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A waft of arrogance has surfaced midst an incoming tide of cultural superiority. Espoused of the noble thinkers of our time, a judgement has been passed, conclusion sealed. Again it is to the one standard against which all else is measured.

"It's a shame they can't spell right ... it discredits their entire effort" ...... anonymous quote

The Inupiat Eskimo are not white Europeans, they do not share our culture nor do they our history. They do not share our language; but that we have imposed as punishment an educational structure that has stripped freedom from their heritage, the language and tradition from their homes, we need not worry. We know best, we care about them, we want to help them.

Who speaks to the imposition of European standards upon a culture in no need or want of such? At the strike of cane upon the flesh of innocent children, it was our wisdom that sought to mete punishment and abuse in tribute to the voice of the native Inupiat tongue. This was life in the Kaktovik school of the 1970's ... not 1870's.

The Inupiat language is complex and presents a linguistic difficulty beyond our standard of measure. Simple phonics do not begin to capture the nuance and inflection of the Inupiat tongue. The Inupiat language is a cultural achievement of humanity's greatest expression.

While our culture stands in condescending judgement of Inupiats' application of our language, I have yet to encounter the white reporter, the white teacher that can stand a fraction of parity in the command of the Inupiat tongue. Are we not deficient for the lacking? Are we not inferior for the inability? Of course not, it is only the native that wears the crown of inferior subordination.

When a single human being bears the courage to stand in defense of heritage, to stand to the world and state "I PERFER WHALE OIL", what praise and credit our race accords the individual that values culture, life and freedom over personal financial gain. It is our cultural failure of arrogance and ignorance that limits our ability to see no further than a grammatical error. To remark of such error, to pass judgement tells of a blindness to life that becomes our handicap: the paralyzing incapacity of understanding and tolerance that otherwise would allow the world to exist of a better state.

To the courageous group of Kaktovik residents that dared to say ... our life, our culture, our existence is not for sale ...

... to the human beings that dared say ... our children, our grandchildren, our heritage holds meaning that transcends the count of dollars ...

... to history's last living North American natives to have lived the nomadic life of their ancestors ...

To have shared their lives, to have shared their humor, to understand their scorn ... my life is forever the better for having known them.


Kaktovik protest opposing oil development within their traditional grounds		"I PERFER WHALE OIL"

A waft of arrogance has surfaced midst an incoming tide of cultural superiority. Espoused of the noble thinkers of our time, a judgement has been passed, conclusion sealed. Again it is to the one standard against which all else is measured. "It's a shame they can't spell right ... it discredits their entire effort" ...... anonymous quote The Inupiat Eskimo are not white Europeans, they do not share our culture nor do they our history. They do not share our language; but that we have imposed as punishment an educational structure that has stripped freedom from their heritage, the language and tradition from their homes, we need not worry. We know best, we care about them, we want to help them. Who speaks to the imposition of European standards upon a culture in no need or want of such? At the strike of cane upon the flesh of innocent children, it was our wisdom that sought to mete punishment and abuse in tribute to the voice of the native Inupiat tongue. This was life in the Kaktovik school of the 1970's ... not 1870's. The Inupiat language is complex and presents a linguistic difficulty beyond our standard of measure. Simple phonics do not begin to capture the nuance and inflection of the Inupiat tongue. The Inupiat language is a cultural achievement of humanity's greatest expression. While our culture stands in condescending judgement of Inupiats' application of our language, I have yet to encounter the white reporter, the white teacher that can stand a fraction of parity in the command of the Inupiat tongue. Are we not deficient for the lacking? Are we not inferior for the inability? Of course not, it is only the native that wears the crown of inferior subordination. When a single human being bears the courage to stand in defense of heritage, to stand to the world and state "I PERFER WHALE OIL", what praise and credit our race accords the individual that values culture, life and freedom over personal financial gain. It is our cultural failure of arrogance and ignorance that limits our ability to see no further than a grammatical error. To remark of such error, to pass judgement tells of a blindness to life that becomes our handicap: the paralyzing incapacity of understanding and tolerance that otherwise would allow the world to exist of a better state. To the courageous group of Kaktovik residents that dared to say ... our life, our culture, our existence is not for sale ... ... to the human beings that dared say ... our children, our grandchildren, our heritage holds meaning that transcends the count of dollars ... ... to history's last living North American natives to have lived the nomadic life of their ancestors ... .... I stand humbled of inestimable gratitude and respect. To have shared their lives, to have shared their humor, to understand their scorn ... my life is forever the better for having known them. Arthur C. Smith III


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