Research Plan

              For our group’s research project, we are exploring native Alaskan religion, more specifically the effects of Christianity on the native Alaskan culture. We had a difficult time even creating the words that will ultimately be our heading on Wikipedia. A very difficult time. Actually we might even change it after this is finally posted on my blog. But the main idea that we are trying to express in our page is the effects that western religion had on the native Alaskan people.

                The effects of Christianity on the native Alaskans could be positive or negative. Our research will bring to into light the argument of both possibilities. The video shown in Thursdays class, “The Land Is Ours,” (I think that was the title… :S) showed Christianity as having a negative impact. The missionaries that came to Alaska told the natives that their religion was evil and that even speaking their own language was “wicked”. I connected those facts with that Lance said to us about the native languages dwindling, and in some cases dying out completely. So it poses the question as to what else died out with the introduction of western religions.

                I believe this topic to be important to the investigation of the wests impact on native Alaskans. This correlates directly to the diminishing native culture. By taking on the religion of another culture, they lost their own. I hope our audience to be Alaskans, native or adopted, who are hoping to get a better sense of the people of Alaska and their rich history.

                The work that I will be contributing to the Wiki page is focusing on the Christian missionaries and their impact on native Alaskans. In doing so, I plan on interviewing an Alaskan native woman who is a pastor in her own church. I will ask her what her earliest memories of religion were as well as if Christianity had changed the stories that had been passed down through her people. And other questions that I am frankly too tired to think of right now. Haha….

                I plan on meeting with Ida this week, and our group has been meeting on Sundays. Following the deadlines on the syllabus we will plan and work together to insure our Wiki page is the best it can be by its due date April, 24th.