More than 1,300 Alaska Natives from dozens of villages gathered in Anchorage for the three-day Elders and Youth Conference that ended today, an annual event that seeks to ground Native youth in traditional culture as they look toward the future.
The theme of this year's conference at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center was "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Preparing for the Future."
The three keynote speakers at the event all focused on one part of that theme.
Elder Elaine Abraham, the first Tlingit nurse who's now chair of the Alaska Native Science Commission, talked about preparing for the future. Small in stature but blessed with an attention-getting voice, Abraham implored the audience to revive the use of Native names. Those names connect to landmarks, loved ones, and, through naming practices that unite all Native cultures, provide a spiritual link to past bearers of a name. Taking pride in your name leads to pride in culture and pride in family, traits that can help anyone feel grounded throughout life, Abraham said.
Another keynote speech by Inupiaq John Baker of Kotzebue on celebrating the present focused on staying true to your dreams, a value that last year helped Baker become the first Native to win the Iditarod in 35 years. He gave a short speech, answered questions, and then signed autographs for two hours.
"It was totally, completely inspiring," said Denise Morris, president of First Alaskans Institute. Morris' highlight came when Baker was asked to name his role model.
"He said his mother," Morris said.
The youngest keynote speaker, Adele Argaitchiaq Solski, an Inupiaq with a tatooed chin, spoke about honoring the past. Solski, a senior at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, said strong connections to her culture strengthened her emotionally.
Hosted annually by First Alaskans Institute as a precursor to the larger Alaska Federation of Natives Convention that runs Thursday through Saturday, the Elders and Youth Conference featured messages promoting good health, including about the dangers of tobacco use, and workshops on topics such as culture, language and Native law.
The agenda included showings of Winter Bear, a play about former Game Board chair and author Sidney Huntington, and discussions after keynote speeches based on the qasgiq, the traditional sod house where young boys were educated by their male elders. Discussions followed each keynote speech and, following the qasgiq model, young men and women separated into different rooms to talk with their elders.
The Alaska Federation of Natives is expected to draw more than 4,000 delegates to the Dena'ina Center. The annual event that helps set the yearly agenda for the state's most active Native political organization.
Contact Alex DeMarban at alex(at)alaskadispatch.com
Alaska Dispatch Publishing