Cable network TLC continues its reality show lineup with a new show premiering this Sunday about Alaska Natives.
From TLC website:
“Escaping Alaska” follows a group of young Eskimos as they leave their villages for the first time and secretly escape to San Diego, defying the expectations of their families in order to experience life beyond the harsh realities of Alaska. They are a generation torn between their deep-rooted cultural traditions and the modern pop culture of the lower 48 states. This is their story of independence, survival, adventure and forming a new family. Leaving an Inuit community for any earthly reason is the ultimate sin, so our cast members are lying about their true intentions, telling their community that they are going on a cultural/religious mission, and thus committing the highest treason.
This clip introduces Mary, Frank, Tamara, Qituvituag and Nuala – who are of Inuit, Inupiaq and Yupik descent:
After reading the description and seeing the trailer, what do you think? First, I find issue with their outdated terminology “Eskimo”. As far as my knowledge goes, I have only heard the terms Inuit, Alaska Natives, etc. Also I was really stunned to hear the one girl say that she feels trapped in the old ways of her ancestors. Most natives I know wouldn't dare speak ill of their culture or elders.
One quick look online and you can see that others have voiced their concerns about this show and how it will portray Alaska Natives to the outside world. Check out Chantel Rondeau's blog or Alaska Dispatch News for more opinions.
AnneMarie Nicolaides, a administrator for the I am Alaska Native Facebook page recently spoke with Alaska Dispatch News and gave her views after seeing the preview.
I'm honestly very excited to see young Alaska Natives on national television! But I'm also worried that our culture will be misrepresented. We are already viewed in very stereotypical, outdated, and one dimensional ways. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding about our diverse cultures, even within the state of Alaska. I'd say a couple things from the trailer are inaccurate, it isn't considered treason to leave the village, and we aren't trapped in the old ways of our ancestors.
Quite the opposite actually. Many young people leave their villages and small towns to pursue higher education and careers with full support of their families. We are trying to preserve the “old ways of our ancestors.”
The introduction of European diseases, famine, annihilation of entire villages, attempted assimilation, cultural destruction, natural resources taken from us, all within a surprisingly short period of time, has left us in a complex predicament that we are dealing with still. Our languages, dances, rituals, the things that make us unique, are the things that we were condemned for, the things we were deemed savages for. I think there is a revival in our traditional ways, a renewed sense of pride, it's a work in progress.
I could go on and on, but I digress. I'm sure many things will be dramatized and set up on ‘Escaping Alaska' for the sake of entertainment. I don't have a strong opinion because I have only seen the preview, you can't judge a book by it's cover. I can say I'm excited, I hope they represent us well. I imagine it will hit a chord with me, I am currently living in San Diego, where they “escape” to, I miss Alaska and I miss being around my culture.
I hope viewers understand that not much in reality TV is actually real.
Yup, highly dramatized for entertainment value. So what do you think, will you be tuning in or turning off?
Escaping Alaska premieres Sunday, July 27th at 10pm Eastern, 9pm Central on TLC
