Module 5: Balance: Past and Present
Historical Strengths
It is important to know that the shared past, the history of Alaska Native people, does not just include being the victim of diseases, boarding schools, and mistreatment. Native people survived for thousands of years and despite those traumas are still here and growing stronger.
LaVerne Demientieff, who grew up in Nenana and now teaches in UAF social work department, talks about the historical strengths Alaska Native people share.
Historical Wellness: Connecting to Our Strengths as a People, Part 1
LaVerne Demientieff, MSW, ABD. Deg Xit'an Athabascan
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Social Work Department
Click here to view or download the slides she uses in the presentation
In the video you saw LaVerne talk about how she defines herself as "a Deg Xit’an Athabascan and we are river people…the river sustains us, we have amazing strength of body and mind and spirit, and we are connected to everything.”
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Think about how you define yourself as a human being in this world. We will discuss this topic during class this week. |
