Native values

The new book Alaska Native Ways: What the Elders Have Taught Us aims to discuss 10 Native Alaskans' values, in the words of Natives. In that mission, it succeeds. What the book's organizers may not have tried to do is provide a full-color lesson for life, but they did just that.

Alaska Native Ways, published by Graphic Arts Center Publishing, is a must-read for every Alaskan -- not just Natives. It takes 10 universal values of Natives, borrowed with permission from the Alaska Native Knowledge Network, and provides an essay from an Alaskan Native detailing that value.

The choice of essayists covers all cultures and locations in Alaska. There are two writers from Fairbanks and one each from the communities of Kotzebue, Wasilla, Juneau, Kodiak, Savoonga, Anchorage and Cordova, as well as Kingston, Wash.

The essayists represent Bush communities in which they grew up, and peoples of Athabascan, Yup'ik, Inupiat, Aleut, Tlingit, Alutiiq, Tsimshian, Siberian Yupik, Haida and Eyak descent.

"The writings and photos in this wonderful book give the reader a glimpse into the cultural soul of the Alaska Native people," said Margaret Nelson, the president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.

The book is held together by the photographs, which were taken by Roy Corral. The photographs are of the quality you would expect to see in magazines such as Life, and Corral's abilities behind the lens come through in the book. If the book was nothing more than pictures, it would tell the story of the Native Alaska life completely, and be a rousing success.

But the words only add to the overall feeling of the book. The essayists take the 10 values and expound on them in the following chapters: Show Respect to Others -- each person has a special gift; See Connections -- all things are related; Honor Your Elders -- they show you the way in life; Accept What Life Brings -- you cannot control many things; Have Patience -- some things cannot be rushed; Pray for Guidance -- many things are not known; Live Carefully -- what you do will come back to you; Take Care of Others -- you cannot live without them; Share What You Have -- giving makes you richer; Know Who You Are -- you are a reflection of your family.

The writers take the reader into the villages with them through their words. You see the trials and tribulations of trying to make a living in the commercial fishing industry, you learn about how Native Alaskans have learned to live off the land through teachings from their elders, and about how the past helps shape the future, among other things.

The book is a coffee table-type book, and one that should be required reading for everyone. It provides an understanding to non-Natives by giving readers a glimpse into the day-to-day life in Bush Alaska.

"Honorable and respectful depictions of our Alaska Native ways are refreshing and welcome. I know there is so much that is lovely and admirable in Native cultures that has not found adequate expression in printed media -- love for elders, delightful humor, respect for the land and animals, sharing and insightful spirituality," wrote Will Mayo in the introduction.

"I am proud and honored to introduce this work, and I pray a blessing on you as you enjoy these vignettes of the beauty and splendor of Alaska Native ways," Mayo wrote.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is hosting a gathering on Saturday to celebrate the release of the book. Writers will be on hand to sign copies of the book, and there will be a slideshow and a reading.