Chugachmiut

HERITAGE PRESERVATION

Our Water

By Nicholas Jordan

OVERVIEW
LESSONS
RESOURCES
PROMPTS
KIT INVENTORY
CHECK OUT KIT
Enduring Understanding:

Our waters are vital to the health of our communities, the local ecosystem and subsistence way of life.

Essential Questions:

1. What is a watershed?
      a. How is a watershed identified?
      b. Where is your local watershed?
      c. What is a healthy watershed?
2. Why is the watershed important to the health and subsistence way of life?
      a. Animals in the watershed
3. Are watersheds changing?

Elder Quote:

“I remember my mom told me that the only thing that connects us all is water, and if you’re ever alone all you have to do is put your hands in the water, and you’re connected all the way around this world.” -Bill Smith (Valdez/Cordova, Alaska)

Our Water Overview

The Chugach Region is blessed with an abundance of water resources. Fresh and salt water resources provide access to clean drinking water, water for chores, food preparation, cleaning and transportation. Our expansive water resources provide perfect habitats for salmon, plants we gather, land animals and forests.

Traditionally, there was not any running water, so our ancestors relied on water resources located near village sites for year round access. Water was hauled with tightly woven baskets and bent wood boxes. Traditionally, toboggans and yokes were used to haul water for storage in homes.

Due to population expansion, tourism, garbage, and oil spills some of our waters have become polluted. We have to take care of our water and keep it clean. In the Our Water heritage kit, we will be exploring and documenting local water sources in the Chugach Region’s communities. What were some of the methods used for hauling and storing drinking water. We will delve into questions on how we can protect our waters and how the land provides us with fresh clean water.

We hope you enjoy Merpet -Our Water heritage kit. –Nick Jordan, Seward

Lessons & Curriculum

PRE K-12

Our Water - Lesson 1-3
GRADE 3-5

Watershed & A Filter - Lesson 1-2
GRADE 6-8

Yoke - Lesson 1-2
GRADE 9-12

Documenting Our Water - Lesson 1-3
RESOURCES / MEDIA

Video Library

Bill Smith, Valdez, Our Water

Patrick Selanoff, Valdez, Water Sustains Us

Mark King, Cordova, Clean Water

Elder Interview with Mary Malchoff and Ben Meganack

Glacier Exit Film

Marine Debris: A Youth Perspective

Chenega Bay Youth Film Workshop Overview

Gulf Watch Alaska Youth Film Nanwalek and Tatitlek

Rhoda Moonin, Nanwalek on Our Water

Port Graham Nanwalek Watershed Council

Patience Andersen-Faulkner on Twining

Other Resources

Lesson Prompts

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
DO IT YOURSELF 2D DISPLAY
TEK SCIENCE POSTER
MEDIA ACTION - STORYTELLING
SIM TABLE
DRONES
Bibliography & Resources Our Water

BIBLIOGRAPHY & RESOURCES
Community Field Trips

Chenega
Cordova
Nanwalek
Port Graham
Seward
Tatitlek
Valdez

Quick Links

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Contact Us

HERITAGE PRESERVATION

1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 110
Anchorage, Alaska 99508-3463
www.chugachmiut.org

DOE

ANA Grant Number S356A150066


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