OUR CULTURAL IDENTITY JOURNEYS

Where you are today is exactly where you should be

Cultural identity is critical to who we are. It supports our well-being across all aspects of our lives. However, colonization and its forces, past and present, have sought to oppress Indigenous cultures, including the many cultures of Alaska Native people. For some of us, we may feel less sure of who we are because of this cultural suppression. Our ancestors may have been forbidden from speaking their languages, from practicing their spiritual traditions, and from sharing who we are. Our people may have been displaced from our lands. Our relatives may have been made to feel less than other people through oppression. Our families may not have shared who we are and our ways of life because of this oppression. We may have been forced to adapt to other systems and ways of life that make it challenging to follow our cultural values and participate in our cultural practices. We may still face prejudices and discrimination in our daily life that challenge our identities. None of this is our fault. Despite all of the trauma and difficulties, our people have been resisting this oppression. We have been following our cultural values, practicing our cultural traditions, and recognizing our cultural identities. We have been sharing our cultures with our people. 

That’s where this project came from. Some of us have been fortunate to be surrounded by people who have taught us about cultural identity our entire lives. But many of us have not for all of the reasons described above and more. Still today, many of us currently have to navigate spaces that discourage us from embracing who we are.

Alaska Native Elders from diverse regions in Alaska, who have diverse experiences and diverse life paths, have developed this project to help future generations of Alaska Native people know who they are and who they are becoming. We know that many Alaska Native people have ancestors from different regions of Alaska and beyond. Therefore, this project was developed for all Alaska Native people of all different cultural backgrounds and with all sorts of different life experiences and at all different stages of cultural identity development. This project is intended to help us explore our cultural identity and help us better understand who we are.

As you continue your identity journey, please keep in mind that our identity journeys are diverse. We are all starting from different points. Where you are today is exactly where you should be. Be patient with yourself. You may feel many emotions as you explore your identity. Some of these emotions may fill you up and make you feel good – joy, gratitude, pride, peace, excitement, contentment. Some of these emotions may be uncomfortable – confusion, shame, anger, insecurity. This is all normal. Remember that not knowing everything about your culture is not your fault. Be compassionate with yourself. Take your time. Reach out to healthy resources. Know that people love, value, and support you just as you are. So much love has gone into creating this project.

Thank yourself for your willingness to go on this identity journey. We look forward to learning with you.