Alaska Reflections

Module VII-American Period: Society

How have the ways Alaskans have devised education and health care systems been both a reflection social-cultural norms of the dominant culture as well as a response to the challenges of providing services in a vast geographic area?

Treadwell School, Douglas Island, Alaska 1915
http://vilda.alaska.edu/u?/cdmg21,14756

The provision of education and health care in Alaska are closely related. Health care and education in Alaska's history was introduced with Western ideals but evolved as government became more formalized and local control was increased.  Religious missionaries played a key role in early education and health care efforts.   The state was divided up by Christian Missions and specific churches dominated regions, such as the Presbyterians in the Arctic and Southeast Alaska, and the Catholic Church in the lower and middle Yukon River areas.  Schools were also set up by companies in developing centers such as mining towns.  The geography of Alaska began with service provided primarily in population centers with available transportation and supplies, initially through the military. 

Medicine Man with Sick Woman
Vilda ASL-P208-107

The relationship between health and education was formalized in the early 1900's as the Bureau of Education was charged with improving rural health care, which included the building of Alaska Native Hospitals. Epidemics of influenza and tuberculosis swept though Alaska and killed or caused physical harm to large numbers of Alaskans.  These diseases decimated the Native population.  Cross cultural contacts to provide western medicine to Alaska Native meant understanding their belief system of disease as spiritual and shamanistic healing practices.  Isolation and quarantine centers became important to prevent the spread of disease.  Native Alaskans were removed again from their culture and land.  

A nurse on the vessel Hygiene explains tuberculosis. 
Vilda  ASL-143-0283

The US Public Health Service took over in the 1950's extending care and access to immunizations to rural residents by pubic health care nurses.  Care across vast areas of Alaska is weather dependent and transportation costs are high.  Health care expanded with the public health service nurses establishing care in more remote areas.  Early health care efforts surrounded providing care for the diseases introduced to the Native populations that had no immunity, including  influenza and tuberculosis. The government supplied many of the early public services including medical care and education with public building projects.  In 1905,  Congress created the Alaska Fund which designated license fees to be collected from non-incorporated towns.  25% of these collected funds were designated for schools, and 5% were to go towards treatment of the mentally ill.  Funding sources for education increased as Alaska government formed, including municipal, borough, territorial, federal and eventually state funding.  Alaska's territorial government began in 1913 which began increased voice of Alaskans within federal legislation. Territorial legislation included compulsory education for all Alaskan children and early public health in the form of vital statistics. Labor laws were also introduced.   Alaska became a state in 1959 and representation in the legislature began to expand beyond all white and male to include Natives and women.  The executive branch included departments dedicated to health and education.  The development of organized government with increased local control in Alaska helped shape health and education efforts to meet the specific needs of the Alaskans over time. 

BIA School, Yakutat, Alaska, 1913-1939
Vilda ASL-P55-100

In 1905, Congress passed the Nelson Act, which established education for white children as well as "children of mixed-blood who live civilized lives" outside of urban areas access to education, under the Bureau of Education.  Bureau of Education/Bureau of Indian Affairs was responsible for Rural Education until the mid 1980's.  Laws were passed with compulsory education and attendance. Teachers initially were white women, with the Bureau of Education encouraging Alaska Native women to become teachers, which some did.   The schools were formed to replicate systems in the lower 48 of the US. Early curricula included reading, composition, handwriting, civics and mathematics as mentioned in Alaska History and Cultural Studies.    The high cost of this educational system was and still is a major factor in Alaska.

Three Art Students, Wrangell Institute, Wrangell Alaska 1937
VILDA ASL-P360-1135 

Education in the form of public schools is a western notion that was introduced to Alaska.  It prohibited Alaska Natives from speaking their native language and adopt English. This process of assimilation included eliminating Native cultural beliefs, values and traditions.  The world view of the white settlers was imposed and presented as superior, with the concept of shame and fear being associated with the Native sense of self.    The school year from September to May impacted Native subsistence cycles.   Early education was seen as a process of assimilation of Natives to western ideals and values.  Education for rural students beyond eighth grade meant boarding school education in locales far away from the student's family, land and culture.  The Molly Hootch lawsuit forced rural education for high school in rural areas 30 years ago, which increased high school graduation rates. The impact of western education to Native culture had many devastating impacts and it's legacy continues today.

Harborview  Elementary Students Surround Tlingit Elder
Selina Everson
Juneau, Alaska   Juneau Empire

Paul Ongtooguk has a beautiful quote that encapsulates the strength and resiliency as Native Alaskans continue to assert their culture through education: "Education and self determination is an issue central to the future success or failure of Alaska Native peoples. The very existence of Natives as distinct peoples within Alaska depends on the next generation of Alaska Natives being aware of and connecting to their cultural heritage.  Knowledge not passed down from generation to generation is at risk for being lost forever." He continues to write about the history and continued need for education to continue to embed Alaska Native values and culture and the Alaska Native community must guide educators in how to accomplish this.  "They must know that their cultural heritage is linked, over thousands of years, to  who they are today and who they will become."

Examine:

Describe various forms of recreation in Alaska.  Explain whether or not these are a particular Alaska variant of these types of recreation.

Recreation in Alaska by early settlers were similar to the Russian settlers.  These indoor and outdoor activities were also similar to Americans in other parts of the country who had a winter season.  Indoor activities included parlor activities, such as board games, concerts and plays. Indoor sporting events such as basketball, which communities organized and building were built around.  Social clubs were also popular early in the American period with memberships based on pioneer status or early immigration, such as the Pioneer clubs.  Outdoor activities were popular and included dog mushing, skating, skiing, camping, hiking and mountain climbing.  Community celebrations around historical events and Independence   Day gained popularity and continue today, as with the recently celebrated Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage.

Gold Medal Basketball Tourney, Juneau, Alaska
Juneau Empire

Alaska Folk Festival Poster
by Morgan Davis Alaska Folk Festival

There are certainly variants of these activities that are uniquely Alaskan.  These include the Arctic Winter Games that celebrate and incorporate traditional Native sport.   Dog sled races, such as the Iditarod, bring Alaskans attention statewide to the  excitement of this extreme sport as it passes through small northern communities. There are many examples of Alaska variants near my home in Southeast Alaska.   In Juneau this week, the city becomes a gathering place for villages in Southeast Alaska for a week long basketball tournament.  This annual event has taken place for 65 years and is an important cultural activity for Native and non-native families to gather.  Salmon derbies in Southeast Alaska have traditionally created a sense of community and friendly competition.  Another important variant of recreation in Southeast Alaska is the annual Alaska Folk Festival.  Started as a small venue to allow musicians to share their music, it now attracts performers from around Alaska and increasingly more from the lower 48 and internationally. It is a unique festival in that it is free and supported through voluntary membership.  It's culture is one of openness to all levels of musicianship with emphasis on community.  Musician's continually remark that nowhere else in the world is there a festival such a welcoming sense of community as the Alaska Folk Festival.   

Author's daughter on her first solo kayak in Southeast Alaska

Recreation continues to be an important element in Alaskan life today.  The opportunities for outdoor exploration in wild and beautiful places was the major draw for my immigration to Alaska 20 years ago.  Outdoor gear has been a theme and particular variant to to my life here.  It seems that having four or five different pairs of skis allows you to access different areas and take advantage of changing conditions. Around Juneau, boat travel has seemed essential for "road trips" to explore the waterways and islands.  Of course, several types of boats are handy for different distances, types of travel, travelling with babies, or fishing.  Then there are the ice skates when the lakes freeze over, the shed of fishing and crabbing gear, backpacks, climbing equipment, tents, sleeping bags and mountain bikes.  With this must come outerwear that allows you to be safe and comfortable in wet and cold weather, including down, dry suits, wet suits, rain gear, woolens, and and insulting layers.  

Colleague's Blogs

Heather's blog had nice associations between transportation in Alaska and her reflections on the essential transportation needs of her community in Wrangell. 


Peter made an interesting point in the "extend" section regarding the extreme costs of mail delivery to Alaska compared to other areas.  I, too, think about the  impacts to economic development in Alaska that may prevent our presence with customers "down south."


Really enjoyed Brad's journal entry format as a way to visit and explore the early immigrant experience to Alaska!  Wondering if you have a similar experience in your recent move here as you explain to your family and friends in the lower 48 your motivations to come to Alaska.  My family has stopped asking the question "When are you coming home?" after almost 20 years here

Reflections

I was especially struck by the stories and writings related to the Alaska education system and it's impact on Alaska Natives.  Through my work with families in Southeast, I was reminded of the stories they have told about their experiences with leaving their villages to attend boarding school and the harsh punishment for speaking their language.  As a language therapist, I continually think about the child I work within the context of family, culture and history and the content of the course strengthens my understanding of the impact.  I also found the content empowering as an educator and my need to continually  support and invite self determination into my work.