Paul John speaks at Roundtable Discussion

Susan Paskvan just wrote about the importance of language preservation in her regular column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Her report on May 7th Roundtable Discussion features the following quote from Yup'ik elder Paul John (translated to English by his son Mark):

"It’s very important to not lose our culture. He is very happy to see everyone here, he is happy to work toward preserving our language. He’s hoping this (bill) will go forward and to become a reality. He gives advice for everyone to work on the same level. Not to look at others below them, but to work at the same level. In the past Yup’ik elders have been looked down at. The main reason is because there is nothing written about Yup’ik culture. He wanted to state that it was that way. He used the computer as an example. When the elders taught them, they told them that they are young. They told them to remember what they are being taught. In the Yup’ik way their mind, their head was their computer. In the past the elders taught them from the time they were small — how to live life from a child to father to great-grandfather. He was taught those ways. Now he is at the point of a grandfather and great-grandfather. He was taught by his elders at that time. When the elders taught, they taught them what they will need to know in their future. He compared it to going to college. Being taught to live their lives in the good way."

Susan had hoped to include the following photo as well. Since it didn't make it into the article, we include it here.

Paul John (right) at the Roundtable Discussion on Alaska Native Languages
(photo: Lawrence Kaplan)