There are six
different native groups
that call Alaska home. They are the Inupiaq, Tlinget,
Yupiik, Aleut, Aleutiiq and Athbaskans. As we work with them it
is important to understand their values and honor
those values.
Inupiaq
Avoidance of Conflict:
Paaqtakautainniq
The Inupiaq way is to think positive,
act positive, speak positive and live positive.
Humillty:Qinuinnq
Our hearts command we act on goodness
and expect no reward in return. This is part of our cultural fiber.
Spirituality: Ukpiqqutiqagnia
We know the power of prayer.
We are
spiritual people.
Cooperation:Paammaagigniq
Together we have an awesome power to
accomplish anything.
Compassion:
Naglikuutiqagnip
Through the environment is
harsh and
cold, our ancestors learned to live with warmth, kindness, caring and
compassion.
Hunting
Traditions: Anguniallaniq
Reverence for the land, sea and animals
is the foundation of our hunting traditions.
Knowledge of
Language: Inupiuraallaniq
With our language we have an
identity.
It helps us to find out who we are in our minds and hearts.
Sharing:
Aviktuaqatigiigniq
It is amazing how sharing
works. Your
acts of giving always come back.
Family and
Kinship:Ilagiigniq
As Inupiaq people we believe in knowing
who we are and how we are related to one another.
Humor:
Quvianguniq
Indeed, laughter is the best
medicine.
Respect
for
Elders
and
One
Another:
Piqpakkutiqaniq
Suli
qilsiksrautiqagniq
utuqqpanaanun
allannullu
Our elders model our traditions and ways of being, providing a light of
hope to
younger generations. May we teach as our elders have taught us.
Respect for Nature:
Qiksiksrautiqagnig Inuunigvigumun
Our creator gave us the gift
of our surroundings.
Those before us placed ultimate importance of respecting this
magnificent gift
for future generations.
The attached values comes from the website of
Tikigaq Corporation, but they apply across the North Slope region.
Athabascan Cultural Values
* Self sufficiency
* Hard
Work
* Care
and
provision
for
the
family
* Family
relations
* Unity
* Honor
* Honesty
* Fairness
* Love for children
* Sharing
* Caring
* Village Cooperation
* Responsibility to Village
* Respect for Elders and Others
* Respect for Knowledge
* Wisdom from Life
Experiences
* Respect for the Land
* Respect for Nature
Practice of Traditions
Honoring Ancestors
Spirituality
Authorized by Cathi Ipalook Cultural Program Director, Denakkanaaga
- Taken from Traditional Values of Alaska, Association of
Alaska School Boards 2005
Kodiak
Alutiiq
Cultural
Values
We are the descendants of the Sugpiak, the Real People.
Understanding our environment and events that have have shaped our
lives and created the culture of our ancestors is vital for our
children's cultural survival.
The history of our People and our place in the world is a part of who
we are today. Kodiak Alutiit must learn and pass on to younger
generations our understanding of our natural world: the sky, land,
water and the
animals. As we meet the challenge of living in the 21st century, we
must continue to live in honor of those things we value:
* Our Elders
* Our heritage language
* Family
and the
kinship of our ancestors and living relatives
* Ties to our homeland
* A subsistence lifestyle,
respectful of
and sustained by the natural world
* Traditional arts, skills and
ingenuity
* Faith and a spiritual life,
from
ancestral beliefs to the diverse faiths of today
* Sharing: we welcome everyone
* Sense of humor
* Learning by doing, observing
and
listening
* Stewardship of the animals,
land, sky
and waters
* Trust
* Our people: we are
responsible for
each other and ourselves
* Respect for self, others and
our
environment is inherent in all of these values.
Authorized by Teri Schneider, Coordinator for
Native Educators of the Alutiiq Region, Kodiak - Taken from Traditional
Values of Alaska,
Association of Alaska School Boards 2005
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TLINGIT
VALUES
Dr. Walter (who is 100 years old) his thoughts on Native
values. Values influence a person's view of the world and guide
actions.
Respect
For self and others, including
elders
Remember
Our Native traditions, our
families, sharing, loyalty, pride, and loving children.
Responsibility
Truth
and wise use of words
Care
of subsistence areas, care of
property
Reverence
"We have one great word in our
culture: haa shageinyaa. This was a Great Spirit above us, and today we
have translated that reverence to God."
Sense of humility
Care of human body
Dignity
The Tlingit word for dignity is
yan gaa duuneek.
Peace
Peace with the family, peace with the neighbors, peace with the others, and peace with the world of Nature
2."Our Way of Life"
* Discipline and Obedience to the Traditions of our Ancestors
* Respect for Self, Elders and
Others
* Respect for Nature and
Property
* Patience
* Pride in Family, Clan and
Traditions is found in Love, Loyalty and
Generosity
* Be Stong in Mind, Body and
Spirit
* Humor
* Hold Each Other Up
* Listen Well and with Respect
* Speak with Care
* We are Stewards of the Air,
Land and Sea
* Reverance for Our Creator
* Live in Peace and Harmony
* Be Strong and Have Courage
Authorized Edward K. Thomas, President of Central Council Tlinget and
Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska - Taken from Traditional Values of
Alaska, Association of Alaska School Boards 2005
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*
Udigdada. E /Udigida. W / Share
* Tutada. E & W/ Listen
* Txin anguyni{ta}ulux. E /
Txin
manitalagada. W / Don't be boastful.
* Agitaasitxin i{amnaasada. E
/An}a}inas i{amanaasada. W / Be kind
to other people.
* Agitaasiin sismida. E / An}a}inas kiduda. W / Help others.
* Tuman tana{ agliisaa{tan. E
/ Tana{ agliisada. W / Take care of
the land.
* Tuman ala}u{ agliisaa{tan.
E / A}aju{ agliisada. W / Take care
of the sea and ocean.
* Tuman taanga{ agliisaa{txin. E
/ Taanga{ haqayaasada.
W / Take care of the water.
* Manachin ilam axtalakan
agliisaachin. E / Ana}is mal agumis ilam
axtalagada. W / Do not do anything to
excess.
* Txin ugutada. E / Qa}atada. W/
Be happy.
* l}ayuu{txin, ana}im atxa}ingin agachan madada. E / Txin
sakaa}atal ana}is mada. W / Behave
yourself : Do the things you know are right.
* chxadalagaa{txin. E /
Chxalagada. W/
Don't Steal.
*Adluuda}i}ulux E / Adalulagada. W / Don't lie.
* Ludakiim axtax samtaaxtin. E / Ludaa}is, tukus ama uchiitilas
sahnga{tada. W / Respect Elders
(including parents, teachers, & community members).
* Agitaasiin samtasaa{txin. E /Agitaadaan sahnga{tada. W / Respect your peers.
* Kayutuu{txin. E / Kayutuda. W / Be Strong.
* Agitaasiin matanangin imin gidu}iisalagaa{txin. E / Silaa
txin gikuun alagada. W / Don't be
envious of what belongs to another.
*An}a}i{ i{amana{i{talix kayux i{amana{ atxa{talix manaa imin
ugutaasalix aa{txin. E / An}a}ina{ i}amanas manaa ngaan hi{tada. W / Admire one who does well by honest means.
* Maamin
i{tanatxin madada. E / Ana}is maamis hi{taqaan aguun mada. W / Don't
make
promises quickly, but keep
those you make.
* An}a}iisanatxin an}a}im
agitaasingin agachan liidalix an}a}iisada. E / Matal an}a}iikaan agacha
an}a}isada. W / Live like you want
people to see you see.
* Igilnaa{na{txin. E / Qaqatulagada. W / Don't be greedy.
* Sla{, a}ada{, tugida{, kayux sdan tunum manginulux
kugan
i}ad}ulux. E / Sla{, a}adgi{, ama sdas hadangiin i}amana{ agacha
tunu{taasada. W / Don't talk bad
about the weather or the sun, the moon, or the stars.
* Agitaasaan adaan tunum
i{amnanginulux i}ad}ulux. E / An}a}ina{ adalus hadaan hil}ada}ulax. W /
Don't slander another person.
* Kadaan axtaa}ana{txin. E /
Kadamis agalagada. W / Don't get
ahead of yourself.
* Adu{tanaan akidada. E /
Adut akida. W / Pay your debts.
* Qaqamii}u{. E / Qaqamii}u{. W / Subsistence
* Tunuun ugunu{talakan an}a}ii{txin. E / Unangam Tunuu
ugunu{talagada.W / Don't forget your
Unangan Language.
Yupik
The Yupik section of values is broken into three section: Saint
Lawrence Island Yupik, Cupik and Bistol Bay.
Saint Lawrence Island Yupik Values:
* Listen with your heart and mind
* Honor family
* Give service to others
* Never give up
* Respect all living things
* Remember advice of elders
* Plan for the future
* Be independent
* Aviod laziness
* Gather knowledge and wisdom
Approved by Anders Apassingok Sr. a Gambell Elder - Taken from
Traditional Values of Alaska, Association of
Alaska School Boards 2005
Cupik Values
* Help other people
* Help with family chores and
needs
* Early to bed early to rise
* Provide time to see how your
life is going
* There's always time to play
AFTER your work is done
* Pingnatugyaraq: learn to do
things yourself
* Respect and honor your elders
* Always show good behavior
* Listen to all the advice
given to you
* Remember what you are taught
and told
* Respect other people's
belongings
* Respect the animals you catch
for food
* Gather knowledge and wisdom
from the elders
* Never give up trying to do
what you set your mind on
Authorized by John Pingayaq, Cultural Hertiage Program Director/
Teacher, Kashunamiut School Distrect, Shevak - Taken from
Traditional Values of Alaska, Association of
Alaska School Boards 2005
Bristol Bay Yupik Values
* Have respect for our land and
resources at all time
* Be helpful to one another
* Share with others whenever
possible
* Repect
and care for other's property
* Respect spiritual values
* Learn hunting and outdoor
survival skills
* Provide for and take good
care of your family
* Through love, respect your
children
* Respect your elders
* Work hard and don't be lazy
* Refrain from alcohol and drug
use
* Learn perserve and be proud
of the Native way of life
Approved by Esther Ilutsik, Ciulistet Research Association