Storytelling in the Yup'ik Immersion Classroom

Yup'ik Raven Storytelling in the Yup’ik Immersion Classroom

Sample Mini-Stories

6. Piipiq Ellamun Anvailegmi Before Baby Goes Outside

I came up with this short scene when students were confusing pelatuuk ‘scarf’ and pelatekaaq ‘tent’. One character plays the role of aanaq ‘mom’ who will be holding out the choice headwear for baby. The other character plays as piipiq ‘baby’. The students get a chuckle out of baby wearing a scarf tied under her chin at the end of the story.

Una qanemciuguq: Piipiq Ellamun Anvailegmi

This is a story: Before Baby Goes Outside.

Enem iluani aanartangqertuq.

Inside the house there is mom.

Enem iluani piipirtangqertuq-llu.

Inside the house there is also a baby.

Piipiq-qaa nacaryugtuq ellamun anvailegmi?

Does the baby want to wear a hat before going outside?

Qang’a, piipiq nacaryuumiituq.

No, the baby does not want to wear a hat.

Piipiq-qaa malagg’aayaryugtuq ellamun anvailegmi?

Does baby want to wear a fur hat before going outside?

Qang’a, piipiq malagg’aayaryuumituq.

No, the baby does not want to wear a fur hat.

Piipiq-qaa pelatuugyugtuq ellamun anvailegmi?

Does the baby want to wear a scarf before going outside?

Ii-i, piipiq pelatuugyugtuq!

Yes, the baby wants to wear a scarf!

Aanartangqertuq.
There is a mom.

Enem iluani...

inside the house...

Aanartangqertuq.

There is a mom.

Using your arms make a roof shape over your head.

Use your hand to show mom’s height being a little shorter than yourself.

Piipirtangqertuq-llu.

There is also a baby.

Piipiq-qaa nacaryugtuq?

Does baby want to wear a hat?

Using your arms, position like you are holding a baby.

Hold up a hat. For each head item the baby does not want to wear, nod your head no while saying, “Qang’a, piipiq...” “No, the baby...”

Piipiq-qaa malagg’aayaryugtuq?

Does baby want to wear a fur hat?

Piipiq-qaa pelatuugyugtuq?

Does baby want to wear a scarf?

Hold up a fur hat.

Hold up a scarf.

For Ii-i, piipiq pelatuugyugtuq ‘Yes, baby wants to wear a scarf’, put the scarf on baby’s head and tie it under her chin.

Table of Contents

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, educational institution, and provider is a part of the University of Alaska system. Learn more about UA's notice of nondiscrimination.

Alaska Native Knowledge Network
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 756730
Fairbanks AK 99775-6730
Phone (907) 474.1902
Fax (907) 474.1957

Questions or comments?
Contact ANKN

Last modified April 7, 2011