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"First American Dream" by Rick Kennedy under Creative Commons. Click on the photo to learn about the symbolism of the frog and eagle.
In Yu’pik the word ellangellemni is translated “when I became aware.” It’s usually in reference to children, when they first become aware of their surroundings or can begin to retain memories. In the Yu’pik orratories I’ve read, it’s often used to indicate the start of a story from the speaker’s early childhood.
I love this word. After learning it my personal definition has become a bit embellished.* To me, “to become aware” means the moment you come across a new piece of information, experience, or history that changes your perspective. It means to move from childlike naivete to understanding. When I created this blog ellangellemni came to mind. I wanted this blog to bring awareness to others- using short articles in an attempt to spark passion- not to deliver soapbox speeches.
When I went to Alaska and worked at Presbyterian Hospitality House with emotionally disturbed teenage boys, many of them Alaska Native, I became aware. Their files revealed not only a lifetime of suffering, but generations, largely due to cruel actions by the US government. Suddenly the horrors of policies like “Termination and Relocation,” “Boarding School,” and “Assimilation” became very tangible and real.
Awareness weeks have become trite, and a bit overused, but I feel they have value. They provide an opportunity to consider issues that may ordinarily receive little attention.
May 19-22 is Aboriginal Awareness Week in Canada. The event was started in 1992 and “was designed to increase awareness of Aboriginal peoples among [Canadian] federal public service employees.” To celebrate the week I’m including some of the resources I’ve come across in my studies. They are not intended to be representative or complete. Please email me at elpisandjustice@gmail.com if you would like to see additions made!
- According to the 2006 Census, the Aboriginal population is over 1,172,790
- There are over 60 Aboriginal languages spoken in Canada
- The history of Aboriginal art in Canada is over 80,000 years old! The oldest remaining examples are around 5,000 years old.
Residential Schools
Starting in the 1870s, similar to the Americans, the Canadian government set up a system of residential schools, run by religious groups, to forcibly assimilate over 150,000 Aboriginal children. Children were deprived of their cultures, isolated from their families, and endured severe emotional, physical and sexual abuse. In 1996 the last federally funded residential school, the Gordon Indian Residential School, closed in Saskatchewan. In June, 1998, the Canadian government gave an official (but controversial) apology for the residential school era.
- Learn more about the residential schools through the online exhibit “Where Are the Children“
- Watch Prime Minister Harper’s apology here or you can read it here.
History and Culture
- Check out the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s online exhibit on the First People of Canada
- Gateway to Aboriginal Heritage, again by the Museum of Civilization
Government
- The Assembly of First Nations is the “national organization representing the First Nations of Canada”
- For a list of tribal government websites, please go here
Art
- My favorite book on arctic art, Arctic Spirit, includes photos as well as interviews with the artists
- Online gallery of Canadian Aboriginal art, produced by the Department of Canadian Heritage
Some of the blogs I follow (not exclusive to Canada)
Have you had an experience of ellangellemni, when you suddenly became aware of an issue and experienced a change in perspective? Post it in the comments section!
Have a blog or website you would like to recommend? I’m especially interested in promoting sites run and maintained by American Indians/Alaska Natives/First Nations. Email me at elpisandjustice@gmail.com
*I do not take ownership of the word “ellangellemni,” but am just using poetic license. This word is solely the product of Yu’pik linguistic genius and not my own!
Take your cardiovascular health into your own hands. Photo by Pink Sherbert Photography on Flickr.
In 2006 my grandmother had a heart attack. Much to her relief and our happiness, she survived. My grandma was very fortunate; she had great health insurance, good genes, and a large family that not only love her but also had the resources to care for her. Many in the US are not this fortunate. Seeing what not only she went through, but also my aunts and uncles, made me feel much more connected to families that have also faced a loved one with heart disease.
February is American Heart Month. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Risk factors for heart disease are:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
Heart disease morbidity and mortality varies greatly across age, race, and geographic region. I’ll post more on these inequities later this month.
For more information:
Never been trained in CPR, or has your old card expired? Go here to find your local Red Cross training center.
What cholesterol level is high? What should my goal blood pressure be? Go here on the specifics of risk factors.
Not sure on the warning signs of a heart attack? Go here.
President and Chair of the Commission on Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt, looking at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Spanish.
December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then December 10th has been celebrated as “Human Rights Day.”
The Declaration is comprised of 30 articles, putting to paper the basic, yet crucial demands that such basic needs as food and shelter are indeed rights human beings are entitled to at birth. It serves as a constant reminder that although injustice continues, it is by no means acceptable.
Of particular interest to this blog is article 25:
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services…”
Unfortunately many of us, including myself, become numbed by the constant barrage of horrific images of human suffering delivered by the media. We cannot not allow this to happen. Instead we must remind ourselves differences in geography, race, gender, and age do not justify one person being well while another having their life cut short.
We may not always have control as to whether or not our own government follows the Declaration. However, we do have control over our own actions. Celebrate Human Rights Day by pledging to uphold the Declaration!
Now only if Georgetown Cupcake was still selling their special United Nations Cupcake, darn…..
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