Our Way of Life
This video explores the rich cultural heritage of the Yup’ik people and how it has been affected by colonialism, focusing on the significance of dance in Yup’ik culture as a means of storytelling and spiritual expression.
With the arrival of white missionaries and colonialism, the Yup’ik way of life began to change. The suppression of traditional rituals, spirituality, song, and dance in the communities led to a loss of cultural identity, communication, and celebration. The forced removal of Yup’ik children from their homes and communities to attend boarding schools disrupted the transmission of traditional knowledge and skills, leaving a void that was filled by alcoholism and societal ills.
Today, however, there is a resurgence of Yup’ik dance as a form of art, communication, and cultural preservation. We explore how dance is now celebrated with pride, telling stories about the Yup’ik way of life and cultural identity. Join us as we delve deeper into the significance of dance in the Yup’ik culture and how it has survived and evolved through the challenges of history.
Workshop Info
In this professional development course, educators received comprehensive support to engage students in documentary filmmaking. Participants learned how to utilize primary sources from the Library of Congress and incorporated local resources such as Elder interviews, artifacts, photos, and documents. This training equipped teachers with the tools to create enriching, historically grounded educational experiences through the art of documentary filmmaking.
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