Página — Ingles 8 (pág. 143)

Activity book. Track 12. Page 28. Activities 1and 2. Alaska natives use ancient traditions to fight mental health problems.

For thousands of years, the Yup'ik people of Alaska have depended on cultural traditions for their way of life. From one generation to the next, Yup'ik community leaders passed on their knowledge and skills to younger members of the tribe.

Now, some of these traditions may prove helpful to fighting substance abuse, depression and suicide within the Alaska Native community.

Knowledge from tradition.

Over the years, the lives of the Yup'ik people centered around the qasgiq, a house where many men lived and worked. Community celebrations were often held in the qasgiq. Most importantly, this is also where community leaders passed on their knowledge to the next generation.

"Our ancestors and grandfathers were like psychologists,"said Billy Charles, a fisherman and former mayor of Emmonak, a rural town in southwestern Alaska.

"They had a system of early childhood development in place, and with every teaching, they'd say, 'It may not apply to you now, but later on in life when you meet the challenge, you'll know what to do.""

Today, Charles serves as a researcher in the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Center for Alaska Native Health Research. He works to prevent health problems, such as drug abuse and suicide, in native communities.

New solutions from the past.

Earlier research has shown that Natives who are more connected to their traditional culture and language are less likely to take their own lives.

Charles and Stacy Rasmus of the Center for Alaska Native Health Research, have developed a cultural-based training and teaching guide called the Qungasvik, the Yup'ik word for "toolbox." Traditionally, the Qungasviks were wooden boxes Yup'ik men used to keep tools and tobacco. They are designed to help young people build resiliency.

The book, available online, has 36 activities based on Yup'ik traditions. One of them involves recreating the qasgig to provide young people a way to connect with older community members. This can help them learn about their culture and history, develop life skills and take part in community life.

"Our elders instruct us that. we must gather together,hold hands and form a circle around our youth, sheltering them from evil," said Josie Edmund, in a video that is part of the Qungasvik.

"The point is to communicate to children that.. you are valuable members of our community, and therefore, have much to live for."

GUIONES DE AUDIOS

142