Culturally relevant literature for Alaska Native kids can be hard to come by. That’s why an Anchorage-based publisher recently launched Yaaruin Kids, a magazine for Native children.
The goal is to inspire kids to embrace their own cultures while learning about a variety of Alaska Native customs, said Qass’uq Lexi Trainer. Trainer is Cup’ik and Yup’ik, her family is originally from Chevak and Pitkas Point, and she grew up going to school in Anchorage. She remembers reading Highlights, a popular educational magazine mainly for elementary-age children.
Trainer wanted something similar, full of lessons and activities, but in the spirit of sharing Alaska Native culture. It became more personal when she had her son last year and started thinking about how to convey her family’s Alaska Native heritage with him, Trainer said…