VOA慢速英语--阿拉斯加当地人用古老的传统来解决心理健康问题

Alaska Natives Use Ancient Traditions to Fight Mental Health Problems

For thousands of years, the Yup'ik people of Alaska have depended on cultural traditions for their way of life. From one generation to the next, Yup’ik community leaders passed on their knowledge and skills to younger members of the tribe¹.

Now, some of these traditions may prove helpful to fighting substance abuse, depression and suicide² within the Alaska Native community.

Knowledge from tradition

Over the years, the lives of the Yup’ik people centered around the qasgiq, a house where many men lived and worked. Community celebrations were often held in the qasgiq. Most importantly, this also is where community leaders passed on their knowledge to the next generation.

"Our ancestors and grandfathers were like psychologists," said Billy Charles, a fisherman and former mayor of Emmonak, a rural town in southwestern Alaska.

"They had a system of early childhood development in place, and with every teaching, they'd say, ‘It may not apply to you now, but later on in life when you meet the challenge, you'll know what to do.'"

Today, Charles serves as a researcher in the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Center for Alaska Native Health Research. He works to prevent health problems, such as drug abuse and suicide, in native communities.

Problems tied to colonization³

Research shows that Alaska Native youth have a greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse than any other population group in the state. In 2015, more children died from suicide than any other cause.

The reasons have been linked to the shock of colonization. Russia established colonies in Alaska in the 18th century. In 1867, the United States purchased the territory from Russia.

As with Native American children in other parts of the U.S, the government removed Alaska Native children from their families and placed them in Christian⁴ schools. There, the boys and girls were required to give up their language, culture or religion.

Today, Alaska Native communities face a number of problems: poverty, poor housing, under-employment, drug abuse, violence and mental health issues.

The location of villages is also an issue, noted⁵ Evon Peter, an administrator⁶ for rural, community and Native education at the university. Peter is a Neetsaii Gwich'in and Koyukon Native from Arctic⁷ Village in northeastern Alaska. He told VOA that most Alaskan villages are very rural, and not connected by roads.

"For me to travel from Fairbanks to some of our villages, it's two days of travel and at least three different plane rides, sometimes costing as much as $2,000,” Peter said. He added this creates many difficulties for people to find work or receive medical or behavioral health care.

Climate change also creates problems for some communities, said Stacy Rasmus of the Center for Alaska Native Health Research.

"Alaska Native people are still very subsistence-based, very dependent on land-based food," Rasmus noted. She added that communities that hunt whales are finding it more dangerous to travel through ice, and some villages are having to move because they are losing land to rising ocean levels.

New solutions from the past

However, Rasmus said not all Native Alaskans are at risk of drug addiction⁸ or suicide. Earlier research has shown that Natives who are more connected to their traditional culture and language are less likely to take their own lives.

Rasmus and Charles have developed a cultural-based training and teaching guide called the Qungasvik, the Yup'ik word for "toolbox." Traditionally, Qungasviks were wooden boxes Yup'ik men used to keep tools and tobacco. They are designed to help young people build resiliency.

The book, available online, has 36 activities based on Yup'ik traditions. One of them involves recreating the qasgig to provide young people a way to connect with older community members. This can help them learn about their culture and history, develop life skills and take part in community life.

"Our elders instruct us that... we must gather together, hold hands and form a circle around our youth, sheltering them from evil," said Josie Edmund, in a video that is part of the Qungasvik.

"The point is to communicate to children that… you are valuable members of our community, and therefore, have much to live for."

This month, tribal⁹ representatives and mental health experts met with University of Alaska researchers for the first Statewide Gathering¹⁰ to Celebrate and Support Community Strengths. The goal of the meeting was to have experts come to share success stories and develop the best ways for improving mental health in native communities.

I’m Phil Dierking.

Words in This Story

apply - v. to have an effect on someone or something?

challenge - n. something that is hard to do?

elder - n. a person who has authority because of age and experience?

instruct - v. to teach (someone) a subject, skill, etc. ?

psychologist - n. a scientist who specializes in the study and treatment of the mind and behavior?

subsistence - adj. where people produce food to eat themselves rather than to sell.?

tobacco - n. a plant that produces leaves which are smoked in cigarettes, pipes, etc.

1 tribe   

n.部落，种族，一伙人

参考例句：

• This is a subject tribe.这是个受他人统治的部落。
• Many of the tribe's customs and rituals are as old as the hills.这部落的许多风俗、仪式都极其古老。

2 suicide   

n.自杀，自毁，自杀性行为

参考例句：

• The number of suicide has increased.自杀案件的数量增加了。
• The death was adjudged a suicide by sleeping pills.该死亡事件被判定为服用安眠药自杀。

3 colonization   

殖民地的开拓，殖民，殖民地化； 移殖

参考例句：

• Colonization took place during the Habsburg dynasty. 开拓殖民地在哈布斯堡王朝就进行过。
• These countries took part in the colonization of Africa. 这些国家参与非洲殖民地的开发。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

7 Arctic   

adj.北极的；n.北极

参考例句：

• They flew over the unlimited reaches of the Arctic.他们飞过了茫茫无边的北极上空。
• The sort of animal lived in the Arctic Circle.这种动物生活在北极圈里。

8 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

9 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

10 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。