October 4, 2010

Roots

Written by: William Wallner, Operations Coordinator, Educational Services

Born and raised in Anchorage, I always felt that I was truly diverse. Knowing at a young age and being proud of the fact that I was Alaska Native and having roots to the wider world gave me a bigger perspective on life. My mother from Barrow who was raised in the Iñupiaq culture, and my father from Anchorage, I always thought that I had the best of both worlds. Raised in a close-knit family, you come to appreciate the smaller things in life you share with your family. Whether it be a small BBQ, birthday party or a bicycle trip to an aunt’s house, I was always taught to be appreciative of the family I had.

As I grew older, I discovered more and more where my family hailed from. A fun fact I learned through my own research and speaking to family members was that my paternal great great-grandfather was originally from Bavaria, Germany and had sailed to Ellis Island with his family to start a new life in America. Another paternal great great-grandfather from Moscow and another from Ireland added to my interest in knowing where my roots originated. A worldly view grew even larger than the state of Alaska from which my parents lived all their lives.

Now, having two nephews adds to sharing such a proud value. Having pride in family and where you come from, can be one of the best gifts you can share. If it wasn’t for having a close-knit family and appreciating being together, I don’t believe this value could have become what it has flourished into today: A sense of belonging and respect for diversity and love for family.

This is a story about my roots and how they play a big role in my life growing up in Anchorage, Alaska.