Honoring Indigenous Alaskan elders

When most people hear the word ‘elder’, they immediately would think of someone old. Maybe a grandparent or an old close family friend. Maybe they were taught to respect their elders when they disrespect a parent or grandparent. To most, the word elder wouldn’t make them bat an eye. In Alaska however, the idea of being an elder has very deep meaning and importance to society. If an Indigenous Alaskan is old, it does not mean they are an elder, as there are distinct differences between them. In Indigenous Alaskan culture, an elder is someone who has lived an extended life, who maintains a healthy lifestyle similar to their ancestors, and they must contain a wealth of knowledge of cultural, geographical, and historical information. An elder in Alaska provides guidance to the community. It’s worth noting that many older adults in Alaska hold the status of elder. Elders are highly respected, but not every adult is able to reach the experience and knowledge levels to become an elder. This differentiation is made so that the youth in a community desire and respect the elders of the community, as it is a highly respected role to have. Spirituality to Native Alaskans, and specifically elders, is one of the most important principles in living a successful life. Elders directly equate their spirituality to their ideas of well-being and a healthy lifestyle. Communities and even outsiders should strive to care for their elders. Elders are the wisdom-keepers for the community, but they also comprise the most economically disadvantaged group in the entire nation. Many are also at risk of financial exploitation and neglect. Because of the high risk many elder Alaskans are in, it’s crucial that they are respected and cared for in society. It’s worth noting that in Indigenous Alaskan culture, society is run by a matriarch, and the elder women are the decision makers and leaders of the community. This is in opposition to how much of the United States is run, with men being the majority of the leaders. This becomes problematic because even though within their communities the elders are respected more than anyone else, outsiders have historically had a difficult time respecting the elders, even if they have the best intentions. For example, one day on the Kenai Peninsula, I was meeting a friend's family. The grandmother was an elder, and requested I dance a traditional dance for her. Due to shyness and not wanting to offend the traditional dance, I chose to politely smile, chuckle, and decline. I learned the next day that saying no to an elder is extremely disrespectful. Although the elder I met understood I hadn’t known that about their culture, she was still upset that I wasn’t willing to dance for her. To one that lives within the culture itself, saying no to an elder is one of the worst things someone can do. It’s for all of these reasons that elders should be treated with care, respect, and honored. I believe that many other cultures should adopt a method similar to this. In the United States, as the life-expectancy increased due to science, worth has shifted from reaching a certain age to reaching a certain wealth. I believe it’s worth attempting to have a much deeper meaning in our own saying, ‘honor your elders’.