Manokotak Sister School Exchange Program
Our Group
We are a group of middle school students from Manokotak Nunaniq School in Manokotak, Alaska. This year we are participating in the Sister School Exchange Program through the Alaska Humanities Forum and we will be traveling to Palmer, Alaska in February 2018. We are very excited and thankful for the opportunity to participate in this program.
Identity Maps
In this activity students identified areas of their lives that influence them and make them who they are.
Introductions to Sister School
Hi i’m Trinity I am half yup’ik and I am excited to go to Palmer because I never been there before. I am excited to learn about your culture and the ways you live.
Hi my name is Michael Alakayak my age is 11 and I am a full yup’ik.
Hi my name is Wanita Tugatuk I am 11 years old and I am in 6th grade and I am so happy to go in Palmer.
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Hi my name is Rylan I'm full yupik and I'm excited to go Palmer because its my first time going there.
Hi my name is Selena Ayojiak I am a full yup’ik I love chocolate it is my favorite candy, and I am so excited to go to Palmer so I can explore over there, and I am 12 years old plus I'm in 7th grade.
Elder Interview
Grace Gamechuck
We are in the process of calibrating all of our responses. Stay tuned!
Elder Interview KWL
Yupik Culture Bags
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Trinity Eager
Michael Alakayak
Selena Ayojiak
Rylan Gamechuck-Pavian
Wanita Tugatuk
Overcoming Challenges
Tree of Life
In this activity students created a tree of life. The roots represent challenges or stuggles in their lives and the leaves are things that they appreciate in their life or hope will one day be a part of their life (hopes and dreams). For student privacy I have cropped out the challenges.
Figuring Out Who 'We'Â Are
In this activity, students identified the various groups that they belong to. Students also identified group norms and unifying characteristics for each group.
Annotated Picture
In this activity students chose a photo of a woman cutting salmon and use it to describe some of the norms of the Yupik culture.
Movie Night
Students hosted a movie night to help earn spending money for their trip.
Learning about Stereotypes
In this activity students learned about stereotypes and generalizations, as well as some of the implications of stereotyping. Students also discussed stereotypes faced by the Yupik population and what stereotypes they may be placing on other cultures.
The Survey Says...
Students interviewed 10 different people throughout Manokotak with varying ages to determine what keeps people in our community.
You Know You Are From Manokotak When....
Comparing Cultural Norms
Students completed worksheets discussing what is considered normal within their families and within the community. We met with our sister school on google hangouts to compare our answers. We came across an interesting difference when comparing 2nd grade teachers. Our sister school students all had different teachers when all the students in our group had Mrs. Rhona for 2nd grade.
The 11 Elements of Community Life
Exploring Elements of Our Community
Valentine's Dance
Our last fundraiser before travel!
Travel Day
The Manokotak SSE team heads to Palmer!
Our journey started out bright and early with the team meeting at the school with all of our luggage and supplies for our adventure. First we made our way to Dillingham on a Bush plane and had lunch at the Bayside Diner. Then we flew into Anchorage and picked up our minivan that would take us to Palmer. It was Ms. Montgomery's first time driving a minivan but we survived! We finally made it Colony Middle School around 4:30 PM and the students went home with their host families.
Team Reflections
2.19.2018
2.20.2018
2.21.2018
2.22.2018
2.23.2018
2.24.2018
2.25.2018
2.26.2018
Volunteering
Our essential question for our trip addresses the homeless problem in Alaska. The students chose to volunteer their time at a soup kitchen to help them understand this epidemic in Alaska. We were welcomed at the Hope Downtown Kitchen in downtown Anchorage. The students helped to prepare desserts and then passed out soup and bread. After a couple of hours when it was time to head back to Colony, the students were begging to stay. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and the students all came out of it with new perspectives and a desire to volunteer again!
Trip to the Movies
Black Panther in 3D
Before leaving Manokotak students were able to fundraise funds that would allow them to do some fun activities, including a trip to Valley Cinema. This was the first 3D movie for the students and it did not disappoint. The students and chaperones all had a great time!
During our presentation to the school, SSE students stood up and described their experiences in the program. Students talked about the importance of sharing their culture, learning about the homeless, meeting and making new friends, as well as their best memories of Palmer.