“In the old times the people of the tundra used stars for everything… There was no light, so they navigated using stars.”

Jan 8

Zoya Tokareva (zoy-ah toh-kah-ray-vah)

Nutendli community member

IMAGE SOURCE: Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography. Arcticphoto.com. | QUOTE SOURCE: Tero Mustonen. “Inuit and Chukchi Star Lore and Reflections.” Snowchange. Discussion Paper #13.

QUOTE CONTEXT: “In the old times people travelled with the dogs and reindeer. People travelled much. They have the skills to navigate at nighttime too.“

QUOTE QUESTION: How do you navigate when there is only darkness?

IMAGE CONTEXT: Lema, a Chukchi woman, rests on her sled during a break on a journey by dog team. Uelen, Chukotka, Siberia, Russia. 2004

IMAGE QUESTION: Who helps to pull you toward the light?

MEDIA LITERACY CONTEXT: The quote is from a discussion paper on a support group’s website. The photo is from an online photo gallery.

MEDIA LITERACY QUESTION: What are some websites where you would not want your people’s traditions represented and why?

“In the old times the people of the tundra used stars for everything… There was no light, so they navigated using stars.”

Zoya Tokareva (zoy-ah toh-kah-ray-vah)

“We are responsible for seven generations, in my tradition, seven generations into the future.”

“I wouldn’t want to live in the village. I’m there for three days and I want to go home. Life is too fast and I soon get fed up.”