Anchorage Daily News

People of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are mourning the loss of one of their most respected elders, 96-year-old Joshua "Maqista" Phillip. He died July 30, 2008, at Providence Extended Care Center in Anchorage.

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Joshua "Maqista" Phillip

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A memorial service was held Monday at the Akiachak Moravian Church. Bishop Jacob Nelson officiated. Pallbearers were Joshua's grandchildren, Eric, Ernest, Richard and Jeffery Phillip, and Jonathan and Joel Owens.

Joshua was born Jan. 1, 1912, in Akiachak, to Phillip Anglluralria from Iquk (Russian Mission) and Anna (Jackson) from Kwethluk. As a young man, Joshua and his father were reindeer herders near Kwethluk. Every year, they were awarded a male and female reindeer; in time, their herd grew to more than 300. Being a long-distance runner, Joshua was responsible for tracking down stray reindeer.

During World War II, Joshua served in the Alaska Territorial Guard. For many years, he worked up and down the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers as a carpenter for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. During the summers, he often fished commercially in Bristol Bay. In winter, he'd hunt and trap, trading pelts for store-bought items.

Wassili Anguyagpak, Joshua's grandfather, was one of the first lay pastors at the Akiachak Moravian Church. Joshua's father served as a lay pastor in Qinaq, an abandoned village near Tuntutuliak, and also served at Nanvarnarrlak, an abandoned village near Nunapitchuk. Although he never had formal Bible training or attended any school, Joshua served as a lay pastor with the Moravian Church in Akiak from 1969 to 1973 and at Tuluksak from 1973 to 1982.

His daughter, Sarah Owens, is now a Moravian reverend serving in Tuluksak. His son, Willie, recently became a lay pastor and will serve Goodnews Bay.

Joshua was a traditional counselor, helping many people lead healthier and more productive lives. When he settled in Akiachak, he assisted the Yupiit School District as an elder in the classroom, providing oral histories drawn from the unique experiences of his long life.

In 1988, Joshua helped the federal government by identifying more than 350 place names in the vicinity of Akiachak, Akiak and Tuluksak. He also drew from memory a map of historic sites along the Elaayuq River near the Kuskokwim.

Joshua was known as "the walking encyclopedia of Yup'ik culture." He could predict weather changes by observing cloud formations and the rising and setting of the sun. He could even forecast weather by watching steam vapors rise from a cup of coffee in the morning. Joshua knew many traditional medicines used by his Yup'ik ancestors and healed people afflicted by everything from a common cold to cancer, his family wrote.

Throughout his life, Joshua actively fought to protect the language, lands, traditions and way of life of the Yup'ik people. He once served as chairman of the Yupiit Nation.

The Yupiit School District has published "Maqista "Ellangutemta Qanruyutait," which translates to "Memoirs of Traditional Yup'ik Values."

His family wrote: "Joshua 'Maqista' Phillip will be missed by his many children, grandchildren, friends and relatives up and down the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers."

Joshua is survived by his wife, Agnes, and children and spouses, Eddie and Bertha Phillip of Akiachak, Paul Phillip of Bethel, and Anna and Art Davidson of Anchorage, Sarah and Johnny Owens of Tuluksak; Willie and Hannah Phillip of Tuluksak, David Phillip of Tuluksak, and Sophie and Sam Paul of Kipnuk; daughter-in-law, Bessie Phillip of Tuluksak; stepchildren, Rose and Frank Schneider, Joe and Anne Charles, Robert and Katie Charles, Ickeley and Elena Charles, David and Mary Charles, Pat and Alyssa Charles, Laura and Darren George, and Joette Charles, all of Akiachak; 27 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 40 stepgrandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.

Joshua was preceded in death by his first wife, Carrie Agak'aq (Lomack) of Akiachak; second wife, Emma Cungauyar (Paul) of Kwigillingok; sisters, Sophie Iingicaq Manutulie and Lucy Agak'aq Marayalleq (Noatak) George; brothers, Wassillie Naguaq and Jacob Aparuk Phillip; and children, Golga, Anna, Elnathan, Jacob, Louie, Carrie and Joseph Phillip.

To continue the life work of one of Alaska's most respected elders, the Maqista Education Fund has been established to help children on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Donations can be sent to The Maqista Fund, 2200 Seward Highway, Anchorage 99503.

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