Yup'ik storytellers are big hit at MCC open house

Evelyn Yanez, left, tells a story in Yup'ik while Dora Andrew-Ihrke repeats the tale in English. 

Math in a Cultural Context opened its doors to the public April 2 with its first-ever open house. Featuring the original artwork of Putt Clark, the event drew a steady stream of interested visitors throughout the evening. Clark illustrates all the MCC publications, including textbooks and story books.

A popular attraction was the storytelling by Evelyn Yanez, MCC consultant, and Dora Andrew-Ihrke, UAF adjunct faculty member. The women have been involved with MCC for years, helping to translate Yup'ik culture and traditions into mathematical concepts for elementary school students. Yanez and Andrew-Ihrke told stories that have been in their family for generations, including The Raven, and Slave Girl. MCC takes their stories and turns them into reader books for students. These accompany the math modules that MCC produces.

MCC Principal Investigator Jerry Lipka, left, visits with artist Putt Clark and FNSB Mayor Luke Hopkins at the MCC open house April 2.

MCC modules incorporate math into Yup'ik activities such as berry picking, sewing parkas, and star navigation. The event was an occasion to celebrate the rewarding work MCC has done for nearly two decades.

Further reading:
Counting on tradition: Math in a Cultural Context Adds Up, Agroborealis, Spring 2009, page 4, by Nancy Tarnai ((PDF)