The Magic of the Atikluk Departing from the normal newsletter format of my weekly report, I'd like to talk about an idea and an ideal. The basis of my thinking lies in the mission statement we have received from our Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly with regard to economic development. They have requested development that is "consistent with the traditional culture and values of our region."

The Assembly's desire to retain our Inupiat culture is not unique. We hear it from our elders every time they meet. We hear it annually at the AFN Convention. And many of us feel it in our hearts every day.

At the Borough we try to maintain tradition by encouraging a renaissance of Native arts and crafts and protecting the natural resources that enable subsistence hunting and fishing. The Kotzebue IRA focuses on preservation of the language with their wonderful Nikaitchuat Ilisagvait school. However, there are also gestures that could be made at the individual village level that could have a significant impact on both the economy and way of life - if the people so choose.

The atikluk is a symbol of our Inupiat heritage in this region, yet we see them worn less and less frequently by our young people. Even when our schools recognize our culture on an occasional "special" day, very few students wear them. Instead, our children typically wear clothing that is manufactured in the Lower 48 or overseas. The dollars that buy that clothing simply disappear from the village, along with that part of the Inupiaq spirit that is embodied in the atitkluk and other traditional clothing.

For the sake of discussion, let's just imagine that a village decided to have children wear atikluks to school on a regular basis. Suddenly there would be a strong market for some clothing that could not be ordered from Anchorage. Women throughout that village would be busily (and very happily) sewing and selling or trading their products to others within the village. Young girls would develop an interest in making the clothes they wear and they would be learning from elders. A very substantial cottage industry would evolve overnight. And when our children looked into a mirror, they would feel Inupiaq pride.

There are many forces working against us in our mission to maintain our culture. Television is certainly a major one. However, there is one force that can overcome all the outside influences if we just choose to use it. And that is the strength of our own convictions and our willingness to take control of our own destiny.