Module III Cultural History

Why is a study of Alaska Native cultures critical for an understanding of Alaska, past and present?

The study of Alaskan Native culture is important for many reasons.  First, it is simply an interesting topic.  The study of any people leads to many facinating things such as traditional mores, music, dance and religious ceremonies.  However, in Alaska it is important on a deeper level when seeking to appreciate the state.

The indigenious cultures in Alaska are known as the "First People."  This is significant because not only were they the first present but they still hold a significant place in the state today.  One example is the native corprations here in Alaska.  These are powerful political and economic blocks in the state which help the indigenous population from being put into an obscure corner.  The people have learned to use there traditional communal culture in a modern way.

http://www.bbnc.net/



 How do you explain your own cultural identity?

How I explain my own cultural identity is "nomadic."  I am the definition of a modern nomad.  By the time I had reached the age of 10, I had lived in five states and fourteen cities.  Recently I have added Anchorage, Alaska to the belt notches.  This has given me a solidly American sense of identity.  Where many people may consider themselves an Alaskan or a New Yorker, I consider myself tied to no state or city, simply an American.  This entire country has helped formulate the person I am today.  I borrow pieces from everywhere I have lived.  At times this has been diffuclt.  I never know how to exactly answer the question, "where are you from?"  This might be in stark contrast to someone who hasd lived their whole life in Nome, AK.  At times I have used my own ancestry to help feel conected to a time or place.  I have traveled to parts of Spain to see where, at least genetically, I hail from.  

Is there an "Alaskan"culture? How could it be described?

I do believe there is an "Alaskan Culture" but it is formed by three main branches.  The first branch is that of the "First People."  This is the heart of Alaska giving the state a deep sense of tradition, timelessness and art.  The second branch is the other side of "native" Alaska.  This still includes branch one but also these are those folks born and/or raised in Alaska and form the skeleton of the state.  These folks have the frontier spirit and have a sense of rural community culture.   They support the state in its traditional industries such as fishing and take part in it traditional recreation like...fishing!  Finally, you have the people just passing through.  This is the skin of the state.  They are those folks that add their own individual flavor to the state or city but may not be as invested as the first two. 


Source: http://dutchharbordirt.blogspot.com/2011/01/deadliest-catch-update-cornelia-marie.html

Blogs I Visited for Module III:

• http://shayesexplorealaska.blogspot.com/
• http://myalaskanexploration.blogspot.com/2012/02/module-ii-natural-history.html
• http://mycoveandbeyond.blogspot.com/

Module 2 - Natural History

Essential Questions: How Does Knowledge of Natural Systems Relate to the Role of Educators?

The knowledge of natural systems has both direct and indirect roles to educators.  The direct benefit of this knowledge is that it is part of the curriculum when teaching earth/physical sciences or teaching an AK studies course.  For these  teachers, tectonic plate theory is part an parcel of geology and the movement of peoples.

However, this information is of limited value when dealing in the study of modern crime or politics which are my bread and butter.  I have taught small units on plate tectonics as a History teacher.  This is valuable knowledge when giving the whole picture about how people have populated the globe and helping students to understand why certain cultures developed in certain ways.  Having students understand that geography and resource allocation is important in combating Eurocentrict stereotypes as to why some cultures saw technological plateaus.

Examine: How are Tectonic Forces Responsible for Earthquakes and Tsunamis?
Why are they inevitable along the gulf coast of Alaska?

The tectonic plates are moving and forcing energy into the landform and thus creating earthquakes.  There are 7 major plates; which cause the continental sea floor to shift.  The tectonic plates pushe on the landform andcreate mountain ranges; they occur along plate borders. 

Earthquakes and tsunamis are inevitable due to the location of Alaskas gulf coast is in-between the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate. 

Source: http://reocities.com/athens/2231/dfs.html

Evaluate:

This unit was interesting for the sake of getting to know Alaska in a way that my discipline normally neglects.  I have a personal interest in this information.  However, I must admit that it is not directly applicable to the subjects that I teach.  Again, it was still interesting and is information that will lead to appreciating this state in a much deeper way.  Whenever someone looks at the bays, ranges and interior they can now understand the depth of geology and paleolithic history as well as its beauty.

Blog Sites I Visited for Unit II:

• http://alaskacoast.blogspot.com/
• http://investigatealaska.blogspot.com/
• http://explorealaskawithwhitney.blogspot.com/

Module 1 - Place and Pedegogy

Module 1 - Place and Pedegogy -

Essential Question: Why is an Awareness of Place Important?

The question "why is an awareness of place important" is a nebulous question.  "Place" can be a specific geographic location such as a state or mountain range.  "Place" can also refer to place in society or economic tier.  Finally, it can be used in the context of home and beloging. 

For students place has a several layers.  First, place for a student starts as where the recieve their initial instruction in life and where the basics of life are provided.  This understanding of place is important because without this most basic layer learning cannot occur.  No one can consentrate on the vagueries of the American Revolution when food, shelter and safety are not present. 

Once the basics are met place begins to take on other dimesions.  Students are constantly comparing their sense of self with their role in place.  Where students live, go to school and socialize has a large impact on who they chose to be.  Knowing one set of people, in one state, in one city can be comforting and provide a great wealth of knowledge about an individuals sense of place therein but it can also lead to a lack of understanding about other places or an understanding of how one fits into a greater community.  On the other side someone expose to multiple versions of place, many states/cities, schools, may gain a wealth of understanding about many different places but feel connected to none.  This is important in understanding students' place in Alaska.

Essential Question: How Can an Awareness of Place Create  Better Learninig for Alaska's Students?

Alaska is unique in many ways.  It is the largest 'place' in the Union.  There is a population that has made this their place for generations.  Indigenous populations have made this place their home for thousands of years. This is not only a place to live but the foundation to their culture. There is spirituality to this place that goes well beyond owning a home in one of 50 states.  Appreciating and understanding Alaska to this level can be hard for some people when applying cultural mores of a global world.

There is another population that cares to make Alaska their place for as little time as possible or was forced to come to this place.  Many people are simply stationed in this place.  There is little to no connection.  This is especially hard on educators seeking to connect Alaska to a student's life. 

Finally, there is everthing in between.  And this is what makes teaching in Alaska such a unique experience.  An educator must be sensitive to "place" unlike any other place in the United States.  Place must be on the mind of every educator when dealing with each child in all situations.

Evaluation:

Being a History and Government teacher helps and hurts me when it comes to understanding place with students.  I try to instill some level of understanding of what this place means to all of us.  However, the more I try to delve into what it means to be an American, the more I find that there truelly is no one way, no one place to find one value set.  But, that is why the U.S. is so facinating and Alska especially since it seems to be a microcosim for the U.S.  So many people, with so many stories, with so many interests (economic, social, cultural, political).  Since this is my first year teaching in Alaska, this unit has helped me to come to this understanding.   

       

Post 1

Backpacking into Blue Glacier, WA.

My first experience with an ocean of ice.  The immensity of the glacier left me stunned.  The raw immensity of it all was awe inspiring.  I am hoping for even more experiences like this now that I am in the big AK!