Akulmiut Neqait / Fish and Food of the Akulmiut

📖 The Scoop

300-word description

This bilingual book details the lives of Yup'ik people--the Akulmiut--living in the lake country west of Bethel, Alaska, in the villages of Kasigluk, Nunapitchuk, and Atmautluak. For centuries, Akulmiut have been sustained by the annual movements of whitefish. If there is one food that defines them, it is whitefish.
Although people use the term "whitefish" when speaking in English, there is no direct translation in the Yup'ik language. Instead Yup'ik people use more than a dozen words to talk about the different species, ages, and sizes of "whitefish" in their region.
To this day, many Akulmiut view not only their actions in the world, but their interactions with each other, as having a direct and profound effect on these fish. Not only are fish viewed as responding to human action and intention in many contexts, but the lakes and rivers fish inhabit are likewise viewed as sentient beings with the ability to respond both positively and negatively to those who travel there.
Change is profound in southwest Alaska, but the conversations recorded here--in both Yup'ik and English--are testament to the fact that a uniquely Yup'ik view of the world remains. While many predicted that globalization would sound the death knoll for distinctive traditions, instead indigenous people all over the planet have sought to appropriate the world in their own terms. For all their new connectedness, the continued relevance of traditional admonitions, many feel, cannot be denied.
Elders today suffer over the fact that many contemporary youth do not know their history. They meet this ignorance by actively sharing their view of the world. As the late Johnny Berlin said, "When they read what we've said, they will learn more about us."

100-word description

This book details the relationship between Yup'ik people--the Akulmiut--living in the lake country west of Bethel, Alaska, and the whitefish which for centuries have sustained them.
To this day, many Akulmiut view not only their actions in the world, but their interactions with each other, as having a profound effect on these fish. Not only are fish viewed as responding to human action and intention, but the lakes and rivers fish inhabit are likewise viewed as sentient beings with the ability to respond both positively and negatively to those who travel there. Although much has changed in southwest Alaska over the years, a distinctly Yup'ik view of the world cannot be denied.

one sentence

This bilingual book details the relationship between Yup'ik people--the Akulmiut--living in the lake country west of Bethel, Alaska, and the whitefish which for centuries have sustained them.

Genre: History / United States / State & Local / General (fancy, right?)