July 31, 2020- Land Acknowledgement Series, Part 4: Indigenizing Monuments with Joel Isaak & Ruth Miller

Joel Isaak's family is from the village of Ch’aghałnikt (Point Possession) and currently lives in Soldotna. His Dena’ina name, Łiq’a yes, translates to salmon skin which relates to his pursuits of learning fish skin sewing. Joel is an artist, educator and lifelong learner. He uses art to uncover understanding of working in an educational environment where he combines the Western education model with traditional Alaska Native ways of life. Language work inspires Joel’s artistic practice and education methodology. He uses multi-cultural communication as a medium to aid in language revitalization. Art has served as a safeguard for him and a medium for generating understanding and communicating hard truths to a wide range of audiences to help facilitate wellness.

 

We also welcomed special guest Ruth Miller to this conversation. Ruth Miller is a Dena’ina Athabaskan woman who was born and raised in Alaska and currently lives in Anchorage. Her family on her maternal side is from the village of Ekuk in Bristol Bay. She claims Russian Jewish heritage from her Father’s side. She is a climate activist, Indigenous rights advocate, traditional beadwork artist, storyteller, and singer. She is also on the path of becoming a traditional healer. She is a recent graduate of Brown University and received a BA in Critical Development Studies with a focus on Indigenous resistance and liberation. She believes that the true liberation of Indigenous peoples must begin with a deep spiritual foundation in the wisdom of the ancestors, and knowledge of how to live in harmony and respect with the lands, waters, plants, and animal relatives. This means honoring the power of cultural bonds, the strength of healthy communities, and the beauty of Indigenous lifeways and artforms. (Bio from https://sustainus.org/people/ruth-miller/). more.