By Ruth Ann Black

I am delighted to share the responses we are having to our project where elders are teaching our students. The students are learning to make kuspuks and in return, our youth will make a quilt for our elders to express their gratitude.

First, before I begin, let me say that all things begin with a little seed and this grant has provided us our seed project and our garden is beginning to grow.

A grandmother to one of the youth helping with the quilting, was called to see if she wanted to assist us in our project.  She proved to be a valuable resource.  She came and taught Teona A. how to make a kuspuk. (Other students expressed interest and picked out their material, but are involved in basketball and will continue when the season is over)

Teona, a middle school girl, is very skilled in jewelry making.  She was very eager to learn the skill of sewing a native dress. She was a very attentive student and upon completion her face beamed with pride. She has worn her native dress every day since.  Now other girls are asking if they can make one. Many of our students are eager to learn more about Yupik cultural skills.

While teaching Teona, one of our elders approached us with an opportunity.  She would cut out different sized kuspuks if we would sew them.  The girls could then sell raffle tickets for them at the upcoming winter carnival; the money would then be ours to buy a new sewing machine.  Teona and two other middle students responded very favorably to the idea.

The kuspuks have been cut out and preparations have begun for sewing them.  Even Renee who initially only wanted to watch wants to assist in making them and eventually making one for herself.

We are seeing changes in our students and see the increasing desire to learn their Yupik culture and traditions. This project is helping our students with an opportunity to serve others and help their elders while providing them with the foundation to keep their culture alive for the future.

We are so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to extending and building more pathways in our community for our students and elders.