Nicholai Slim is an Elder Mentor, which connects him to youth in his community so he can teach them about Yu'pik culture and share wisdom.
RurAL CAP's AmeriCorps Seniors Program includes the Elder Mentor and Senior Companion Programs, which provide volunteer opportunities for people 55 and better. RurAL CAP partners with schools, Head Starts, local governments, and health agencies to set up volunteers host sites. Volunteers get training, support, and a small stipend as a thank you for
I never expected to become an Elder Mentor. One of the teachers at our school called me and asked if I would volunteer. At the time, I wasn't working, so I thought it would be something good I could do. Being an Elder Mentor is new to me-I have never volunteered in this way before-but I enjoy it. I love explaining many things to the students about our Yup'ik way of life.
The older people and the teachers ensure that children have Elders in their lives as they grow up. We stress that one of the best things for young people is to learn from Elders-people who have already gone through life's challenges and have wisdom to share. When I was young, my Elders taught me to always do my best when working and to stay committed once hired. I carried this lesson with me when I served as a tribal administrator at our tribal office, ensuring our departments ran smoothly and that employees were doing well.
One day, the teachers asked if I had anything to say to the students. I told them that our Native language is disappearing. Over the past 10 or 20 years, people have been speaking it less and less. Parents use it less at home, and I wanted the students to understand why it is so important to keep our language alive.
The Yup'ik word for Elder is Ciuliaput (pronounced JIU-lia-but). This is a word I want young people to hear and understand. An Elder is someone with deep life experience, often shaped by a subsistence way of living. I never thought I would be called an Elder myself. You think you are still learning about life, and suddenly, you find yourself becoming an Elder while you're still learning. It happens quickly, even as you continue looking up to those older than you for guidance.
I want to share one of my favorite snacks, something I enjoy just about any time of the day. I like to have a cup of plain tea, usually Red Rose or Lipton, with a slice of homemade bread and butter. Alongside, I eat a bowl of raw, salted, cut-up salmon. In our village, we make the bread locally rather than buying it from the store. I haven't made it myself yet, but I'd like to learn. For now, I buy it from someone in the village who bakes it at home.
The salmon preparation is a tradition. We use rock salt, layering it in a bucket with slabs or filets of fish, adding another layer of salt, and repeating the process. The fish can stay in the salt for quite a while. When we're ready to eat, we take out a few pieces, soak them in water, and change the water two or three times to remove some of the salt-leaving just enough for a good taste.
Being an Elder Mentor has been an unexpected journey, but one that fills me with purpose. Sharing our traditions, language, and way of life with the younger generation is one of the most important things we can do. Our Elders taught us, and now it is our turn to pass that knowledge on. Volunteering has given me a new sense of purpose. It has reminded me of the lessons my Elders taught me, and it allows me to continue learning while teaching others. I feel more connected to my community, and I've realized that even as an Elder, I still have much to learn from those around me.
Get Involved:
Interested in volunteering in your community? RurAL CAP's AmeriCorps Seniors program is available to anyone 55+ in Alaska. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in your community you can call contact us at 907-717-7932 or visit http://www.eldermentor.org.
