Paul John (Yupik elder) facts for kids

Paul Joseph John (1929 – March 6, 2015) was an important Yup'ik elder from Alaska. He was a strong supporter of traditional Yup'ik culture, including their language and way of life. This included living off the land and sea, known as a subsistence lifestyle. Paul John also helped to establish the village of Toksook Bay, Alaska. He was a traditional chief of the Nunakauyarmiut tribe and a member of the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) in Bethel, Alaska.

Paul John's Early Life

Paul John was born in a village called Old Cevv'arneq, which is now known as Chefornak, Alaska. He grew up in a traditional sod house near the Bering Sea. Paul John spoke mostly the Central Alaskan Yup'ik language and very little English. He often shared stories about living with seals as a child. These stories taught people to respect animals.

Later, he moved to Nightmute, Alaska to marry his wife, Martina Anguyaluk. In 1964, Paul and Martina John moved to Toksook Bay, Alaska when the village was first created.

Sharing Yup'ik Culture

Paul John knew a lot about Yup'ik traditions and their language. He worked with Ann Fienup-Riordan, who is an Alaskan cultural anthropologist. She wrote several books where Paul John's knowledge was shared. For example, in her book "Yuungnaqpiallerput" ("The Way We Genuinely Live"), Paul John described the qasgi. A qasgi was a traditional men's community house. He said, "The qasgi was like college, and our elders were like our professors."

Paul John was one of the last Yup'ik people who grew up with the qasgi as a main part of village life. He remembered the qasgi as a place where the community learned "how to live and how to work." He also wrote books about Yup'ik history and customs in his native language. He even created Yup'ik songs and dances that are still performed today.

Helping Researchers Understand Artifacts

Paul John also helped researchers understand old Yup'ik artifacts. He traveled to museums in places like Berlin, New York City, and Washington, D.C. He helped identify artifacts from the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta. He also taught classes and workshops about Yup'ik crafts, dance, and language to students. The University of Alaska Fairbanks gave Paul John an honorary doctorate. This was to honor his important work in promoting Yup'ik culture.

Paul John's Leadership and Legacy

Paul John was a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay. He was also one of the first people from his village to compete in sled dog races in Anchorage and Bethel, Alaska. He was a member of important groups like the Association of Village Council Presidents and the Inuit Circumpolar Conference. He also helped start the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp.

Paul John passed away on March 6, 2015, at the age of 85. He was at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. He was survived by his wife Martina, nine children, thirty grandchildren, and thirty-five great-grandchildren. His memorial service was held in Anchorage. He was buried in Toksook Bay, Alaska.