Kugstuun

Paxson Baby Revel had the honor of being given a Yupik name the other day. Genevieve's friend and co-worker Cindy named him Kugstuun, after her father who recently passed away. (I used to work with Melanie, Cindy's daughter, at the courthouse.) Chief Antone Kugstuun Anvil led an adventurous life, and we're delighted to name Pax Rev after him. Even if, as English speaking gussuks, we can't pronounce Kugstuun correctly.

Antone is "remembered for his teaching of hunting, fishing and gathering, his hard work in his trade and for his family, his passion for his people, his strong voice and words, his fearlessness especially when he was challenged and he knew he was right, his fight for native rights and self-determination. He will be remembered for his love and leadership." And this is a cool poem that was part of his memorial service.

It is often stated that Eskimo cultures believe in reincarnation. But according to this site, "The Yupiit do not believe in reincarnation! We are not reincarnated when we are given a Yup'ik name - rather we acquire some of the good characteristics of our namesakes." So we pay our respects to Antone Kugstuun Anvil, and we look forward to seeing some of his good characteristics in Paxson Revel Kugstuun!

In other exciting news, thanks to knowing that Jimmy Cliff sang "I can see clearly now", I won a brand new Yupik/English dictionary.

And in other exciting news, Regan's trial continues to produce entertaining nuggets. Like this quote - "This is the most unfair process on the planet," hurled by the defense counsel at the Judge as he was departing the courtroom.