Alaska Native Knowledge Network
Resources for compiling and exchanging information related to Alaska Native knowledge systems and ways of knowing.

ANKN Home About ANKN ANKN Publications Academic Programs Curriculum Resources Calendar of Events ANKN Listserv and Announcements ANKN Site Index

You are here

 
Printer-friendly version
Yup'ik Raven This collection of student work is from Frank Keim's classes. He wants to share these works for others to use as an example of culturally-based curriculum and documentation. These documents have been OCR-scanned and are available for educational use only.


Browse the glossary using this index

Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O
P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

The Snowy Owl by Jackie George

:

A long time ago there were a lot of Snowy owls. In the Yupik way the old time Eskimos believed that the Snowy owl was one of the best birds for feathers. So they caught them and used their feathers for dance fans. All along the Yukon, and even up north, people used their feathers for dance fans. But as time went by, the Yupik people found out that other sorts of birds also had good feathers to use for their dance fans.
Another way Yupik people used owl feathers was on the masks they made. Also, before welfare came, when Yupiks were sometimes on the verge of starvation, they would have to catch the Snowy owl for food. This would at least keep them from starving to death.

Jackie George

The Snowy Owl

Keyword(s):

Go to University of Alaska 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 nondiscriminitation.