CECI Yuuyaraq Cultural Immersion Camp
Calista Middle School Students Learn the Yup’ik Way of Being
Storyknife, July/August 2023 edition
Calista Education and Culture, Inc. hosted a Yuuyaraq Cultural Immersion Camp this summer near Umkumiute. Elders provided instruction to youth from surrounding villages in a setting similar to a traditional fish camp.
“Yuuyaraq [YUU-yah-uk] is a way of being—how you can survive throughout the year. It determines what you do throughout the year to survive—harvest greens, work on fish, and prepare for the winter so you can have food,” says Susie Carl, Calista Elder from Toksook Bay who participated in the camp.
Middle school students learn Yup’ik and Cup’ik cultural skills, values, and history from Calista Elders, including the value of sharing.
Middle school students from the Y-K Region with staff participating in the CECI Yuuyaraq Cultural Immersion Camp this summer near Umkumiute.
“We learned how to fish for halibut and cut fish. We learned how to bead and sow things like bracelets, and it feels really good to be a part of this,” says Stephana Larson, a middle school camper from Napaskiak.
Seventh and eighth grade students from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region learn subsistence hunting, fishing and harvesting activities. Three camps this summer are seven days in length and host about 15 students each. Elders instill traditional values every day of the camp.
“Traditionally we share with others,” Carl says. “They would go out catch fish and share the first catch with Elders, who would be grateful. With the Elders’ gratitude, their future would be brighter and successful in following trips.”
CECI’s culture camp is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Alaska Native Education grant. Additionally, first and second year Calista Region teachers attend the camp, giving them a chance to connect to Yup’ik and Cup’ik culture.
“Yuuyaraq is a way of being—how you can survive throughout the year.”
Susie Carl, Calista Elder from Toksook Bay
Students who complete the Cultural Immersion Camp earn a designation as Cultural Ambassadors. This achievement is celebrated through the school district, their communities and at Calista.
“I like sewing, cutting fish and helping with the Elders. My favorite activity is to sew, and I like sewing the NYO [Native Youth Olympics] high kick ball,” says Mami Anthony, a middle school camper from Nightmute.
Yuuyaraq camper practicing the One-Foot High Kick with a Native Youth Olympics ball sewn at the culture camp.
In addition to practicing leadership roles, the students learn the importance of protecting and respecting wildlife and the habitat in our Region.
“This experience has been fun and I’ve learned about Yuuyaraq—us, Yup’ik people, living in harmony with the land,” says Jessa Black, a middle school camper from Kongiganak.
Students can develop a sense of responsibility to the continuation of culture, while at the same time, learn that humor is an important part of cultural activities.
“I’ve enjoyed the crafts and going on walks,” says Annamae Owen, a middle school camper from Akiak. “Then when Elders tell jokes during the lesson it makes it more memorable.”
The cultural camp doesn’t end on the last day of camp. Students attend guided virtual sessions twice a month and complete a cultural project that directly contributes to the preservation and celebration of our language, culture and traditions.
“All we can do is encourage them,” Carl says. “Even though they make mistakes, it’s okay, they can try and try. Encouraging them to learn and do something new is really rewarding. I’m always learning from our Elders and learning from our students.”
The mission of Calista Education & Culture, Inc. is to celebrate and promote Yuuyaraq, the traditional/cultural way of being in the Calista Region which inspires and encourages our people to achieve their dreams through education.
