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:
No comments:
Post a Comment