Editorial
Finding true riches in Alaska
Why is it that we Alaskans, with all our material riches, have so little understanding about what creates lasting wealth? One example of our culture of mediocrity is that the heritage of our native populations is being squandered. As the lead article in this issue points out, native corporations have adopted the same narrow economic strategy which dominates the rest of the world we live in.
It is easy to suggest a practical response. We could say that native organizations ought to fulfill their original mission, developing the cultural and spiritual life of their populations. But this is not likely. If leaders are going to serve the actual needs of their constituents they have to have a clue about what these are.
They do not have a clue, because we are suffering from a lack of insight. We have numbed ourselves so much that we don’t even care. It is as if we were forgetting half of ourselves - the sensitive, vulnerable part, the secret, inner part, which is capable of perceiving the sacred, and of bringing wonder and beauty to everyday life in society.
This is the true definition of globalization: lack of meaning, integrity, and wisdom. It is this which produces our vapid and profane culture of entertainment. It is this which results in the scarcity of meaningful educational opportunities, and of meaningful productive activities. The corporate model of money-making is merely a expression of our identity. It is this which causes many people to turn to and face oblivion.
It would be more pleasant and easier to congratulate ourselves on being great Americans. But we must dig deep if we want to have hope for humanity. And we do have hope - grand, beautiful visions of an Alaskan culture that would be worthy of its physical beauty.
We can imagine a confluence of what is best in our diverse traditions and in each other. In order to accomplish this we must have a dialogue of civilizations, with educational forums that engage the whole population. This means that we must create an entirely new educational system. Our present system is founded on the same corporate model that governs all of contemporary culture. Its emphasis on hierarchy, qualifications, and quantitative success nullifies the richness of our human resources.
It has nothing to do with how clever you are. It has nothing to do with how much money, education, or power you have. The truth is the quality of your awareness, sensitivity, and insight.
We are badly in need of centers that cultivate what is best and truest in each of us. This is where our time and money should be spent, because these are our real human and spiritual resources. This is the scenery underneath the surface, which could be more interesting to travelers than what is merely physical, and which could be the source of a whole new tourism industry.
We could begin with an active exploration of the once powerful stream of the indigenous. Traditional Eskimo culture, for instance, is renowned for its sense of shared humanity, of innovation and courage.
Alaskan villages could be a light to the world, mixing together ancient and modern, native and Western, traditional and technological, wild and technological - but on the basis of insight into what is actually important.
Alaskans used to be known for generosity, for offering assistance to those in need and facing natural dangers. We could live up to that reputation, by offering what is truly important to those who are suffering because of our insensitivity. We could create a world worthy of our potential - a world of love, understanding, and beauty. Let us begin with a day of silence, a day of humility. And then a day of dialogue, of learning. The next day could dawn with the most majestic sunrise we ever saw.
Go to our humanitynews.net website if you’d like to help create a dialogue of civilizations for Alaskans, or to explore how we can create centers for the cultivation of what is good and true.