Alaska Native Elders Strive to Pass Native Languages to Next Generations

Challenging task in the culture of Anchorage

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Feb 16, 2012 at 9:41 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 16, 2012 at 9:41 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Gertrude Berry is one of more than 23,000 Alaska Natives from across the state who speak their native tongue and are trying to pass it on to the next generation. But that task is proving to be challenging.

Berry, a mother of four, grew up in the tiny village of Napakiak, near Bethel, where she says everyone spoke Yu’pik.

“It was taught by my grandparents, among the family and the village. I was practically raised by the family and the village, that's all I remember,” said Berry.

But now she says things are a lot different for her children who are growing up in Anchorage.

“I want them to grow up the way I grew up,” she said.

Both Berry and her cousin Althea Jackson are fluent in Yu’pik, and try to speak it whenever they can.

“A lot of people choose to speak English because it’s easier for them to understand,” said Jackson.

But despite the struggle, they say their language needs to be preserved, so it's never forgotten.

“In our culture it’s all about respect, respect for the land and living off the land, but if we were to lose that... how would we survive, “ she said.
 

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Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 17 at 1:23 PM

but what right did the Church have to deny these children and peoples their native language...none and IT IS TIME to give them what was their BIRTHRIGHT language - besides their share of the oil I might add...

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Billy said on Thursday, Feb 16 at 11:20 PM

Every child can speak a language spoken, if spoken with from the very beginning.

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