Pillerkiurluki Kinguliaput (bee-LU’th-geow-lu-gi Ging-OUliah-buht) means “Making a Plan for our Future Generations” in Yugtun
Storyknife, July/August 2026 edition
Our Elders tell us that we must prepare our young people by instructing them about what is to come before they experience it. We must talk to them about how to hunt safely and responsibly before they go out. We tell them about how to be a good student before they start attending school. We teach them how to live independently before they live on their own.
Neq’erkarkiurluki, means we instruct them so they can recall those teachings as they live. We prepare the youth for the future by advising them to make good choices and stay safe.
Pillerkiurluki Kinguliaput (bee-LU’th-geow-lu-gi Ging-OU-liah-buht) translates in Yugtun to “Making a Plan for our Future Generations.”
According to Elders, when we live according to the teachings, the ayuqucirtuutet, we live an easier life. Though if we live according to how we want to live, by our own will and desire, our path will be difficult, and we will come upon hardship.
We prepare the youth for the future by advising them to make good choices and stay safe.
Elders also tell our youth: Ciunerpeni caningqauq naugguirviinani: It is laid out on the path in your future and there is no way around it. There are things in life we must face and experience and there is no way around them. Life happens including school, relationships and making a living. When we are prepared in our minds for what is to come, our path is a lot easier. We can face challenges more confidently when we plan because we are prepared.
Calista Education & Culture (CEC) presents the Yup’ik Teaching Moment in our Storyknife newsletter. CEC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to serve the people of the Calista Region by preserving culture, empowering education and facilitating Yuuyaraq, our traditional way of being, to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future. This Yup’ik Teaching Moment is provided by Alice Cucuaq Rearden. She grew up in Napakiak and now lives and works in Anchorage as the Cultural Engagement Manager at CEC. This information was gathered from Kipnuk Elders living in Anchorage due to Typhoon Halong.