Yupiaq and Caroline Islands Knowledge Systems: Similarities Across Concepts of Spatial Relations, Center, Symmetry, and Measuring

Colonialism and assimilationist pressures have suppressed Indigenous Knowledge. A cornerstone of our long-term work has been the formation and continuation of a group of cultural insiders and outsiders dedicated to decolonizing education by developing mathematics curricula based on Indigenous Knowledge. During an almost four-year period, Indigenous Knowledge holders from Micronesia and Alaska worked jointly with researchers and educators to study and analyze the mathematical foundations of practical activities. This case study highlights fundamental similarities in the way that selected everyday activities are performed and understood by Yupiaq and Caroline Islanders. Raphael Jimmy, a ninety-two-year-old Yupiaq elder, identified and coined the term the “center of everything.” This elegant and cohesive concept—symbolized as “+”—became a focal point for the group. We highlight the decolonizing process that brought to consciousness the idea of the center of everything. By describing this concept used in both Yupiaq and Carolinian activity, we identify it as an integrative and generative concept. The same mathematical principles that underlie cultural activity can be applied to teaching the foundations of mathematical thinking in Indigenous communities and also to the wider community. Executive Summary in Yup’ik Yugtaat nallunritlerput ciuliamtenek aturciigaciimallruaput ak’a imumi skuulungyaurtellemteni. Tamarmi elitelput aipaimta nallunritellritnek elicungcaumallruukut. Waniwa quyumta Yupiullgutemtenek ilaluta tegganemtenek ciuliqagcirluta man’a caliarput maktarput kinguliamta skuulurvigni atullerkaat umyuaqluku. Waknirnek, aipaitvut ikyauqluki naaqit’liuryaranek caliukut. Nutemllat qemagcimallret puggluki aturyugnairiluki mikelngurnun waniwa caliukut. Tayima-tuq skuulurat qigciklu’urluku man’a elitelteng – taillret kinguliamtenek – eliqu’urlit ellarpiim caucianek.