Yup鈥檌k Teaching Moment: Uqsuaq
Uqsuaq [UHK-suahk] is Yup’ik for “Fall”
Storyknife, September/October 2024 edition
presents the Yup鈥檌k Teaching Moment in our Storyknife newsletter. CECI highlights Yuuyaraq, the traditional/cultural way of being in our Region. The Yup鈥檌k Teaching Moment is provided by Mark John, CECI Cultural Advisor and 快播app Elder from Toksook Bay.
Fall has always been a dangerous time of the year in rural Alaska. It is getting cold and often wet and windy. It is also a time when freeze-up begins. In the Qasgiq鈥攖he community house鈥攖he Elders talked to the youth and the adults about the dangers of being out in fall.
Weather conditions were the main concern. They learned how to take care of themselves if they were to fall through the ice or get wet from the weather. They were told to always have a staff. It would help check ice thickness and help pull themselves out if they happen to fall through. They were also taught how to use grass as insulation to keep warm and dry if they got wet.
Uqsuaq [UHK-suahk] translates in English to 鈥�Fall,” a time of the year in which danger arises and freeze-up begins.
In the past, hunters, fishers and gatherers were advised not to go out unless it was necessary. Instead, they were advised to prepare traps for fur bearing animals that were used for food and clothing and to prepare for ice fishing with fish traps, nets and jigging.
It was a busy time for both men and women. Men worked on their sleds and harnesses for their dogs, animal traps, and their fish jigging gear. Women worked on winter gear for their families to stay warm during the winter.
Dangerous conditions are the same for those going out today. For those going out subsistence hunting and fishing by snow machine, they need to be very cautious and bring proper clothing, food, tarps and other items to keep safe and survive. Knowing how to navigate and use survival techniques is very important.
Young people who are just starting to get out need to be taught how to be safe. If they don鈥檛 know, adult family members need to teach them. It is a matter of survival. Keep safe and take care of yourselves.
is an Alaska Native 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. CECI’s mission is to celebrate and promote Yuuyaraq, the traditional/cultural way of being in the 快播app Region which inspires and encourages our people to achieve their dreams through education. CECI provides scholarships, conducts and publishes cultural preservation research, provides burial assistance, and holds culture camps that facilitate the sharing of traditional knowledge between our Elders and our youth.