Paul John (Yupik elder)

Paul Joseph John (1929 – March 6, 2015) was an American Yup'ik elder, cultural advocate, and commercial fisherman. John was a proponent of traditional Central Alaskan Yup'ik culture, including the use of the Central Alaskan Yup'ik language and a subsistence lifestyle, including wild food.[1][2] Additionally, John helped to settle the village of Toksook Bay, Alaska.[1] A traditional chief of the Nunakauyarmiut tribe, he was a member of the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), which is based in Bethel, Alaska.[1][2]

Early Life

Paul John was born in the village of Old Cevv'arneq, also known as Chefornak, Alaska.[2] He was raised in a sod house in an Alaskan village on the Bering Sea.[1] John, who spoke very little English and conversed in fluent Central Alaskan Yup'ik language, recalled living with seals as a child to promote respect for animals.[1] He later moved to nearby Nightmute, Alaska, to marry his wife, Martina (née Anguyaluk).[2] In 1964, Paul and Martina John moved to Toksook Bay when the village was established.[3]

Contributions and Collaborations

Paul John, who possessed an in-depth knowledge of Yup'ik traditions and language, was featured in a number of books by Ann Fienup-Riordan, an Alaskan cultural anthropologist. John was cited dozens of times in Fienup-Riordan's book, "Yuungnaqpiallerput" ("The Way We Genuinely Live").[1] For example, in "Yuungnaqpiallerput", John described the qasgi, a traditional men's community house, saying "The qasgi was like college, and our elders were like our professors."[1] He was one of the last Yup'ik who was raised with the qasgi men's house as an integral part of the village community.[2] He recalled the qasgi as a place where the community learned "how to live and how to work."[1] John also authored several books on Yup'ik history and folkways in his native language, composed Yup'ik songs, and created dances which are still performed.[2]

He was also able to describe Yup'ik artifacts to researchers.[1] He was among a group of Yup'ik who travelled to museums as far away as Berlin, New York City, and Washington D.C. to view and identify artifacts from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.[1] Additionally, he taught classes and workshops on Yup'ik crafts, dance and language to students.[2] Paul John received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks for his promotion of Yup'ik culture.[1]

Leadership and Legacy

Paul John was a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay by profession.[1] He was among the first village residents to compete in sled dog races in Anchorage and Bethel.[2] He was a member of the Association of Village Council Presidents, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, and a founding member of the board of directors of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp.[2]

Paul John died at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 6, 2015, at the age of 85.[1] His illness, which required hospitalization in Anchorage, had prevented him from making a final visit to Toksook Bay. He was survived by his wife Martina (then aged 62), nine surviving children, thirty grandchildren, and thirty-five great-grandchildren.[1] His memorial service was held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Anchorage on March 10, 2015.[2] Dignitaries in attendance included Lt. Governor Byron Mallott.[2] He was buried in Toksook Bay.[2]

References

1. Demer, Lisa (2015-03-06). "Yup'ik cultural leader Paul John of Toksook Bay dead at 85". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
2. Dunham, Mike (2015-03-10). "Chief Paul John's knowledge, kindness eulogized in Anchorage service". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
3. "Paul Joseph John (1929 - 2015) obituary". Alaska Dispatch News. 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2015-04-04.