Wangkuta Qanriarait Nanvarparmiut Yugestun
Cama’i Igyararmiut. Kristuussaq Yuurtuq! (Christ is Born!) Allrakuqegtaarmek Piamci (Happy New Year to All). Our Yup’ik language program enjoyed gathering at Dallia Andrew’s twice a week to practice our Slavi songs in Yugestun. We learned how to sing 3 songs: “Thy Birth Oh Christ”, “A Virgin Today Gives Birth”, and “Star of the East”. Each apprentice learned the three Yup’ik verses, and most also learned how to sing “Atavut” or “The Lord’s Prayer.” Lastly, we were introduced to the “Thank You” song but need to practice it more. On January 7, we slavied house to house, alternating in Yup’ik and Slavonic and remembering our elders in reverence; it was joyous to hear our indigenous language, feasting, and celebrating the birth of Christ together.
After Slavi festivities, we welcomed language mentor Evelyn Yanez, Cautekaq, back to Igiugig for one month to conduct quarterly evaluations of apprentices. She assisted in teaching elementary, piipiit unglu (baby language nest), and community classes. In the evenings, she translated a host of elementary aged books from English to Yup’ik, and typed up our oldest Russian Orthodox Church songs. It was wonderful to have her, and she was happy with the progress we’ve made as a community.
We have been practicing Yuraq every Friday, and gathering as time allows to practice group Master-Apprentice. A few vocabulary words the elementary have focused on this month are winter gear:
uyaqurrilitaq (scarf), paallaguaq (fur hat), aliimatek (mittens), ullirtaq (coat), uqurrsuk (hat), and sap’akiq (boots). “Allu’kek sap’akiigken! Alluku ullirtaten! (Put on your shoes, put on your coat). Yuulukek sap’akiigken, yuuluku ullirtaten! (Take them off).
The community classes have focused on kaviaq (fox), cukauq (fast), utertuq (return), tekituq (arrive), ikamraq (dogsled). They are expanding on making longer sentences with older vocabulary such as “neryuumiitellruunga” (I didn’t want to eat). And working with new post bases such as:
“Piitaq-qaa tekitellruuq tengaurcuutekun?” “Qang’a, Piitaq tekiciiquq unuaqu.” (Piitaq arrived by airplane? No, Piitaq will arrive tomorrow).
Our twins are nearing nine months and can already say “Mama” “Dada”. I am waiting for the moment to hear “Waqaa,” or “Kenkamken,” my most spoken phrases to them (Hello, I love you). I am feeling the pressure to learn faster and speak more to counteract the English they are engulfed in. If you know any Yup'ik at all, please speak to Igiugig babies in our language so that they can pick it up as a first language. This is the ultimate goal of our program. Quyana for sharing this journey with us!
