Spent a very enlightening day at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. There are 5 major cultural groups & 11 peoples of Alaska Natives with 10 universal values: show respect to others, share what you have, know who you are, accept what life brings, have patience, live carefully, take care of others, honor your elder, pray for guidance, see connections. We should all have these values!
In the main hall they had storytellers, dancers, athletic games demonstrations such as toe walk, knuckle hop, one & two foot high kick, airplane, one arm reach, butt hop, four man carry, Alaskan high kick - all build endurance & strength.
Around a lake were 5 traditional Native dwellings, each with a cultural host who shared stories & explained their history.They also had displays & exhibits, a film, arts & crafts fair, & gift store. The clothing made of animal hides & furs with their beautiful beadwork was amazing! In asking, they prefer to be called Alaska Native instead of Eskimo, which means eater of raw meat.
