What's Up Archive
Record of past Cultural Happenings, meetings and events.
(most recent changes shown at top of page)
(Archive Created June 6, 2006)

Mr. Elwin Estle has posted some wonderful photos of school children in Mekoryuk taken in the late 1950s, they are accessible on Flickr at the following link: http://flickr.com/photos/21671210@N04/
Thank you Mr. Estle and we look forward to seeing more! A couple of new ideas we have initiated in the village include the posting of monthly Cup'ig phrases and old photos to public bulletin boards; also we are conducting bi-monthly men’s community house and women’s meetings. Men and women meet separately at different rooms within our school, where we gather and exchange traditional cultural information, especially with respect to Cup'ig values. (December 4, 2007)

As mentioned above (Director's Message) NPT staff are actively working on listening to and transcribing tapes made from the years 1986-1991 with elders in support of historical place and cemetery site land claims. Initially we are focusing on the words of our most esteemed elder at that time, Nuratar (Andrew Noatak). We intend to translate his words for inclusion into a future publication and to also develop Nuniwarmiut School curriculum based on his knowledge and that of the other elders who have now mostly passed. We hope their wisdom will live on. This work is made possible through grants provided by the Administration of Native Americans and the Bureau of Indian Affairs ANCSA Office. We thank them - Quyana. (October 29, 2007)

Uyuraqural^zrig, "Sibling Brothers"
By Nuratar Andrew Noatak was recently published by the University of Alaska Press
The traditional tale told by Nuratar in 1986 and translated and transcribed by Howard T. Amos with editing and an introduction by Robert Drozda appears in a recent collection of Alaska Native Eskimo literature titled:
Words of the Real People
Alaska Native Literature in Translation

Unfortunately in the published volume the title was mispelled and we have corrected it here on our website.

(October 15, 2007)

NPT Receives Another Major Language Grant.
We have just been informed of award of a 3-year grant from the Administration of Native Americans to continue our Native Language education, preservation and continuance efforts. We are very grateful and excited to receive this grant to continue our important mission. More details soon. (August 22, 2007)

Avian Flu Research Continues for Second Year.
Mekoryuk is one of ten western villages where migratory bird samples are being collected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation. The two organizations are partners in the program to test for the H5NI virus (Avian flu).

Six species identified by FWS are Tundra Swan, Lesser Snow Goose, Black Brant, Pintail, Long-tailed Duck and King Eider, with a goal of collecting 300 samples per village.

Hunters can keep their catch after the village testing manager swabs it for a sample. YKHC states there is no reason to fear hunting or eating migratory birds. The bird flu is not a human flu and it has not been detected on the North American Continent.

More Information : http://www.ykhc.org/1393.cfm; http://www.fws.gov/home/avianflu/
(May 16, 2007)

Agayunerpakegcikici - you all have a Merry Christmas

Qusngim Kevga, December 7 - 9, 2006 in Mekoryuk.

NPT recently received award notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services, Administration for Native Americans (ANA) for our 3rd and final year Language grant. The monies will allow our staff in conjunction with the Nuniwarmiut School to continue the important work of providing language skills training and developing Cup'ig language reading materials for students. (September 25, 2006)

The Nuniwarmiut Kassiyurtait dancers were invited to the AFN Quyana Night. It will be the groups third performance at AFN. Nuniwarmiut Kassiyurtain perform on Thursday October 26, 2006 at 9:00 pm. The majority of our dancers are now high school and junior high students. (September 25, 2006) PHOTO

We are on the beginning stages of planning for our 2006 Reindeer Festival. Our festival is tentatively scheduled for December 7-9, 2006 . Hope you will be here. (July 20, 2006)

Unusually large quantities of Chum Salmon have been reported by subsistence fishers in many of the streams on Nunivak. (July12, 2006)

Nunivak Island Subsistence Cod, Red Salmon and Grayling Fisheries - Past and Present. Field work including sea and stream sampling and survey of commercial and subsistence fishers mid-June. (Sponsored by NPT and USF&WS)

Ellikarmiut Summer Science Field Program is in it's third year. View their Blog here.

Nunivak Island Subsistence Cod, Red Salmon and Grayling Fisheries - Past and Present. Field work including sea and stream sampling and survey of commercial and subsistence fishers mid-June. (Sponsored by NPT and USF&WS) (posted June 2006)

Ellikarmiut Summer Science Field Program is in it's third year. Campers will be at Nash Harbor, June 12 - 30th, 2006. (Sponsored by NIMA Corporation, UAF Kuskokwim Campus, USF&WS Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and Alaska Outdoor Center)(posted June 2006)

NPT on April 4, 2006 submitted a proposal to the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Native Americans to secure funds for the first phase of planning for a multifunction office and cultural center for the village. The project will partner local government, business and non-profit organizations in a plan to consolidate offices under one roof. (posted April 2006)