Join us as Lorraine David takes us into the depths of winter in Alaska long ago, when storytelling was a key activity to pass time and impart culture through the long nights. Lorraine shares a few of the stories told, called Kk'edon Ts'ednee, that communicate life lessons and creation stories. Watch live at https://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/live
Chief Dr. Reverend Anna Frank and Travis Cole join us to share their knowledge and experiences of the potlach tradition. Potlaches involve family and friends gathering, gift giving, ceremony, and food. Anna and Travis will explain the purpose, types, and variations of this tradition across the region, as well as its cultural significance. Watch Live… Read More
Join us as Sam Demientieff and Elizabeth Fleagle reflect on pandemics in Alaska, as COVID-19 reaches its 2-year mark. Sam and Elizabeth describe the changes brought on by pandemics, especially to events and gatherings that would traditionally occur in March. They also recall stories about how the Native community has been resilient through past pandemics,… Read More
Tom Huntington transports us on a journey across Alaskan landscapes in springtime. He describes how to navigate the land when the snow and ice start to melt, and how to prepare and what do once you're out there. He also explains the importance of Native place names when traveling. Tom shares the importance of passing… Read More
Food sovereignty is “the right of Peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.” - La Via Campesina, 1996 Food is at the heart of Alaskan Native Cultures. From hunting and fishing, to trapping and gathering, preparation and… Read More
The ongoing harvest of traditional foods maintains and (re)establishes connections between Alaskan Native peoples, the land, water and plant and animal kin. By participating in these practices, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of individuals and communities are higher due to participation and validation of Indigenous knowledge, the consumption of traditional foods, and ongoing… Read More
In addition to traditional harvest of wild meats, fish, berries and greens, gardening and farming is increasingly becoming an avenue for Alaskan Native communities to increase the food security and sovereignty of the peoples. Community or family grown vegetables and herbs provide low cost, healthy and engaging foods and activity in communities where shipping and… Read More
The health and wellbeing of people is largely dependent on the environment in which they live, access to clean drinking water and sanitization, and the foods in which they consume. As many cultures around the world have reflected, food is the first medicine. In Indigenous communities, traditional foods are a direct link to the lands… Read More
What are rites of passage? Jerry Isaac joins the series to speak about important ones in Alaska Native culture, such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death. He describes what rites of passage have remained the same, which have changed over time, and some of the challenges in maintaining these culturally imbued ceremonies. Jerry shares the… Read More
Summer's here! What better way to celebrate than going out for that first catch of the season? Kenneth Frank joins the series to help us learn how to prepare to do just that. He focuses on netmaking in this episode, a traditional skill for catching all different kinds of fish. Kenneth describes the basics of… Read More