Native Cultures and Language: Challenges for Land Managers in Alaska

Abstract

Many of the Aleuts, Inuits, and Indians of Alaska continue to live a traditional lifestyle. Eighty-eight percent of the land they use for subsistence activities, however, is managed by federal or state agencies. Clear communication across cultures is essential if Native people are to be represented in agency land management decisions. Problems in communication relate to the differences between Native and Western cultures and language. Five solutions are proposed: defensible participation program, support of translator training, terminology workshops, term glossary, and use of Native terms on maps and in reports.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the Symposium on Social Aspects and Recreation Research, February 19-22, 1992, Ontario, California

Citation

Gallagher, Thomas J. 1992. Native Cultures and Language: Challenges for Land Managers in Alaska. In: Chavez, Deborah J., technical coordinator. 1992. Proceedings of the Symposium on Social Aspects and Recreation Research, February 19-22, 1992, Ontario, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-132. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 34-35