kids who are from the village first and sometimes kids from other towns, but not based on race. Maybe they could make more of these camps that even kids from Fairbanks could go to. The reason kids from Fairbanks aren't sent to these camps as often is because it's not good to send too many kids to one camp, than they can't keep an eye on them.
Check out: dancingwiththespirit.org
These camps are open to all races. Many villages have non-native
students and still the tribal governments, churches and schools
conduct these camps to create good christians, providers and good leadership in their villages.
I lived in Venetie for a time 20 years ago and remember them talking of this I'm glad that thay made this come true ! that letter brought pride and joy to my heart !
J . T .
moondoggie.....your racist side is showing!
Outstanding letter and continue the good work of Howard Luke and others who have made all the difference in the lives of Alaska's youth!
I just attended the graduation ceremony at Graf Healing Place. They're doing a great job helping teenagers battling addictions. There were big smiles of hope everywhere - hope for a new start in life. There was a large crowd of supporters in attendance, including many elders. It was all very positive and encouraging.
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