Linking local and global: Yup'ik elders working together with one mind

Abstract

In this paper, I describe a decade of work with the Calista Elders Council (CEC), a non-profit organization, representing the 1900 Yup'ik tradition bearers of the Yukon–Kuskokwim delta in southwest Alaska. CEC is the major research organization for the region and is active in documenting Yup'ik traditional knowledge. CEC was established in 1991 by Calista (the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act profit corporation for the Yukon–Kuskokwim delta). Mark John (originally from the Nelson Island community of Toksook Bay) became executive director in 1997. Under John's leadership, guided by a nine-member board of elders, the CEC developed a program to address cultural issues, including rapid loss of traditional knowledge. Since 2000, these documentation efforts have been supported in part by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and have resulted in 10 major publications, a museum exhibition, two websites, as well as numerous papers and public presentations. Along with these products, CEC has developed a collaborative approach that continues to allow nonnative scientists like myself and Yup'ik community members to work together as we document and share knowledge in new ways. This paper describes both the strengths and limitations of this approach in accomplishing elders’ primary goal, i.e. ensuring that their view of the world continue a living tradition. The discussion attempts to go beyond the technical and pragmatic aspects of data management to address ethical and social issues of sharing knowledge.