Thanksgiving is a relatively new holiday, and it’s far from the time when gratitude was an integral part of everyday life.
Alaskan Indigenous Languages speakers say they feel closer to the past because of their close relationship with the land.
Ossie Kairaiuak believes that the word quyana (which means thank you in Yup’ik), has deeper meanings. It refers to Ossie Kairaiuak’s Yugtun language.
Pamyua is one of Alaska’s most well-known Indigenous music groups. It includes Kairaiuaik, which is known for mixing traditional Yup’ik songs with African American harmonies.
Kairaiuaik’s music is influenced by his childhood in Chefornak (a community situated on top of a vast expanse of tundra in Southwest Alaska). One of his first lessons in gratitude was learned after a successful seal hunt.
He said, “As I grew older, I was more able to help father,” “And I watched as he butchered seals that my brothers had caught. Then he would give me the chosen parts, which were the shoulders of the seal. He would then say, “Kita,” which in Yup’ik means “here”. Kita would then be instructed to deliver the meat for an elderly couple.
Kairaiuaik set off to find their home, his hands full with seal meat and his heart full of joy.
Kairaiuaik said, “And I gently used mine feet to knock on their doors,” and was met with a flood of Yugtun gratitude. “Quyanqvaa! “Thank you so much!”
Kairaiuaik said that every quyana he heard was like an opportunity to multiply his blessings, encouraging him and others to return with food for sharing. It was a reciprocal and cyclical relationship that was almost holy. Elders would often comment on the gift of a piece meat, saying, “Oh, boy.” “The one we don’t see has given us something,” — a reference towards the Creator.
X’unei Lance Twitchell said that the Lingit word for “thank you” was also an expression love and humility.
Twitchell said, “I believe the word has ancient origins,” and has dedicated his entire life to sharing and preserving knowledge about Southeast Alaska’s languages and cultures.
According to him, gunalcheesh refers to a verb that makes something possible. For example, “Haatooch licheesh” which means “We believe it is possible.”
Twitchell and other language experts believe that gunalcheesh is shorthand for a longer phrase: “It wouldn’t be possible without you.” This makes it a gesture to acknowledge someone and a way to make them feel valued and loved.
Twitchell said that the word gunalcheesh is also a reference to elders and clan relationships.
Twitchell said that gunalcheesh’s essence is kindness and love.
“Some elders, like David Katseek (the late Kingeesti), used to talk about this phrase’s power, sometimes by dragging out one last syllable.”
The last syllable in the Gwich’in word, mahsi’choo, has also been drawn out.
It’s more than a simple thank you. Kay Wallis emphasizes the last syllable, “It’s mahsi’ choo.” Your kindness means so much to you.
Wallis, a traditional healer, was born in Fort Yukon and raised in several foster homes throughout Alaska. She believes mahsi’choo is a word that connects her with her cultural identity.
Wallis believes that mahsi’choo is a word that radiates energy spiritually. Wallis believes that her people’s history of persevering in the harsh interior winters has given them a spirit and energy of gratitude, which they have used to overcome sickness, trauma, and famine.
“I am 78 and most of my elders have died. They all remember hunger. She said that they all remember the period of starvation. “And then, when somebody would just share with them a bone, a moosebone, a cariboubone, or a piece of salmon,” she said.
Wallis states that most people today have never experienced such hardship. Wallis also emphasizes the importance of giving back whatever you can, no matter what it may be.
She repeated “Mahsi”choo for emphasis. It meant so much. You keep me alive. You keep my family alive. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you.
Wallis says that gratitude was once a way to live, and that people used every opportunity to express their gratitude.
She said, “You should thank the sun for coming down and coming back up.” “Thank you so much for the light. We are so grateful for the light. We are so grateful to you, Creator. Mahsi’ choo, Creator.”
Wallis claims that Thanksgiving is the precursor to the solstice, which occurs on December 21st, when the sun’s rays warm the earth and infuse words such as mahsi’choo, quyana, and gunalcheesh, with light, love, and life.
