Alaska Native men's voices: tracking masculinities through indigenous gender constructs

• Main Author: Apok, Charlene Aqpik
• Other Authors: Topkok, Sean Asiqłuq, Rasmus, Stacy, Million, Dian, Demientieff, La Verne Xilegg
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Masculinity; Alaska; Indigenous men; Social life; Customs; Social conditions; Identity; Alaska Natives; Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies; Arctic; Canada; Fairbanks; New Zealand; Savage Islands
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/12535

Dissertation (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2021 Alaska Native Men's Voices, an exploratory project, begins to make visible experiences of what it means to identify as an Indigenous male. Indigenous sovereignty includes practice of Indigenous gender knowledge systems. Self- determination of health and wellness by honoring relationships necessitates the affirmation of Alaska Native Men's voices. The complexity and diversity of Indigenous masculinity cannot be homogenized or made into one definition; these are not the goals of the research. This project aimed to articulate how Alaska Native men self- identify, what meaningful intersections of lived experiences can be drawn, and how do these inform healthy gender relations for future generations. The approach in research methods, how the project was done, articulates values of Indigenous led research and scholarship. Findings from shared stories, 18 individual semi-structured interviews, describe notions of Indigenous masculinities rooted in cultural foundations, knowing one's self, having a sense of belonging, and honor relationships from individual, to family and community. Expansive understandings of holistic wellness include narrative of emotional and spiritual healing. Illustrations of ancestral connection and continuance are put forward by participants as expressions of love for future generations of Alaska Native men. Center for Alaska Native Health Research, Native Movement, the CIRI Foundation, and the Bering Straits Foundation Chapter 1: Introduction -- Indigenous masculinities, health and gender relations -- North America, United States and Canada: 'inventing the savage' -- Islands of Hawai'i and Aotearoa (New Zealand) -- Arctic -- AlterNative axioms in viewing gender -- North America: United States and Canada -- Islands of Hawai'i and Aotearoa (New Zealand) -- Arctic -- Affirming indigenous masculinities: Alaska Native Men's Voices project. Chapter 2: A review of masculinities: contextualizing Alaska Native men's voices (Literature and ...