Activities Outline

Cultural, Historical, Service Approach to Community Potlucks

N I C O L E F U E R S T & E M I L Y M U R R A Y

Activities Outline

Week One: Introduction. Potluck memories. Students define what a potluck is, take notes/have discussion on the history of potlucks, look at other Alaska Native cultures that have potlucks, compare and contrast our Yupik/Inupiaq potlucks to the potlucks of one other Native Alaskan culture.

Week Two: Guest presenter-Emily Murray-cultural & historic significance of the potluck. How a potluck looks and works in our culture, modern significance of potlucks (why do we have potlucks), and community potluck organization (who puts on potlucks).

Week Three: Social Etiquette of gathering (social roles), how people are treated at potlucks, if you go to a potluck what is required of you, who works at potlucks, where does the food come from, how are students expected to behave/what is the role of a student at a potluck, what happens to those who don’t gather, and the use and significance of food at the potluck.

Week Four: Potlucks in Elim. The logistics of an Elim potluck. Physical location, getting food, getting cooks, getting workers, transporting elders, community resources (listing, visiting, and using). Interview someone who has worked at a potluck and write a short report to present. Discuss dividing into groups with specific roles to work on a portion of a potluck.

P.O. Box 29 Phone: 907-890-3021 Elim, AK 99739 Activities Outline Fax: 907-890-3031 USA Email: [email protected] bssd Website: www.bssd.org Week One: Introduction. Potluck memories. Students define what a potluck is, take notes/have discussion on the history of potlucks, look at other Alaska Native cultures that have potlucks, compare and contrast our Yupik/Inupiaq potlucks to the potlucks of one other Native Alaskan culture.

Week Two: Guest presenter-Emily Murray-cultural & historic significance of the potluck. How a potluck looks and works in our culture, modern significance of potlucks (why do we have potlucks), and community potluck organization (who puts on potlucks).

Week Three: Social Etiquette of gathering (social roles), how people are treated at potlucks, if you go to a potluck what is required of you, who works at potlucks, where does the food come from, how are students expected to behave/what is the role of a student at a potluck, what happens to those who don’t gather, and the use and significance of food at the potluck.

Week Four: Potlucks in Elim. The logistics of an Elim potluck. Physical location, getting food, getting cooks, getting workers, transporting elders, community resources (listing, visiting, and using). Interview someone who has worked at a potluck and write a short report to present. Discuss dividing into groups with specific roles to work on a portion of a potluck.