Category: Unangan Culture

Unangam Hitnisagin with the 3rd graders.

Eagle’s View Elementary Achigaalux was the host for the first week of the Unangan Language and Culture Program this past week.  With the assistance of Program coordinator Mary Downs, and volunteer Pat Ellis, I was successful in finishing out the first week without mishaps.  Twenty-four 3rd graders participated in learning about Unangam Hitnisagin, or Aleut plants. 

We discussed gathering rules, the uses of plants – whether they were edible or medicinal, or both – made Unangam Hitnisagin books, and – best of all – were able to make items from three of the plants that were discussed.

A student's rendition of blueberries adorns the cover of his booklet.

Monday’s class was dedicated to sixsiqax^ (wormwood).  We discussed the traditional Unangan uses, then got right to work rendering the plant in olive oil.  By doing this, we took the medicinal properties from the plant material and transferred it to the oil, so that we could then use the oil as an exterior rub for aching muscles and joints.  Each student wrote about sixsiqax^ in their booklets, made a label for the container, and then chose an essential oil to add to the plant oil. 

The absolutely indispensible Mary Downs!

Tuesday and Thursday were all about saaqudiigamax^ or angelica.  The students learned that the basic process of rendering plants remains the same, but you can go beyond just an oil….you can add a thickener to make an ointment or salve.  As the angelica plant is used for relief of muscles and joints, plus curing infections, and healing burns – especially the dread putchky burn – they were all about making sure they got their ointment!

On Friday, the students came in raring to go.  They knew that in order to get their final project done, they would have to be on their toes and ready to work.  They learned that chngaatudax, or yarrow, was not only good for coagulating blood, keeping colds at bay, and keeping germs out of cuts, but that it also made a wicked lip balm.  A little tube of goodness for all those chapped lips. 

Getting the yarrow plant ready for the olive oil.
Learning the process step-by-step.
Learning the process step by step.
Getting the directions written down.
Yarrow lip balm and angelica salve.

 

Now that we have the timing down, fourth grade should be a breeze next week!

How to set the perfect table for a lustax^ party.

Mom called me up about 9:30 one morning not long ago.  She said, “Guess what?”  What, I said, expecting some juicy gossip.  “Irene is having lustax^ and we’re invited!”  Woo hoo.  How many people are coming, what can I bring…. Mom says Julia says they have everything.  Just come at noon.  I am drooling already.  I volunteer to cut up some dried salmon just to take in case they don’t have any. 

Why so excited you ask?  What the heck  is lustax^?   Lustax^ is one of those true trade item subsistence foods.  Traditionally, lustax^ is made from the flippers of the Northern fur seal.  We get them from St. Paul, even though, yes, we see fur seal coming through the pass in the spring and around November, but hunters are few and far between.  So, no salmon in St. Paul?  No fur seal in Unalaska?  Perfect trade. 

Lustax^ is technically salted, aged flipper.  To those of us who grew up with it – it stinks good.  My father, on the other hand for example, used to leave the  house when we had lustax^, or he would smoke a big, ole cigar. 

Setting the table:

Use card board or thick brown paper bags as plates and placemats.
Use card board or thick brown paper bags as plates and placemats.

You may use a plate for the potatoes and everything else, but you must, must, must cut your lustax^ on the placemat.  That is just the way it is done!!

Sharp knives...an absolute necessity!
Sharp knives...an absolute necessity!
Boiled potatoes.
Boiled potatoes.

We were extra lucky.  There was fur seal meat and fat in the pot, too!!!

Seal oil.
Seal oil.
Lustux^.
Lustax^.

Ready to eat!

The table set for a lustax^ party.
The table set for a lustax^ party.

Several other ingredients are needed.

Irene McGlashan- whose daughter, June, is her St. Paul connection.
Irene McGlashan- whose daughter, June, is her St. Paul connection.
Julia Dushkin, whose hosted the party at her house.
Julia Dushkin, who hosted the party at her house.
Gert Svarny - my mom, one of the lucky invitees.
Gert Svarny - my mom, one of the lucky invitees.

As we sat down to eat, Mom said, and I am quoting her here, “I was so afraid I wasn’t going to get lustax^ again before I died!” 

My plate.
My plate.

Foods indigenous to a culture are part of who we are.  Elders can absolutely feel unhealthy if they are not able to eat the foods they are used to eating.  It is an extremely important tradition to carry with us and to pass down to our younger generations.  June’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Shabolin from St. Paul,  made the lustax^. 

I have to really thank Irene for taking to heart my whining one day about missing sitting and eating native foods with other women, especially lustax^.  Within two weeks, I was full of good stuff and basking in the good company.  And she gave me seal oil to take home!  Qag^aasakung, ladies!

Lucky me!

I am a very lucky woman. I belong to a family of artists. Hence, my decor includes beautiful gifts.  There is nothing better than knowing that someone has given you something that is an integral part of themselves.

From my mother, Gert Svarny, an alabaster scupture.
From my mother, Gert Svarny, an alabaster scupture, "The Storyteller".

My friend, also an artist, just commented the other day – “You have a studio available to you right next door, and you aren’t there EVERYDAY???”  Well, I promised my mother, after April 30th, when StoryCorps wraps up.

A model iqyax^ made by my husband, Caleb. He is crazy with the miniature tools!
A model iqyax^ made by my husband, Caleb. He is crazy with the miniature tools!

My mother did something that I also did with my kids, and that my daughter is doing with her son.  She allowed us free rein with art – mainly by providing us with blank paper and a medium.  Allowing young kids to experiment with art, and by this I mean young – as soon as they can sit up – gets those creative impulses pulsing. 

Water is hard to capture, but Alena manages with subtle style.
Water is hard to capture, but Alena manages with subtle style.

I have noticed that the younger the child is when introduced to art as an expression of self, the better equipped they are in allowing themselves to be creative.

Laresa isn't afraid of experimenting with color and style.
Laresa isn't afraid to experiment with color and style.

Living in communities that support their schools is one of the keys to having a heathy population.  I hope to never live in an area where the arts are not offered to the students in a community.  If a community is without an arts program in their school, teachers should play an important role in incorporating art into the other subjects that they teach. 

Made from an ivory tusk, Gert ground ochre to make the paint.
A snuff box, made from an ivory tusk, also showcases how Gert grinds ochre to make her paint.

The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico was “home” to two of my sisters in the 80’s and to one of my daughters after high school in 2000.  

One of my favorite Svarny Hawthorne prints - "Flashbacks".
One of my favorite Svarny Hawthorne prints - "Flashbacks".

I am continually amazed at the multitudes of artists that we have in our community.  Two- and three-dimensional artists, musicians, writers, poets, photographers, wood workers  – you name it – we have it. 

I love the textures that Alena used in "The Octopus".
I love the textures that Alena used in "The Octopus".

Incorporating where you live and who  you are play a huge role in the success of your work.  Just as writers should write what they know, artists should take from their environment and their community values to create.

One of Laresa's assignments, utilizing the environment, culture, and language is one of my favorites.
One of Laresa's assignments, using the environment, culture, & language, is a favorite.

 

Expression can take all forms.  My oldest sister has a passion for language and a furious ability to champion and protect the environment.   My good friend Jerah can paint a picture with words.   I shouldn’t have been, but I was totally surprised when I found out my kids had been composing their own music.

Bentwood drum.
A bentwood drum, Caleb.

So…when the storms are bent on keeping you cooped up inside, read about something you don’t know about, learn a new instrument, or pick a medium and have at it.