Impact of Assistance Programs on Indigenous Ways of Life in 12 Rural Remote Western Alaska Native Communities: Elder Perspectives Shared in Formative Work for the “Got Neqpiaq?” Project

For more than 50 years, government programmes in the USA have been in place to help those in need have consistent access to food and education. However, questions have surfaced regarding whether or not these support impact traditional ways, such as cultural activities, food preferences, and overall...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal of Circumpolar Health
Main Authors: Amanda K. Walch, Kathryn A. Ohle, Kathryn R. Koller, Lucinda Alexie, Flora Lee, Lea Palmer, Jennifer Nu, Timothy K. Thomas, Andrea Bersamin
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022
Subjects:
alaska native
indigenous
elders
food and nutrition assistance
traditional foods
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Arctic
Yukon
Circumpolar Health
International Journal of Circumpolar Health
Kuskokwim
Alaska
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2021.2024679
https://doaj.org/article/2c90a0f2a7b847f8a42b938055c0f461
Description
Summary:For more than 50 years, government programmes in the USA have been in place to help those in need have consistent access to food and education. However, questions have surfaced regarding whether or not these support impact traditional ways, such as cultural activities, food preferences, and overall health, particularly for Indigenous populations. In this paper, we share insights voiced by Alaska Native Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Alaska and their perceptions of regulations, assistance, and the impact government assistance programmes have had on their culture. Elders raised concerns so that those administering these programmes will consider how best to meet food security and education needs without interfering with Indigenous cultural practices and traditional lifestyle.

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