Make Prayers to the Raven: The Passage of Gifts

Summary

This script explores the traditional lifestyle and beliefs of the Koyukon Athabascan people living in Alaska's northern interior near the Arctic Circle. It delves into their deep connection with nature, viewing it as sacred and governed by ancestral spirits rather than a separate deity. The script narrates their hunting practices, respect for animals, and the importance of sharing and community in their culture. It also touches on the challenges of maintaining these traditions amidst modern influences like technology and western lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The script introduces an ancient, unwritten belief system that emphasizes respect and proper behavior towards nature, which has been passed down through generations among the Koyukon people.
• 🐦 The concept of the 'Raven' is central to the Koyukon's worldview, with the belief that the natural world is sacred and interconnected, and that everything in nature possesses a spirit.
• 🏞️ The Koyukon people live in the vast forest country near the Arctic Circle, with eleven settlements along the Yukon River and its tributaries, showcasing a deep connection to their homeland.
• 🎣 The script describes the traditional lifestyle of the Koyukon, which includes hunting, trapping, and fishing as means of sustaining their community.
• 🔄 It emphasizes the importance of respecting animals and the environment, suggesting that this respect is crucial for the success of hunting and the well-being of the community.
• 👴 The elders play a vital role in preserving and transmitting the cultural knowledge and values to the younger generations, ensuring the continuation of their traditions.
• 📚 The script mentions the influence of modernity, such as snow machines and store-bought goods, on the Koyukon way of life, highlighting the balance between tradition and change.
• 🌱 The script discusses the concept of 'luck' in hunting, which is tied to a hunter's respect for and relationship with the animals they hunt.
• 🍲 Potlatches, or community feasts, are highlighted as important social events where food is shared, traditional knowledge is passed down, and community bonds are strengthened.
• 🌱 The script concludes with the idea that the Koyukon people's traditional lifestyle and respect for nature may offer valuable lessons for all people on how to live sustainably with the environment.

Q & A

What is the significance of the raven in the beliefs of the Koyukon people?

The raven is considered a creator in the beliefs of the Koyukon people, similar to the role of God in Christian tradition. It is believed to have made the world and is seen as an ancestral figure that watches over the land and its people.

How are the Koyukon people related to the Athabascan family of people?

The Koyukon people are part of the Athabascan family, a group of indigenous people whose homeland extends across the Northwest quarter of the continent.

What is the importance of respecting animals in Koyukon culture?

In Koyukon culture, respecting animals is crucial as it is believed that animals will only give themselves to hunters who treat them with respect. Disrespect can lead to bad luck, making the animals 'invisible' to the hunter.

How do the Koyukon people's traditional ways of life impact the environment they live in?

The Koyukon people's traditional ways of life have minimal impact on the environment. They avoid wasting resources and killing beyond need, which helps to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of their homeland.

What is a potlatch and why is it significant in Koyukon culture?

A potlatch is a village feast where food is shared, and it is a significant social event in Koyukon culture. It serves to express gratitude, pass along traditional knowledge, and provide guidance for the younger generation.

How do the Koyukon people ensure the sustainability of natural resources like beavers?

The Koyukon people ensure the sustainability of natural resources by practicing responsible hunting and trapping methods. For example, they leave smaller beavers as 'seed' after catching one or two from a beaver house, allowing the population to be trapped for decades.

What is the role of the elder in passing on traditional knowledge to the younger generation?

Elders play a vital role in passing on traditional knowledge to the younger generation by teaching them about hunting, trapping, and respecting nature. They also provide guidance and share stories during social events like potlatches.

How does the Koyukon belief system view the natural world?

The Koyukon belief system views the natural world as a network of interconnected spirits. Every part of nature, including the moon, stars, earth, snow, plants, and animals, is believed to have a spirit that can be easily offended.

What changes are affecting the traditional way of life for the people of the Koyukon?

The traditional way of life for the Koyukon people is changing with the introduction of modern conveniences such as snow machines, store-bought clothing, chain saws, and canned goods.

Why is it important for a hunter to be humble and not boastful before a hunt according to Koyukon tradition?

In Koyukon tradition, a hunter should be humble and not boastful before a hunt because animals can understand even hushed words. Boasting may alert the animals to the hunter's plans, making them 'invisible' and leading to unsuccessful hunts.

What is the significance of sharing food within the Koyukon community?

Sharing food within the Koyukon community is a way of ensuring that everyone has enough to eat, especially during times of scarcity. It is also believed that the more food one gives away, the more luck and food will come back to them.

Outlines

00:00

🌲 Indigenous Beliefs and Connection to Nature

This paragraph introduces an ancient, unwritten belief system that guides the behavior of the Coy Yukon Indians towards the earth and its creatures. It describes the passing down of these beliefs through generations, emphasizing the respect and intricate relationship with nature. The Coy Yukon Indians, part of the Athabascan people, live in Alaska near the Arctic Circle and maintain a deep connection with their ancestral home. The script also discusses the impact of modernity on their traditional lifestyle, with new technologies and goods being integrated while they still hold onto their cultural practices.

05:03

🎣 The Role of Luck and Respect in Hunting

The second paragraph delves into the importance of luck and the favor of animals in hunting practices among the Coy Yukon people. It highlights how hunters must maintain a good relationship with the animals they hunt to ensure success. The narrative follows Alfred ATLA and Henry Williams, who are shown setting traps and hunting beavers, emphasizing the need for stealth and respect towards the animals. The cultural significance of respecting the natural world is underscored, as is the belief that disrespect can lead to bad luck or an inability to catch game.

10:03

🐾 The Spirituality of Hunting and Nature

This paragraph discusses the spiritual beliefs of the Coy Yukon people, who consider all animals and aspects of nature to possess a spirit that can be offended. It details the teachings of the elders about how to treat animals with respect during hunting to avoid bad luck. The narrative includes a young man, Wayne ATLA, learning these traditions and the importance of sharing the hunted meat within the community. The paragraph also touches on the concept of the 'invisible glow' that fades from an animal after it has been killed, reflecting the spiritual connection between the hunter and the hunted.

15:11

🛶 Sustainability and Sharing in the Koyukon Culture

The fourth paragraph focuses on the principles of sustainability and sharing within the Koyukon culture. It describes the practice of trapping beavers and the importance of leaving younger beavers to ensure the continuity of the population. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of sharing food, especially during times of scarcity, as a way to ensure good luck and maintain community bonds. The paragraph highlights the belief that generosity is rewarded and that violating nature's gifts can lead to misfortune.

20:57

🍲 Potlatch: Community Gatherings and Respect for Nature

This paragraph describes the potlatch, a community feast where villagers share food and express gratitude for the natural resources they have received. It details the preparation of moose head soup and the significance of sharing food within the community. The potlatch is portrayed as a social event that reinforces cultural ties, shares knowledge, and provides guidance to the younger generation. The paragraph also discusses the proper treatment of animal remains, such as returning the moose skin to the forest as a sign of gratitude, reflecting the deep respect for nature ingrained in the Koyukon culture.

26:01

🌱 The Cycle of Life and Environmental Stewardship

The final paragraph reflects on the cycle of life and the moral responsibility the Koyukon people feel towards their environment. It discusses the careful treatment of the moose's spirit as a sign of respect and gratitude for the gift of its life. The narrative suggests that the traditional lifestyle of the Koyukon people has allowed their homeland to remain undamaged over thousands of years, offering potential lessons for environmental stewardship. The paragraph concludes with a look forward to the coming of spring in the Keokuk Valley and acknowledges the funding sources for the series.

Keywords

💡Raven

In the context of the video, Raven is a central figure in the traditional beliefs of the Koyukon people, symbolizing the creator of the world and the source of their ancient wisdom. The Raven is seen as an ancestral guide, with the power to influence luck and the natural world. The script mentions 'the world was made by Dotson saw the great Raven,' illustrating the deep connection between the people's spirituality and their everyday lives.

💡Koyukon

The Koyukon are a group of indigenous people living in the vast forest regions near the Arctic Circle in Alaska. The term is used in the script to describe the main subjects of the video, whose traditional way of life and deep connection to nature are explored. The Koyukon people are part of the Athabascan family, and their lifestyle is intricately linked to the natural environment they inhabit.

💡Athabascan

Athabascan refers to a larger family of indigenous peoples whose homeland stretches across the northwest quarter of the North American continent. The Koyukon are a part of this larger group. The script mentions that 'the Koyukon belonged to a family of people's called Athabascan,' highlighting the shared cultural and historical ties among these diverse indigenous groups.

💡Potlatch

A potlatch is a traditional social event among the Koyukon and other indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, where food and other goods are shared among community members. The script describes a potlatch where 'villagers gather to share the best foods from the land,' emphasizing the importance of generosity and community bonds in their culture.

💡Respect for Nature

Throughout the script, there is a recurring theme of respect for nature and all living things. This is evident in the way the Koyukon people interact with animals and the environment, as they believe that everything in nature has a spirit that can be offended. The script states, 'the traditional koyukon teach that everything in nature is aware and sensitive,' underscoring the spiritual reverence they hold for the natural world.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is a key concept in the video, as it relates to the Koyukon people's approach to hunting and using natural resources. The script mentions that 'natural resources are limited that they must avoid wasting meat or killing beyond need,' highlighting their understanding of the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.

💡Trapper

A trapper, as depicted in the script, is someone who catches animals, particularly beavers, for their fur and meat. The role of a trapper is crucial in the Koyukon community, as it provides food and materials for clothing. The script describes the process of trapping and the respect that trappers have for the animals they catch, reflecting the cultural values of sustainability and reverence for nature.

💡Cultural Traditions

Cultural traditions are the practices, beliefs, and customs passed down through generations. The script discusses how the Koyukon people maintain their traditions despite modern influences, such as 'snow machines, store-bought clothing, chain saws, and canned goods.' These traditions include rituals, stories, and ways of interacting with the natural world, which are integral to their identity and way of life.

💡Luck

In the context of the video, luck is closely tied to the respect and treatment one gives to animals and the natural world. The script mentions that 'a hunter must be careful in what he says, because all animals can understand even hushed words,' suggesting that a hunter's luck is influenced by his actions and attitudes. This belief reinforces the cultural values of respect and harmony with nature.

💡Moral Responsibility

The script emphasizes the moral responsibility the Koyukon people feel towards their environment, as seen in the phrase 'tradition binds the Koyukon people to a strict code of moral responsibility toward their environment.' This responsibility is reflected in their sustainable hunting practices, respect for animal spirits, and the careful management of natural resources.

💡Land and Culture

The relationship between land and culture is a central theme in the video, as the Koyukon people's identity and way of life are deeply intertwined with the land they inhabit. The script states, 'the culture and the land are intermingled you can't really separate the cultures and land in our people,' indicating that their cultural practices and beliefs are shaped by and reflect their connection to the natural world.

Highlights

An ancient, unwritten belief system exists that guides interactions with nature.

The Coy Yukon Indians have a deep connection with the natural world and its spirits.

The Athabascan people's homeland spans across the Northwest quarter of the continent.

The traditional lifestyle of the Coy Yukon is explored, focusing on their relationship with the land.

Respect for animals and nature is a cornerstone of Coy Yukon culture.

The concept of 'luck' in hunting is tied to a hunter's relationship with the animals.

The importance of sharing resources within the community is emphasized.

The spiritual significance of animals like the moose and the beaver in Coy Yukon culture.

The belief that all parts of nature have a spirit that can be offended.

The practice of leaving 'seed' beavers to ensure sustainability.

The impact of modernization on the traditional lifestyle of the Coy Yukon.

The significance of potlatches in the community for sharing food and passing on knowledge.

The intermingling of culture and land is integral to the Coy Yukon identity.

The moral responsibility towards the environment as a tradition among the Coy Yukon.

The practice of returning animal parts to the wild as a gesture of gratitude.

The potential lessons for modern society from the traditional life ways of the Coy Yukon.

The cyclical nature of life and giving back to the land as demonstrated by the Coy Yukon.

Transcripts

there is an older way of seeing the

world another version of Genesis

unwritten but ancient and mysterious

another set of Commandments telling of

proper ways to behave toward the earth

toward animals plants everything in

nature this intricate system of beliefs

and principles has been kept for

generations in the memories of elders

passed on in cabins and camps to those

who listened while cold wind whispers in

the surrounding forests this world was

made by dotson saw the great Raven in a

time too distant to comprehend some of

Dotson saws power indoors in his

descendants who watch over his domain

from the treetops and high hillsides a

coy Yukon indian hunter seeing a raven

overhead may speak to it Sika old

grandfather bring us good luck this is

the ancestral home of the coy yukon

indians who hunt trapped fish and live

in this vast forest country near the

Arctic Circle there are eleven koyukon

settlements along the Yukon River and

its largest tributary the kaya cook in

Alaska's northern interior this program

and the ones to follow will explore life

in the kaya cook River villages

especially the ways people live on the

land and the relationships they keep

with the natural world

the coy Yukon belonged to a family of

people's called Athabascan whose

homeland stretches across the entire

Northwest quarter of our continent only

the Eskimo a separate people with a

different cultural tradition live

farther north this is the world Raven

made here nature is not governed by God

as in Christian tradition nature is God

ancestors of the coy Yukon have lived

here for at least 10,000 years yet the

land is as beautiful and wild today as

it was in the beginning how have they

touched their environment so that

scarcely a trace of their presence can

be seen in the wild land away from their

villages the traditional ways that Khoya

con people behaved toward their natural

surroundings may provide the answer

everything you know like pollution head

skin yeah Johnny man used to tell me

that take that way off from the village

to hold it away where there's nobody go

run that way you can keep your luck too

this is a time of great change for the

people of the Keokuk River as a new way

of life develops snow machines

store-bought clothing chain saws and

canned goods are examples of this change

but the Koyuk on keep a strong hold on

many of their traditions while they

choose to live in the 20th century we

can see what is modern but we must watch

and listen carefully to discover what is

uniquely call uconn it's your turn nice

and warm huh

I won't have to clear the water you can

just see your snows down there

I just can't catch the Mulrooney depend

on luck skill and knowledge are

essential for the hunt but equally

important is a hunter's favour with the

animals his luck of the one who has good

luck the koi akan people may say

something took care of him

lakes and ponds dot the landscape of

interior Alaska they are home to the

beaver and highway for the trapper who

must travel long distances in his

searches hunters cover these distances

more quickly now than they did a few

years ago when people relied on dogs

Alfred ATLA is from Hughes a village

located about 200 miles northwest of

Fairbanks

just below the Arctic Circle and you try

to set your set on the inside of the

feed pilot one side or the other Henry

Williams is from Allakaket

a neighboring village 60 miles upriver

yeah the big one come out first

after you make noise he's investigate

make sure the coast is clear very lucky

with B word oh Henry once in a great

while I get up you come after this meat

he's supposed to and when he does come

out for the bait he he fight it off

right next to the ice come all the way

up that's when he's supposed to get

caught right in the middle

I hope I don't stick it into my snares

when we don't make sure you have a

chance to see the damn thing

alfrid Atlas Sun wane like many of the

younger co Yukon he is attended school

outside his village and is well educated

in the white man's way but he's also

deeply interested in his own traditions

and learning the ways of his parents and

grandparents he has lived in a city but

now wishes to strengthen his ties to the

village and to the surrounding homeland

in this stand of trees not far from

Hughes he cuts firewood a vital resource

where the deep cold of winter lasts for

half the year

I like living off the land and I like

living with my people right now I'm just

in the initial stages of learning our

culture

I'm beginning to look at the land and

the animals at a broader view and I'm

learning from learning from my grandpa

learning from my dad and they're very

important as to me as as my teachers

the culture and the lander are

intermingled you can't really separate

the cultures and land in our people it's

not superstition it's something that's

evolved over thousands of years that's

been practiced from one generation to

the next you do something wrong to a

Wolverine a wolf or Lynx if if you don't

treat them right and you don't respect

them you're not gonna catch that animal

for a while it's it's not just

superstition it's something that's true

like all creatures in Ravens world the

Moose is more than just an animal

the Khoya khan hunter watching a moose

knows that he too is watched but this is

not a kind of seeing done with eyes a

hunter must be careful in what he says

because all animals can understand even

hushed words spoken far away in the

village

knowing this a man preparing to hunt

might say only that he's going out to

look around this way the animals will

not know of his plans nor will he sound

so proud as to be certain that he can

find them a young man like Wayne ATLA

has much to learn about the animals and

how to hunt them among the first lessons

the elders teach is that animals will

give themselves only to people who treat

them with respect for the disrespectful

hunter it is as if the animals became

invisible tracks may lead to emptiness

as if nothing had made them for the

respectful hunter they may quickly lead

to what he seeks

an animal does not die all at once

something fades from it slowly like an

invisible glow that dims over days weeks

even months the moose has cut apart its

pieces put in different places but there

is still an awareness in its remains if

even a part of it is treated badly the

animal will know

the traditional koyukon teach that

everything in nature is aware and

sensitive the moon and stars the earth

and snow the plants and animals every

part of the natural world has a spirit

that can easily be offended it is said

that a hunter who ignores this power and

offends an animal will be punished with

bad luck sickness even death Wayne will

take the meat hide the fat and some of

the organs home soup made from the head

is a special delicacy saved for village

feasts called potlatches

this is gonna be good at the potlatch

delicious I'm gonna cut the ribs type s

around for quite that I got some meat

out there I want to pass it around I'll

give you guys something I guess huh

yeah okay yeah okay yeah that's it

mm-hmm somewhere in everything

you want to give someone who takes a

moose when meat is scarce should share

most of it there is a koi you can save

the more food you give away the more

food comes back people are encouraged to

be generous by the promise of luck

young men learn important skills by

helping more experienced rappers usually

never get nothing first time yeah the

first time yeah no I should know beaver

this is not an easy country the old

people tells stories of hardship and

starvation the coy Yukon know that

natural resources are limited that they

must avoid wasting meat or killing

beyond need as among all people some of

the core Yukon villagers believe and

obey others do not but all are warned

that if a person violates nature his

luck may vanish what comes from nature

here is a gift

men from hues check their trap lines

every few days after catching one or two

animals from a beaver house the trapper

pulls out his snares leaving the smaller

beaver as seed this way each house may

be trapped for decades

trappers speak with pride of their

ability to take care of the country that

you

you know

closed today got to be little bit in

show you how to do it

watch this is first time that you could

watch this - you have to watch this part

here

beaver are an important source of food

and their hides are valuable for

clothing and for trade Bieber also have

a very powerful spirit Joe beaters

teaches that a person who cuts up a

beaver must not only know how to butcher

the meat but also the ways to do it

respectfully

if the throat is cut your blood is

spilled where someone might step over it

beaver will shun that trappers snares

there's not much blood in this neck of a

chain cut that blood vein before you

finish you could let all

you could blood all over the floor you

know it's alright if you do it on top

the cardboard but you can spoil your

luck that little yeah that's what they

say anyway you can cut them up like that

and hang them up month on the fish camp

- yeah strip like that then they could

dry or tattoo before seizure come here

show cotton in the pan you know the

water and then let it soak overnight and

boil it that's what my mother used to do

really good there's lots of things that

you can stir now you need to know maybe

you wouldn't believe it but it's better

to know because that you people inside

Helen Adler prepares Moosehead soup for

a potlatch where villagers gather to

share the best foods from the land and

also food from the community store no

social event is of greater importance

speeches are given before a potlatch

usually by the elders to thank those who

gave food to pass along traditional

knowledge and to provide guidance for

the younger people cities putlitz food

potlatches I see this ever since I was

little boy a Pollock occurred when I go

someplace I see people doing it all over

town run Yukon and all we have Tanana

River - I've been into mental a

Bennington Nenana they do the same thing

some people making soup that's pretty

good you know that's what our cultures

used to do even out camp to go in one

tent and then they had food once in a

while because you take time to people

people that you start always keep this

up and I'm glad that you people do this

cooking Thank You gathered together for

a potlatch the people of Hughes

expressed the most important links in

their lives their social connections to

each other their physical dependence on

the harvest and their spiritual ties to

the natural community

I won't get rid of this bone over there

Alfred Adler takes bones from the moose

back to the woods to bait traps set for

fur animals like Fox and Wolverine but

he also returns the skin from the

Moose's head to this quiet place in the

forest as a final gesture of gratitude

when your skin they hit you you're not

supposed to put it were under trailer

some support windows hanging up photos

no even though we traveled back but

anyway the cycle is complete the moose

has given itself to the hunter and

through him and his family to the other

villagers in turn they have treated its

spirit carefully showing that they're

worthy of this great gift tradition

binds the co Yukon people to a strict

code of moral responsibility toward

their environment here is the reason why

though they have lived here for

thousands of years their homeland

remains undamaged there may be lessons

for all people in the traditional life

ways of the coy Yukon

late winter days are brilliant with

sunshine temperatures are rising and the

longest season will soon end spring will

come to the Keokuk Valley

major funding for this series was

provided by KOAT CTV University of

Alaska Fairbanks Arco Alaska

incorporated and quite cloud Sena

limited to learn more about koyukon

athabascan culture read Richard K

Nelson's book make prayers to the Raven