OUR DEATH IS OUR STRONGEST SURVIVING TRADITION: A Guest Essay by the Artist of Our Cover Image
OUR DEATH IS OUR STRONGEST SURVIVING TRADITION: A Guest Essay by the Artist of Our Cover Image
Author(s): Ukjese van KampenSubject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Culture and social structure , Cultural Essay
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Summary/Abstract: In Canada, Yukon First Nations are politically powerful and, when viewed by an outsider, everything appears to be progressing well. But the adoption of the Western political model has a downside. We have generally sacrificed our culture for that political power. The loss of our culture has resulted in many social problems and this essay discusses what has resulted from those problems, specifically our high death rate. Ironically, our death ritual, the Potlatch, is one of the strongest surviving cultural traditions we still exercise, while our languages, laws, art, lifestyle, and spirituality are almost all forgotten.
Journal: Review of International American Studies
- Issue Year: 16/2023
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 31-47
- Page Count: 17
- Language: English