Aging and Anthropology in Alaska

Abstract

When I started my anthropological training I had no idea how I would use it until I met a woman who was born in 1906 in Council, Alaska, 85 miles northwest of Nome. She led a fascinating life and at 79 was still an active volunteer and life participant. Through my association with her I began to think of how I could combine anthropology with gerontology and my career goals formed. I did not want to just obtain stories from elders, but rather see how I could help people manage in these rapidly changing times. Specifically through applied anthropology, I wanted to provide appropriate services to elders in the vast state where I live. Knowing this goal provided focus to my anthropological training, allowing me to pursue projects that enhanced my education and employment opportunities. Moreover, my anthropological background alerted me to the importance of the structure and history of service provision. This provided a catalyst for further investigation of the political and social issues of aging in Alaska, which gave me a holistic picture of current services.