scholarly journals Alutiiq Fish Skin Traditions: Connecting Communities in the COVID-19 Era

Heritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 4249-4263
Author(s):  
Elisa Palomino ◽  
June Pardue

The Alutiiq, Indigenous inhabitants of the coastal regions of Southwest Alaska, created garments made from fish skins, especially salmon, expertly sewn by women from Kodiak Island. Traditionally, Alutiiq education focused on acquiring survival skills: how to navigate the seas in all weathers, hunting, fishing and tanning animal skins. Today, many Alutiiq people continue to provide for their families through subsistence fishing, honouring the ocean and navigating difficult times by listening to their collective wisdom. This paper describes the series of fish skin tanning workshops taught by June Pardue, an Alutiiq and Inupiaq artist from Kodiak Island that connected participants in Alaska Native communities during the COVID-19 isolation months. Through an online platform, June passed on expert knowledge of the endangered Arctic fish skin craft, assisting participants in coping with the pandemic crisis by tapping into their knowledge of the natural world, cultural resourcefulness, storytelling abilities and creative skills. Brought into the digital age, the fish skin workshops strengthened connections among Alutiiq and Alaskan craftspeople while establishing new connections with an expanded network of fashion designers, museum curators, conservators and tanners. Finally, the paper highlights how fish skin Indigenous practices address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding poverty, health and well-being, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, social inequality, responsible consumption and production, climate change and maritime issues.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S830-S830
Author(s):  
Steffi M Kim ◽  
Jordan P Lewis

Abstract The psychological construct of generativity encompasses a person’s motivation to leave a legacy for future generations by investing in acts that will outlive the self (Ericson, 1950). Lewis and Allen (2017) outlined the importance of generativity within AN cultures (caring for the future of our youth) and expanded Erikson’s western-based definition by adding the indigenous cultural generativity component to describe and incorporate Alaska Native specific cultural elements. These culturally based elements involve giving back to family and community including guidance and teaching of future generations (Lewis & Allen, 2017). Generativity within western societies accentuates independent achievements and successes more than the notion to care for future generations. This study is part of a larger community-based, exploratory, study between researchers and communities to explore successful aging that included 42 Alaska Native Elders in the Norton-Sound subregion, 21 Alaska Native Elders from the Aleutian Pribilof Islands, and 26 Elders from the Bristol Bay region. Qualitative interviews explored the participant’s life, influences on aging well, and their aging process. Thematic analysis was used to investigate the impact of generativity on successful aging was used to establish codes and main themes based on the three different cultural regions of Alaska. The findings suggest that generativity promotes successful aging. Elders who live in communities that promote community engagement, support family and school activities, and maintain and/or revitalize culture and traditions reported increased emotional well-being. Results can guide communities to incorporate or support cultural activities that promote generative activities and meaningful engagement which fosters successful aging.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-28
Author(s):  
Yahya Yahya ◽  
◽  
Hariman Bahtiar ◽  

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is one of the world's programs to overcome several problems that are currently the world's issues. The world's issues that want to be addressed include: eliminating poverty, eliminating hunger, building good health and well-being, providing quality education, enforcing gender equality, improving clean water and sanitation, growing affordable and clean energy, creating decent work and growth. economy, improve industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequality, mobilize sustainable cities and communities, influence responsible consumption and production, regulate climate action, promote life under water, advance life on land, ensure peace, justice and strong institutions , build partnerships to achieve goals. The target of seventeen components that will be completed in the world is planned to be achieved in 2030. All components that become world problems will be used as part of the target in this research. One of the research focuses is the economic component. The data obtained in Selong District, especially the economic component, will be managed and processed using the Naive Bayes algorithm. After processing the data using the Naive Bayes algorithm, the accuracy rate of closeness to the real situation is 93.45%. From the data obtained 93.45% or 0.9345 x the amount of data (kk) = 0.9345 x 1130 kk = 1056 families which shows the community is prosperous and 6.55% x 1130 = 74 families which states that people are not prosperous and can used as a reference in poverty alleviation through programs launched by the government.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (166) ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
A. Ivashura ◽  
O. Borysenko ◽  
O. Severynov

Nutrition of the employee at work has a huge impact both on his health and labor productivity, and therefore on the financial well-being of the enterprise. But today it is wrong to limit ourselves to these factors. In today's world, it is impossible to separate human health or the well-being of an enterprise from the environmental component. Therefore the eco-consciousness and eco-choice of the worker, including in nutrition as well as carrying out the eco-policy at production is very important. The modern man spends a lot of time at work, so a healthy diet plays an important role for his health. Today healthy nutrition means ecologically conscious or in another way - sustainable. Sustainable healthy eating in the workplace should be seen as a comprehensive initiative. In today's global climate imbalance, it is nutrition awareness and sustainability that will not only improve health and business performance, but also have an impact on mitigating environmental problems. Awareness of sustainable diets and common dietary practices in the workplace are investigated. The impact of nutritional-ergonomic strategies on physical employment standards, workplace safety and productivity is analyzed. A contemporary approach to nutrition based on informed employer choices in the context of nutra-ergonomics adjusted for environmental sustainability is discussed, helping to optimize employee health and well-being. Recommendations for workplace nutrition interventions to normalize weight and improve employee health are discussed, taking into account the current requirements of the sustainability goals. Practical intra-ergonomic sustainable strategies and recommendations for employee workplace nutrition are offered. The company's eco-initiatives in sustainable nutrition for its employees help not only to show concern within the framework of production activities, but also increase the education of citizens in the issues of eco-sustainability in everyday life. This increases the eco-education of the individual, which creates conscious consumption and minimalist views in all areas of life, both for the employee and possibly for his or her environment - family and friends. Investing in nutrition in the workplace is a high return on investment for the employer, which can improve the health of workers, create comfortable working conditions, increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace. It is a direct pathway to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production).


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Vining ◽  
Edgarita Long ◽  
Ella Inglebret ◽  
Megan Brendal

The overrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in special education, including children who are dual language learners (DLLs), is a major concern. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play a critical role in reducing this overrepresentation. Using a holistic assessment process that is responsive to the communication patterns of home and community contexts provides a framework for distinguishing actual language disorders from differences associated with cultural and linguistic diversity. This article presents current trends in Native communities that may impact the speech-language assessment process, including a shift from indigenous languages to English and/or Native language revitalization efforts. It also provides a framework for guiding assessment in a manner that considers cultural and linguistic factors in speech-language assessment for AI/AN children who are DLLs.


Author(s):  
Susanne Scheibe ◽  
Ute Kunzmann ◽  
Paul B. Baltes

In search for concepts that help understand how individuals strive for growth and perfection within the boundaries and constraints of human lives, we describe theory and research on the concepts of wisdom, or expert knowledge about human nature and the life course, and Sehnsucht (life longings), the recurring and strong desire for ideal (utopian), alternative states and expressions of life. Both represent relatively new concepts on the agenda of lifespan research, originating from an interest in identifying major topics of public and humanist discourse about the potentials and constraints of life-span development and finding ways to measure them with the methods of normative psychological science. Despite their complexity and multiple meanings, progress has been made in the theory-driven operationalization of wisdom and life longings, allowing new insights into their ontogenesis and role for positive development. Emerging research shows that wisdom and life longings do not directly promote a hedonic life orientation or happiness: neither the insight that life is incomplete (wisdom) nor the experience of this incompleteness (life longings) is compatible with feelings of unequivocal joy and pleasure. Yet, there is emerging evidence that they contribute to other aspects of positive development, emphasizing personal growth, meaning, and the aligning of one's own and other's well-being. We suggest that future research should focus on the links of wisdom and life longings with multiple developmental outcomes and the possible interplay of both concepts in promoting positive development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Keith L. Kline ◽  
Virginia H. Dale ◽  
Erin Rose ◽  
Bruce Tonn

Wood-based pellets are produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are also discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.


Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Margaret Hodgins ◽  
Patricia Mannix McNamara

New managerialism and the pervasive neoliberalisation of universities is by now a well-established phenomenon. Commentaries explore the political and economic drivers and effects of neoliberal ideology, and critique the impact on higher education and academic work. The impact on the health and well-being of academic staff has had less attention, and it is to that we turn in this paper. Much academic interest in neoliberalism stems from the UK, Australia and the United States. We draw particularly on studies of public Irish universities, where neoliberalism, now well entrenched, but something of a late-comer to the new public management party, is making its presence felt. This conceptual paper explores the concept of neoliberalism in higher education, arguing that the policies and practices of new public management as exercised in universities are a form of bullying; what we term institutional bullying. The authors are researchers of workplace culture, workplace bullying and incivility. Irish universities are increasingly challenged in delivering the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles of decent work, i.e., dignity, equity, fair income and safe working conditions. They have become exposed in terms of gender imbalance in senior positions, precariat workforce, excessive workload and diminishing levels of control. Irish universities are suffering in terms of both the health and well-being of staff and organisational vibrancy. The authors conclude by cautioning against potential neoliberal intensification as universities grapple with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reviews neoliberalism in higher education and concludes with insight as to how the current pandemic could act as a necessary catalyst to stem the tide and ‘call out’ bullying at the institutional level.


Apeiron ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Proios

Abstract Plato’s invention of the metaphor of carving the world by the joints (Phaedrus 265d–66c) gives him a privileged place in the history of natural kind theory in philosophy and science; he is often understood to present a paradigmatic but antiquated view of natural kinds as possessing eternal, immutable, necessary essences. Yet, I highlight that, as a point of distinction from contemporary views about natural kinds, Plato subscribes to an intelligent-design, teleological framework, in which the natural world is the product of craft and, as a result, is structured such that it is good for it to be that way. In Plato’s Philebus, the character Socrates introduces a method of inquiry whose articulation of natural kinds enables it to confer expert knowledge, such as literacy. My paper contributes to an understanding of Plato’s view of natural kinds by interpreting this method in light of Plato’s teleological conception of nature. I argue that a human inquirer who uses the method identifies kinds with relational essences within a system causally related to the production of some unique craft-object, such as writing. As a result, I recast Plato’s place in the history of philosophy, including Plato’s view of the relation between the kinds according to the natural and social sciences. Whereas some are inclined to separate natural from social kinds, Plato holds the unique view that all naturalness is a social feature of kinds reflecting the role of intelligent agency.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan A. Brown ◽  
Daniel L. Dickerson ◽  
David J. Klein ◽  
Denis Agniel ◽  
Carrie L. Johnson ◽  
...  

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth exhibit multiple health disparities, including high rates of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, violence and delinquency, and mental health problems. Approximately 70% of AI/AN youth reside in urban areas, where negative outcomes on behavioral health and well-being are often high. Identity development may be particularly complex in urban settings, where youth may face more fragmented and lower density AI/AN communities, as well as mixed racial-ethnic ancestry and decreased familiarity with AI/AN lifeways. This study examines racial-ethnic and cultural identity among AI/AN adolescents and associations with behavioral health and well-being by analyzing quantitative data collected from a baseline assessment of 185 AI/AN urban adolescents from California who were part of a substance use intervention study. Adolescents who identified as AI/AN on their survey reported better mental health, less alcohol and marijuana use, lower rates of delinquency, and increased happiness and spiritual health.


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