Indigenous Culture and History

(Northern Ministry Preparation Guide)

Overview: The missionary will have an understanding of the history of indigenous cultures of the north, their relationship with European settlers and government, and land claim settlements in the last 50 years. The missionary will also study the local culture and demonstrate learning the culture through listening to the elders and other cultural informants. The cultural impact of boarding schools and other government & religious programs will be understood.

Potential Topics/Skills	Suggested Training Options
Intro to Native Culture	“Understanding Native Culture” NMT Track 1 “Dos and Don'ts for the Bush Newbie” NMT Track 1 “What is Native Culture?” NMT Track 1 Alaska Native History & Culture First Nations (Canada) History & Culture The Native People of Alaska by Steve Langdon Fifty Miles from Tomorrow by William Hensley Our Voices: Native Stories of Alaska and the Yukon by James Ruppert Whiteman's Gospel by Craig Stephen Smith Another Culture, Another World by Father Michael Oleksa
Native Youth Culture	“Youth Ministry” NMT Track 1 Many resources available by Ron Hutchcraft Ministries Eagle Blue by Michael D'Orso
Local Community & Regional Culture	Alaska Yupik / Athabascan - Biography series published by Yukon-Kuskokwim School District (out of print, Don Ernst has copy) Koyukon Athabascan - On the Edge of Nowhere by James Huntington Koyukon Athabascan - Make Prayers to the Raven by Richard Nelson Koyukon Athabascan - Make Prayers to the Raven 6 video series (made available on Youtube by KUAC Fairbanks) Koyukon Athabascan - Shadows on the Koyukuk by Sidney Huntington Gwich'in - Raising Ourselves by Velma Wallis Canada Dene - End of the Earth People by Bern Will Brown Inuit - Nunavut Generations by McElroy

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