by Elena Aluskak
The blue pinwheel, representing innocence is a national symbol for child abuse prevention. Pinwheels reflect the bright future all children deserve. The pinwheel is a positive emblem of the effect we can have when we work together to prevent child abuse.
Traditionally and culturally: Prevention starts very early, our women who are pregnant are instructed to talk to their babies while in the womb; speaking to them as if they are already within full eyesight … and continuing more so once they are born.
Qalaruqu’urluki, to keep talking, keep instructing our children…guide them, advise them what is right and what is not right. Ciutengyullratnek ayagnirluteng, caregivers are also instructed to start giving out admonishments and guidance once the child ‘acquires an ear for it’.
Qigcikiyaramek, toddlers and children are introduced to respect at a very young age – we are told to model it while instructing on it. Unuamek ata ilaten kenkurqiki, instructing them to be kind and respectful to everyone today. These very meaningful words resonate all day as a child – and into adulthood.
Umyuangcautekaqluki, we are instructed to ponder on and practice our instructions; to sit and think on them.
Pinwheels: Uutun uivaarturyugngalriatun, just like this pinwheel that has the ability to continuously spin … so can our guidance to our children be. Our instructions and admonishments can keep going and going. The ‘wind of change’ should not stop our traditional and cultural method of instructing. The importance of having our children understand the meaning of respect is crucial in their upbringing. That means, we, with persistence and repetition talk to our children about respecting self and others everywhere and anywhere; at home, in school, outdoors … everywhere.
Our elders stress it; our healthy elders or even those elders that have become aware of themselves and made positive changes begin to talk about it, wanting others to know what it is to be respectful.
Tememta-llu qigciklerkaa, and about respecting our bodies. Teaching self respect includes our bodies. When a child learns to respect his/her own body, respect for another’s body is learned. Apaaluki tememta aklui taringevkarluki, use the correct body part names for understanding. There is no shame in using the correct body part names, this teaching can lead to ‘ok’ and ‘not ok’ touches that our children should understand and further go in talking about ‘secrets’.
Ilavet nakukekatgen uniskiki, if your playmates show unkindness – walk away. This instruction can easily lead to running away from people who are inappropriate in any way; physically, sexually and emotionally. This is a powerful teaching that ties into respect and then love.
And so the ‘pinwheel of prevention’, it is our responsibility to keep it going around and around – by means of our guidance and admonishments. If we feel there is no ‘wind’ – it is our responsibility to blow ‘like the wind’ and keep the cycle of prevention going. Don’t allow the ‘wind’ to stop or even slow down.
The pinwheel will be a constant reminder to keep the wind of prevention going and the blue color will be a reminder that our children are innocent and are precious gifts from our Creator – as our culture clearly states. And that through our constant, continuous teaching they will grow up to be healthy and in turn, they will keep the wind of prevention going and going and not allow the ‘calm’ to settle in.
Elena W. Aluskak is the Outreach Coordinator for Irniamta Ikayurviat in Bethel, Alaska.
