Eskimo to the World

I am Trina Landlord and this is my blog. In a past life, Eskimo to the World documented my adventures in New York – where in minute everything can change. Much like my life changed when I moved from Alaska to the 'city that never sleeps'. From the biggest state in America to the most populous city in the United States. From the immaculate nature of the Chugach Mountains, Yukon River and Bering Sea to the urban tundra of sky scrapers, enclaves of business and cultural capitals and the nation's foremost trendsetters. From 'the great land' to arguably the 'greatest city on earth'. I made a 5,000 mile prodigious leap from Anchorage to New York City – AND BACK TO ALASKA. The determination of Yup’ik peoples to survive in harsh Arctic conditions had given me the foundation to survive on streets of New York, I will continue to chronicle the parallels of both worlds.
June 15
If Mountain Village goes Damp...

By TRINA LANDLORD

If Mountain Village goes Damp…

It’s set up for devastation and destruction. I believe that if Mountain Village goes from a dry community to damp, we’ll need to prepare to clean up the wreckage of the future. Yes, alcohol still permeates into the veins of the community. I’ve witnessed the wounds in the faces of family and friends from the damage of alcohol and drugs too many times than I’d like to count.

I believe those that are leading the push to go damp are motivated only to benefit themselves. Have they also seen the hurt in the faces? Have they considered the impact it will have on the community, outlying villages and region? Are they aware of the stark statistics of alcoholism, deaths, suicides and violence? I have. I don’t want to attend another funeral, visit another jail, or lose another loved one who took their own life.

If the vote passes, we’ll need to prepare to systematically change things. We’ll need Office of Children’s Services to care for the children. We’ll need to provide additional support to the Health Clinic Aides for the accidents, suicide prevention, outreach and education. We’ll need to ramp up on Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) and expect frequent calls to fly-in State Troopers. Do we really want to give away our power?

But we have a choice, which is to find our collective voice to vote against the issue. I encourage individuals to look within themselves and reflect before they vote, are we living the life our ancestors envisioned for us? We are descendants of indigenous peoples who made decisions and changes within the cycle of life based on ingenuity, intelligence and inventiveness which provided the strength to survive in the north for over 10,000 years. I believe this is a critically important point in time to unite and vote NO. I don’t want my home to be a statistic anymore.

I am of Yup’ik Eskimo ancestry born in Bethel, raised in Mountain Village and Anchorage and have lived in New York City and abroad in Switzerland. The traditional name of my home on the Yukon River is Asa’carsamiut, founded by my great-grandfather, Chekohak. I believe that alcohol and drugs have no boundaries – they affect all races, societies, nations and cultural groups. I chose not to drink with the goal of breaking the cycle.