I sat down this morning with three of my grandchildren before they left for their first day of school. I asked them to be good and treat other people in a good way. I said they may be meeting new friends that might be with them for a lifetime. And I reminded them of the first law of Indian people: respect. My ten-year-old grandson, knowing our ways, quietly added that the second law was responsibility. It was good way to begin a good day.
Iḷisaġvik College (IC) Program Keeps Arctic Cultural Knowledge Alive
Iḷisaġvik College’s Native arts program is helping Alaska Native students in the Arctic Circle preserve and revitalize Iñupiaq cultural knowledge. Through hands-on learning, cultural camps, and curriculum development, students gain skills in traditional art forms, healing practices, and land-based knowledge while ensuring these traditions are documented and passed down to future generations.