Every summer, Social Studies Instructional Lead Jeff Patrick and his family spend a few days in Alaska, where he and his wife grew up. They visit a small fishing village near Juneau, Alaska鈥檚 capital, where Patrick used to live and where his family still resides. These trips are a way for him to connect to his culture and for his kids to discover their heritage.
Patrick grew up in a mixed household: His mom was half-native Alaskan, and his dad was white. Growing up, he wasn鈥檛 connected to his native Alaskan side, but he acknowledges that his respect for nature stems from growing up around native Alaskan culture.
鈥淕rowing up in a partially native household really shows that kind of direct connection between people and the land,鈥 Patrick said. Patrick鈥檚 grandmother, who grew up in the 1930s, lived on the Aleutian Islands 鈥 a chain of 50 islands off Alaska鈥檚 coast.
During World War II, fearing its citizens would fraternize with the Russian and Japanese governments, the U.S. government moved Patrick鈥檚 grandmother to Alaska鈥檚 mainland. According to Patrick, his family lost much of his grandmother鈥檚 culture after the move.
鈥淢y grandmother, because she was one of the only Aleutians in this area, didn鈥檛 preserve much of that culture,鈥 Patrick said. 鈥淪o, growing up, (our family) was more familiar with what was going on (in Alaska), especially in terms of foods and such.鈥
As Patrick鈥檚 children discovered their heritage, he began to connect further with his culture.
鈥淭hey would ask some questions, and I wouldn鈥檛 actually know,鈥 he said. 鈥淪o then, we would reach out (to organizations).鈥
Patrick鈥檚 children applied for college scholarships through some of these organizations, requiring Patrick to research them. As a result, he learned more about local native Alaskan history and traditions.
These organizations also hold activities for families. Patrick has done weaving and moccasin-making projects with his daughter. Patrick has rekindled his familiarity with his culture through these family experiences.
鈥淚 try connecting my own children with their heritage, but Alaska has also been a learning experience for me,鈥 he said.