I still believe that people are really good at heart. I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and the peace and tranquility will return again. *Anne Frank *July 1944

Unfortunatly for me and my children, I know little of my own Inupiat culture. I do know that we are a very God loving peoples. In the harsh northern arctic climate, the dependence on the Creator for survival was very important. The Inupiats had many of the same beliefs as the Native Americans here in the lower states. They did some of the ceremonites differently, but the basic belief in an all powerful and all loving Creator was there. This is what I missed out in learning when I was growing up, the ceremonies and ways of the ancestors. These were replaced by the beliefs and practices of the Christian religion. I was raised with the belief though, that we are all created as one in an interconnected part of Creation. We are all His work and we are all here to help each other.

As I said, my family were the Angakoks. These were the Medicine People. They cultivated a strong connection with the reality of Creation. They were able to heal by allowing the Creator to work through them. They listened to the animals and plants and Mother Earth and took instruction from them We were the last to be placed here on our Mother. The earth intself, the plants, water, rocks trees, animals, birds, fish and insects were here long before we arrived. They are closer to the Creator then we are. They do not have the notion of being self important or seperate.

The biggest connection I can find between the Inupiat of Alaska and the southern Indians, is the concept of everything being connected by a Web of Life given by the Creator.  Look at it this way, if we are all created by one Creator, and His Hand has made everything, how can we not be connected and Spirit filled? We are all part of a whole. There is no seperateness here. People in todays society see things as being theirs or the other person's . This is far from the truth. Everything that matters, is connected by the Spirit. We were placed here by the Creator to fulfill a purpose. It is up to each of us to discover the path to that purpose. But along the way, we are to help everyone and everything that crosses that path. Another important connection is the prayer. The Inupiates life is one continuing prayer. When you live in the harsh northern climate, you learn to respect His power and the help of those He sends to help you. You do not ignore the signs, for to do so, could mean death.

My words are tied in one with the great mountains, with the great rocks, with the great trees. In one with my body and my heart. *Yokus Prayer

There are four Eskimo languages in Alaska. Three of these are Yupik and the other one is Inuit. This language is a derivative from one main one. in greenland, they call it Kalaallisut, in Canada it is called Inuttut. And in Alaska, it is called the Inupiaq. I am from the North Slope dialect. I spoke the language up until I was about 11 or 12. It was at this time that my prandparents died and I was no longer able to go up in the summers to visit them. Back around home, English was spoken. So the language died out with me. The Natives of Alaska had a hard time, just as the Natives in the lower 48. There were some who would not let the culture and language die out. The Natives from up north still perform the Nalukataq. This is a whaling festival. It honors the whale for giving it's life to feed the village. It gives thanks to the Creator for allowing a successful hunt. there is a communal feast outdoors on the beach. It is in June, after the whaling season has ended. The whale is divided among the whole village. The cultural ways of the Inupiat has changed alot from the early ways. The missionaries came up the the norther coast and forced their religion on the Natives. It was the same as down in the lower 48. The children were taken from their families and sent to boarding schools. There they were not allowed to speak their language and were dressed all alike, in white man's clothes. They were punished if htey practiced the old cultural ways. Even though this went on, there were some who would not let the old wyas die out. It is because of these elders that the ways were preserved. Us younger people owe them the greatest respect. The best way to show this respect is to learn and carry on the traditional ways and to teach the generations to come of our rich cultural heritage.

When you arise in the morning, give thanks to the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself. *Tecumseh Shawnee

I have found a really great site here...MedicineDream. They are a multitribal band from Alaska. This site has some demos of their music. I LOVE it!! Please visit them.

Another wonderful site!! This one will allow you to hear the Inupiaq language! Please stop by here.

Background and bars courtesy of SILVERHAWK CREATIONS. Please visit his site.

All writings are &#169 by Alaskan Angels and Roberta Wallace 1998. No copying in part or whole is permitted without written permission of owner.