Iralull er/january Harsh Weather Month Calendar Sample of Kotlik Yup ik Version 2013 This is the month when the weather can change in a short time. It is very cold and not easy to stay outside for a long time. Wear appropriate, warm clothes to prevent frostbite. Do not put your tongue on metal. If you get caught in the snowstorm when traveling, dig a hole under the snow, and stay there until weather clears. Always be prepared. Talk with an Elder on how best to dress in harsh weather. Ask someone what to do when the weather comes down on you while you are traveling. Become aware of signs of changing weather. Become observant of the daily weather. Pay attention to what activities people do indoors when the cold weather arrives. Take time to listen to stories that community members tell. Travel is limited by weather condition. Travel only on a clear day. Become observant of the weather, watch the clouds and learn to read the signs for weather forecasting. Sew fur clothing and make fishing and hunting tools. Fur parkas and maklaq/seal skin boots were made to wear for the cold days. Take steam baths and relax. Begin practicing potlatch songs and dances. Go to some villages that celebrate first catch and first dances in their potlatch. Travel with care, watch the weather signs. Sew fur clothing and fabric items.
Nayirciq/February Birth Month for Ringed Seals Go hunting when the weather and ice conditions are safe to travel. While the men are away, the women prepare their home, cleaning, to welcome a new catch. The first seal catch of the year is distributed to elders and community. Elder s gratitude is abundant. They wish one who caught to become a successful hunter. All catch should be treated with respect so that animals will not be afraid to come to you. The head of the seals should be returned to the water with the words, Return with a new body. Do not wait to be invited to celebrations, go when you hear an announcement. If you are invited to practice dancing, do not hesitate, learn how to yuraq/eskimo dance, and learn the protocol for yuraq. If you have a qaspeq, wear it to the events. The daylight begins to get longer, get a fishing license, and join the ice fishing trips. Listen to the stories associated with the Eskimo dances and learn what the motions mean. Ask Elders to come and tell stories of how potlatches started in the community, why there are potlatches, what is the purpose, and what does it mean. Seal hunting time with dog teams near the ocean. Camping on the ice to watch for seals to bring home fresh meat. Women keep their homes clean, sew clothes, and prepare good food for their hunters to return home. Women cut and distribute meat to widowers and other members of the community. Sewing and gathering items for potlatches. First dance practices. Preparation for guests. Celebration of First Dancers at the potlatch. Gifts of homemade items and store bought and food are given away to guests only. It is time to ice fish for pike. Check fish nets under the ice for fresh burbot and sheefish.
Kep nerciq/march Winter Transition into Spring A time to prepare for the spring. Warmth of the weather and the sunlight helps people to work outside. Time to clean out the cache in preparation for the summer. Sleds and boats are repaired for travel to spring camps. Sealskins are hung on the clothes line for sun to bleach. Women clean out their food containers and pass out the left overs to those who are short on food supply such as dry fish and meat. In gratitude, communities gather for dance ceremony/potlatch. Become aware of the changes from harsh winter to warmer days. Become aware and observant of what the community activities are. Learn the protocol for yuraq/dance festival. Learn the stories yuraq/dance provide, how healthy teasing occurs through the yuraq/dance, and sharing of food. If you can, travel between villages, always with someone. Sleds are rebuilt and ready for pre-spring camping. When the days get longer, people moved to prespring camp area. It is a season for long distance travel to trap fur animals such as wolverine, beaver, and wolf. Ice fish for pike and sheefish. Season to trap rabbits and snare ptarmigan. Share food to ones who lack food just before summer. People tend to travel more when daylight become longer. Some will get more wood for their wood stoves or for their steam bath houses. It is a season for rabbit and ptarmigan hunting Some communities celebrate potlatches and invite their opponents to join them in their host villages. People travel with care when going into communities, and act like guests. A month when communities are aware of what other activities are going on such as the Iditarod Race, Iron Dog Race, and celebration for Easter if it happens to be in March.
Tengmiirvik/April Arrival of Migratory Birds Be prepared for the arrival of the birds. Welcome them with new fresh food in mind. Catch only what you can use. Take good care of your catch, first plucking them. Try not to waste any. When birds are cooked all parts are usually used including heart and lungs to prepare the soup for a family. Men use to be served the meaty parts of the bird such as the breast because they were the ones to bring in the catch. The wings and the backbone were usually eaten by the woman. This practice is still observed. Learn to become much more observant to nature and weather change. When invited to go take a steam, try it out, and listen to stories. Go spring camping, it is a good experience to learn how to camp when snow is around, with someone. Take field trips to observe small animals, and learn to recognize their tracks. Travel with dog team to nayurvik/geese hunting place or area that belonged to a hunter. All hunters knew which area belonged to every hunter and did not interfere unless they were invited. Catch was shared throughout the community and especially those who are widowed. Hunters caught only what was needed. Seal, caribou, and bird meat is hung to dry. Daylight is noticeable and warmer weather. Travel can become dangerous in some areas because of melting snow. Everyone watches for the first bird to arrive Hunters get their supplies ready. Hunters are out when they are able to, share food with families and others who are unfortunate. Ice fishing continues.
Maniit Anutiit/May Time of Egg Laying When going on an egg hunt, dress appropriately for wet and mossy country. Use ayaruq (walking stick) to test ice under the water and to help you balance when crossing wet areas. Carry a back pack with water and food. When you find eggs, leave one behind for mother. Carefully place eggs in the backpack or in a grass filled bucket. Take only what you can use. Share with elders or widowed families. Gather also edible greens and ayuq (Labrador tea) if you find some. Learn to predict ice break up. Observe fresh greens growing. Learn which plants are edible, poisonous, medicinal, and their Yup ik and biological names. Learn to use ayaruk (walking stick) when on the tundra. Learn names of lakes, rivers, and landmarks both in Yup ik and English. If invited to go on a boat trip, wear a life jacket, and encourage safety to young people and children. Learn to be prepared for weather condition. Learn to read the river water for sandbars and depth of water. There is lot of water this time of the year, everyone helps one another to listen to stories for the predictions of ice break up. People in the villages prepare their qayaq/kayak, wooden boats, build new ones, repair old ones, and clean out caches. All trash is picked around the village and burned. Near the village, people go out on the tundra to look for duck eggs, and always leave one behind. After break up, people used qayaq or boats to gather greens and some eggs. People listen to the radio and watch television for break up news. When snow melts, clean up is organized by the village traditional council. Some people get their boats ready for emergency use. Some people clean out their food caches and their smoke houses to prepare for the new arrival of salmon. Extra food is shared with others. Some people gather fresh greens and eggs.
Tarsaqviikvik/June Season for King Salmon Be prepared for the arrival of salmon. Smoke houses are cleaned. Hanging poles washed and scrubbed. Nets mended. Boats and motors repaired and ready. Some families prepare to go to fish camps. All winter gear is put away in storage. The first salmon caught is shared with the families and other members of the community. Clean up continues in the village. Bones are usually returned to the water. Land mammal bones are usually buried underneath the ground. Respect nature, water, and land by keeping it clean when camping. Suggested Ways New Teachers To Get Involved Learn about the fishing regulations and laws in the State. Make sure you have a fishing license. Learn what it means to be a subsistence user. Learn the salmon names, their life cycle, and how to conserve. Learn about ANCSA (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) and how it affects the land use. People used homemade or commercial set nets to catch salmon. If one is unlucky, they gathered teptukuyaq (valerian plant) tied to the net mesh for cleansing to increase the catch. People went to fish camps to stay there during the whole summer. People lived in canvas tents, build fish racks, smoke houses, and bath houses for the summer. Fish are gutted, cut, and hung to dry. Bones are dried for later use in the winter. Fish parts were placed in containers underneath the ground for dog food. Some people go to fish camps to do their salmon fish drying. Other people work on their fish in the village in their smokehouses. Commercial fishing is the main income for families. Different types of salmon are caught all through the summer either in drift nets or sport fishing. Memorial Day is celebrated.
Ingtarvik/July Bird Molting Season All dried fish should be placed in buckets for winter use or vacuum sealed. It is a time when birds begin to molt their feathers. There will be many young birds swimming. Leave them alone so that they can grow up to become adults. If needed and you are hungry you are allowed to catch a few to eat. Otherwise, let them grow up. Travel with care on the boats. Weather can change so check the conditions before traveling. Use your life jackets when traveling. Learn the water signs for sandbars and depth. Listen to stories of what happened traditionally and what changes occurred. Observe summer activities. Learn to follow rules of the subsistence activities. In some areas, berries will be ready, be prepared for invitation or go on your own to collect some. When there were no freezers, people hunted for molting birds for fresh meat. People only caught fresh meat enough for consumption. People cut more fish for dog teams. Travel was by wooden boats with low powered motors. When barges arrived for AC company stores, men worked long hours, longshoring supplies for the winter. Travel is by larger aluminum boats with high powered motors. Life jackets are worn by people in open boats. Most people are done with drying fish. July 4 is celebrated in most villages especially in larger towns. Freezers are beginning to gain new fresh food.
Naunrarvik/August Time For Edible Greens and Berry Gathering August can be a rainy month so be prepared for good weather days for outings. It is time to gather wild rhubarb. When berries start ripening, it is time to pick them. Some salmonberries will be ready in July and go onto August in different areas. Pick plenty for winter use and to share during potlatches. Get ready for school too. Students should have plenty of rest to be prepared for learning. Many who fish camped are home for the winter. There is plenty to do before cold days arrive. Walk around the village, talk to children, meet others, tell stories about yourself. Learn what community activities are, and ask only one question at a time. In some areas, berries will be ready, be prepare to gather. Explore the tundra and the nature. Families return to the villages for the winter. Families gathered logs and build rafts of firewood. Families load wooden barrels with dried fish, dogs, and all equipment on rafts to return to the village. Families then go to their berry picking areas, camp, and fill their wooden berry buckets. When all containers are full, some families store food in sealskin containers and place them in lake water tied to poles to pick up later. Wild rhubarb is collected in large amounts to cook and store in containers. Some people will return to villages after fish camping. Most people will gather salmonberries for winter use. People will get ready for the new school year Many will go fishing for silver salmon to store for winter use. Employed people in villages will go back to work. Hunting season for moose and caribou are near, so people will prepare for it. New teachers will arrive to the village.
Amirairvik/September Velvet Coming Off Antlers Moose and caribou antlers are shedding velvet at this time. Seals, whales, and birds are in season for hunting. When meat comes into your home, take good care of it. Pluck the bird feathers, clean, cut, wrap, and put meat away for winter use. Share what you can with elders and widowers and those who are unable to hunt for themselves. Respect all animals by taking good care of them. Be thankful for what you have. * Listen to what goes on in the village for the preparation of winter Become aware of what things can be accepted when someone offers you. Small portions of different foods are fine. Marine animal skins and ivory are not to be taken. It s okay to refuse to buy crafted items. Meet your student s parents, storytellers, cultural experts, and those who work in offices, clinics, post offices, and stores. Listen to stories that the students bring with them from their summer experience in camping and hunting. Learn that families will take their children to fall camping, last season to camp, during hunting season. People gathered blackberries and cranberries. Hunters hunt whales, seals, birds, and moose meat before winter arrival. People traveled with caution due to ice forming around the riverbanks, lakes, and swamps. People dressed with warmer clothing. Change of fall colors are recognized on the tundra, willows, and alders. Get ready for winter Hunting season for moose, caribou, and ducks and geese. Families go to their last camping trips during hunting season before winter, berry picking. Take care of meat and store away in the freezers Labor Day is celebrated Season of new colors Some people gather beach grass for winter projects Travel with caution
Qaariitaarvik/October Time for Celebration and Sharing of Food Cold winter arrives this time of the year. Ice can be thin. Wait until you are told to walk on it by an experienced person. Be careful when traveling on ice for ice fishing. People gather to celebrate the first traditional ceremony. Some will use costumes to go from house to house. Celebration of dancing starts at this time too. food is distributed during the first dance to welcome guests and appreciation of food gathered. Learn how to invite guest storytellers, cultural experts, and crafters to the classrooms from the local coworkers. Get out to the community, go to bingo if you want to, and attend churches if you want to. Be aware that you have the choices to attend the activities in the village. Learn the traditional ceremonies that were celebrated before schools came to villages. When uncertain about things, its okay to ask. Yuraq/dance celebration of successful summer months of gathering food for the winter begins. When rivers and lakes begin to freeze, travel is forbidden. The winter projects are started, like fur sewing. Black fish traps are set under the lake ice. Fish nets are set under the river ice for white fish. Caution to travel on the ice is enforced. Schools celebrate Halloween. Some people set nets under the ice. Some people prepare fish traps and set them for consumption. Ice fishing occurs. Celebrations of food festival, birthdays, and others are by family members.
Causarvik/November Time for Drumming People gather in the community hall to practice songs and motions for Eskimo dance. Children are advised to sit still and listen. No child should be running around interrupting the singers and drummers. They should be learning just as well as they learn in school. Adults should teach the dance protocol. No chewing gum while dancing, look and follow the leader in front of you, and wear yurraq/dance attire to honer Ellam Yua/The Creator. Observe and learn how food is shared during the Thanksgiving celebration. Learn to taste new food in appreciation of being in a village. Learn the Yup ik values and especially the kinship system, use student s Yup ik names when you can. Learn the Yup ik dance protocol. When invited to feasts, go to show how much you appreciate their culture. Try new things when invited, like a steambath. Drummers, singers, and song composers gather to create new songs. Family song and dance are danced only with the family members and extended families. Each song and dance are learned by community members to recognize which songs belong to family and certain person. Dance attire is sewn by family members. Dance fans, drums, and dance headdresses are created only by family groups representing their family crests. Another village nearby is invited for the First Dance Celebration. Eskimo dances are danced by many different families and others. First family member catch is still celebrated. Songs are composed by drummers on past events or the drummers learn other dance group songs. Practice takes place in community halls and in the schools. Thanksgiving is celebrated with turkey, geese, and other food. Food is shared.
Uivik/December End of the Year and Preparation for New Year Calendar Sample of Kotlik Yup ik Version 2013 Last month of the year to prepare for the new year. We get ready to celebrate Christmas or holidays. We sew new clothing or buy some. We clean our homes and cook food to share. We share gifts of good fortune of food we gathered during the summer months for those unfortunate. We want to renew ourselves for the beginning of a new year. We celebrate with one another in thankfulness through our traditional dances and gift sharing. Observe the importance of Christmas celebration that has a strong meaning to the community. If invited to feasts, attend and enjoy. You can ask what families do at this time of the year. Ask residence about frostbites and hyperthermia. Limit outdoor activities due to cold, go with safety precautions. Take time to rest and relax with families. This time might be a great time to learn some of the Yup ik crafts, beading, sewing, and any indoor arts. Since Christianity, Christmas is celebrated respecting Ellam Yua, the Spirit Being. Food is shared with those who have less. Time to sew new clothing, fur and fabric. Awareness of cold weather and shorter days are observed. Christmas is celebrated both in school and in all different churches. Shorter daylight and coldness is observed. Travel with caution on snow machine is advised. Christmas break is anticipated. Sharing of gifts and celebration. Relaxation before the New Year.