02x01 - Molly & Elizabeth/Uqiquq

[bunniefuu]

Hey, everyone-- it's me, Molly!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

Let's go!

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

(laughing): Whoo!

♪ By plane or sled or snowshoe ♪

♪ She is ready to explore ♪

♪ From Kaktovik down to Juneau ♪

♪ Always wanting to learn more ♪

Yeah!

♪ Together with her best friend Tooey ♪

♪ Always by her side ♪ And Trini!

♪ Discovering the outdoors ♪

♪ On adventures day and night ♪

♪ Come along with Molly ♪

♪ Molly ♪

♪ Through fields of fireweed ♪

♪ Come along with Molly ♪

♪ Molly ♪

♪ From tundra to the sea ♪

Mahsi'choo-- let's go!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪ Yeah!

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Let's go! ♪

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

MOLLY: "Molly and Elizabeth."

Welcome to Molly's Alaska Adventures.

Mom's taking tourists on a glacier tour,

and Tooey and I get to help.

She's getting the backpacks ready.

I'm in charge of the glacier maps.

Dad's away getting supplies,

so Grandpa will watch the Trading Post while we're gone.

And Tooey will be...

Hi!

I'm the official tour storyteller.

(phone camera chirps, laughs)

I've got some great mushing tales ready to go.

Like the time Eugene Pike pulled his sled up Eagle Summit!

With his teeth!

(growls)

(laughs): Can't wait for your stories, Tooey.

(computer chiming)

Having trouble, Shchada'a?

It's this volcanology interview I'm supposed to be giving.

I can't log in.

Maybe the Wi-Fi upstairs will help?

Oh, good idea!

It starts any minute.

Molly, if the tourists arrive,

let them know I'll be down

as soon as we figure this video out.

Sure thing.

Okay, Tooey, time to practice our ultimate tour guide faces.

Hee! Hee!

(bell jingles)

Uh, is this the place for the tour?

Sure is!

The pilot will be down in just a little bit.

This place is pretty modern.

We thought it'd be more old.

TOOEY: Oh!

It was built way before I was born.

If you want to see the cool places we're flying to,

over here is a map.

That's my mom.

She knows all

the best glaciers to show you.

Your mom?

The best pilot in Alaska.

Uh, oh, we thought this tour

would be given by a Native.

We're all Alaska Native.

You don't look very Native.

Shouldn't you be wearing things like feathers in your hair?

Yeah, and beaded leather clothes.

Oh.

Uh, we're just wearing stuff to fly for a tour.

Uh, listen.

How about we go fishing today and tomorrow we'll come back?

And we can arrange to get a tour from real Natives.

♪ ♪

You really think we aren't Native enough?

I never thought so before.

Sorry that took so long.

Got it working just in time, though.

What's wrong?

Those tourists came.

They were told real Natives would be giving the tour,

not us.

They said they'd come back tomorrow.

(sighs)

Molly, Tooey, I'm sorry that happened to you.

But you are wonderful, real Alaska Native kids.

They said we didn't look very Native.

That was wrong of them.

What they said isn't true.

You know, this reminds me of another Alaska Native woman

who was told things about us that weren't true.

MOLLY: Elizabeth Preatovich?

Elizabeth Peratrovich.

So who is Elizabeth Peratrovich?

A great Native leader.

I know someone who could tell you a lot more about her.

I'm gonna go see if I can get ahold of her.

I wonder why Grandpa Nat thinks

Elizabeth Peratrovich could help.

Let's see if we can find out some more about her.

MOLLY: Elizabeth Peratrovich.

(mouse clicking)

This says she was also known as Kaaxgal.aat.

She was Tlingit!

"When Elizabeth Peratrovich

"was a young girl in Southeast Alaska...

♪ ♪

"...she tried to enter a store,

but the owner wouldn't let her in."

Why didn't they allow Native people?

(sighs): People had some wrong ideas

about Native people back then, too.

There's someone waiting to tell you all about it.

Come on!

(barking)

MOLLY: Auntie Merna!

Shahnyaa.

Tooey.

Your grandpa told me what happened to you today.

If I had been there,

I would have given them a stern talking to.

(barks)

I'm a little glad we didn't have to see that.

I asked Merna to tell you

about when she saw Elizabeth Peratrovich.

You actually saw her?

When I was just a little girl.

(gasps): You were a little girl?

(clears throat)

I mean, of course you were.

I'm just trying to picture your story.

In ,

Elizabeth was in Juneau.

Stores in Juneau still refused to let Native people in.

Elizabeth wrote letters and talked to lawmakers.

She helped make a law that said you couldn't discriminate.

You couldn't be unfair to Native people.

Finally, the day came to decide on passing the law.

I was watching.

PERATROVICH: I must remind you, Senators,

that Native people are treated unfairly in this state.

How do you think Native children feel

when they see signs that read "No Natives Allowed,"

and aren't allowed in the same school as white children?

Today, you can tell the world

how we are treated is wrong,

and pass this law

to make discrimination in Alaska illegal.

(cheers and applause, whistling)

After Elizabeth's powerful speech, the law passed.

People couldn't keep Native people from entering a store,

or movie theater, or anywhere else.

MOLLY: Elizabeth Peratrovich was amazing.

Yes-- she stood up for Native people,

and it changed the minds of so many.

This coin reminds us of all the hard work it took

to gain equal rights for Native people.

But there's still a lot of work to be done.

I'll talk to those tourists tomorrow,

and I'll tell them what they said was wrong.

Baasee', Mom.

Baasee', Aunt Merna.

(barks)

And baasee', Grandpa.

I'm really glad you told us about Elizabeth.

You keep that, Molly.

You never know when you'll need a little reminder.

(Suki barks)

Oo'ee neiinchii!

Hey, we have a ball thrower just like that

for our dog.

(chuckles): How'd you get it?

Um, we ordered it online.

Huh, didn't think you could order online in Alaska.

Those tourists believe such weird things about us.

I know!

I bet if they knew Alaska Native people,

they wouldn't say those things.

Hey!

I have an idea!

You know how Elizabeth Peratrovich

changed all those people's minds?

I think we can change these tourists' minds.

MOM: You know, you don't have to see those tourists again.

If they don't learn,

they might keep saying hurtful things to people.

Please, Mom?

Okay.

I'll be right here if you need me.

(door opens, bell jingles) COLLIN: Hey!

You two look much more Native now.

We're ready for our tour.

(Mom clears throat)

Before we agree to any tours,

Molly and Tooey would like to speak to you.

Um, okay.

(clears throat)

My name is Molly Mabray,

and I'm also called Shahnyaa.

I'm Teekkone Ookami, also called Tooey.

It doesn't matter what we're wearing,

whether it's a parka or a swimsuit,

whether we live here or a big city,

if our eyes are blue or brown:

we know who we are.

I am Yup'ik, Koyukon, and Japanese American.

And I am Gwich'in, Koyukon, and Dena'ina.

This is the land of our ancestors.

Nobody can tell us we are not Native enough.

Oh, um...

We really didn't mean to offend you.

Well, it hurt me.

It hurt me, too.

But if you're willing to try,

you can learn how to not hurt more people.

We'd like to learn.

Then we'd like to take you on a different kind of tour.

MOLLY: We learn from elders in our village.

We play and laugh with friends.

♪ ♪

And we've been doing awesome things on this land

for thousands of years.

We also have an incredible history,

full of people who stood up for Alaska Natives.

Elizabeth Pera..., Perato..., hmm...

BOTH: Elizabeth Peratrovich.

Yes, Elizabeth Peratrovich was amazing.

We're really sorry we said those things to you before.

When we get home, we're going to learn about

the Native people on the land where we live.

Because of you two, we know we need to do better.

♪ ♪

You keep that.

As a gift.

You never know when you need a little reminder.

Hey, everyone.

Molly here to answer your questions about life in Alaska.

Dillon from Santa Fe, New Mexico, asks,

"What do your other friends think of Elizabeth Peratrovich?"

Let's see!

KIDS: Hi, Molly!

(speaking Spanish) I'm Ephram.

(speaking Tlingit)

(speaking Tlingit)

I'm Diego SunWoo, and I live on Tlingit land.

I live on Dena'ina land.

(speaking Tlingit)

I live in the land of the Sugpiaq people.

In the show...

The tourists came in.

They said that Molly and Tooey

don't look Native enough.

The tourists judging them for who they were,

what they looked like.

If you feel racism, or you have been hurt by it, tell someone.

Molly and Tooey talked to Grandpa Nat and Auntie Merna

about Elizabeth Peratrovich.

Elizabeth is Tlingit, like us.

Her aunt told her that, the whole story behind her,

and how it wasn't right to keep out the Natives.

I would feel upset if someone told me

that I could not go into a store because I was Native.

She wrote letters and made speeches

that said people could not discriminate the Natives.

Molly and Tooey were very brave.

They talked with the tourists,

and they told them that they could dress however they wanted

and still be Native.

The lesson the tourists learned was that they were wrong.

They learned that what they were saying wasn't kind.

Molly and Tooey felt happy and proud.

I'm most proud of being Black.

I'm proud of being bilingual.

I'm proud of my skills at cooking.

I'm proud that I know people like Elizabeth Peratrovich

that helped stand up for our culture.

Be proud of who you are.

(speaking Tlingit)

(speaking Spanish) (speaking Korean)

Bye, Molly!

MOLLY: Mahsi'choo!

Thanks for asking and see you next time!

"Uqiquq."

(exhales)

♪ ♪

(bush rustling)

(chirping)

I slowly looked up from behind the log,

and then I saw it!

The ptarmigan was flying right over my head!

Fast as lightning!

Ooh!

I took an arrow, aimed, and...

He missed.

Hey!

This is my story!

Okay, I missed.

But it landed on a branch.

And then I got it!

That's when the ptarmigan gifted itself to Tooey.

Wow, Tooey!

Was that the very first animal you ever caught?

Yup, that's why I'm having a uqiquq.

Uqiquq?

It's a Yup'ik throw party.

The history is, when a boy caught his first seal,

his mother would give out the meat and oil

to the women and elders who couldn't provide for themselves.

This is how our communities always took care of one another.

At the party, we actually throw gifts out to the women.

It's our tradition-- you're invited!

Really? Wow!

I can't wait!

And Grandma Elizabeth will be there.

She's coming all the way from Kasigluk.

Have you decided what you're going to give her?

(sighs)

Uh-uh.

She's traveling over , miles to see me.

I want to give her something really special.

Don't worry, I'll help you think of something.

When's the party?

In three days.

(gasps): We better get started.

A bag of qiviut?

Too expensive.

A Tooey mannequin?

Too creepy.

A dance routine?

Too Trini.

(sighs and groans)

I just wanna give her

something really special.

What's Grandma Elizabeth

doing in this picture?

She was giving a speech at a school.

Grandma Elizabeth has taught the Yup'ik language all over Alaska.

(gasps): Why don't you give her a speech?

A speech in Yup'ik?

Whoa.

She would love that!

But I only know, like, four words in Yup'ik.

That's a really short speech.

Maybe Jay could help.

Wasn't he just teaching Yup'ik in that language camp in Bethel?

Yeah!

But Jay would never...

JAY: I'm in.

Meet me at the lake tomorrow.

(speaking Yup'ik)

That means : a.m. sharp.

♪ ♪

It's :.

Where's Jay?

(sighs): I bet he forgot.

(water splashes) (yelps)

Huh? Hm?

Quyana tailuci, language learners.

Oh, uh, hi.

Okay, so I wrote down a few things

I'd like to say to Grandma.

Nope, you're not ready yet.

We start with the basics.

But I only have two days!

Ooh, ahh, ohh.

Is he okay?

What are you doing?

Warm-ups!

To speak Yup'ik, you've gotta stretch those facial muscles.

Come on.

Eee.

Eee. Eee.

Ahh.

Ahh. Ahh.

Ohh...

Ohh... Ohh...

(laugh)

Good.

Now, let's try the alphabet.

There are sounds we use in Yup'ik.

Repeat after me-- ah.

Ah. Ah.

Ch. BOTH: Ch.

Kh.

(attempting sound)

Your mouth has to be wet enough to make the right sound.

Kh.

Kh. Kh.

Nice!

(phone chirps)

Ooh, gotta run an errand.

What?

But we didn't even get through the alphabet!

Who said class was over?

Come on!

♪ ♪

(bell jingles)

Hey, how's your Yup'ik lesson going?

Good!

Wait, how do I say that?

Assirtuq.

Assirtuq.

Quyana.

Now I can kegguciuq.

Kegguciuq?

Is that brush your teeth?

You're learning, Little Wolf.

(door opens, bell jingles)

Wait!

But I don't want to give a speech

about how Grandma brushes her teeth!

(sighs)

♪ ♪

(door closes)

(sighs)

Hmm, tough day?

Awful.

I'd say that in Yup'ik, but I don't know how.

The way Jay's teaching me,

I'm never gonna learn enough to give a speech in time.

He just wants you to appreciate

the whole language,

not just a few words for Grandma Elizabeth.

I know.

Besides, anything at all you say in Yup'ik

is going to warm her heart.

You think so?

I know so.

The language is very important to her.

Not only does she teach all over Alaska,

she also started her own Yup'ik language school in Fairbanks.

Wow! I never knew that!

Hey, maybe I should put that in my speech.

She only learned English when she was ten.

But then she went on to be the first person in her family

to go to college.

Do you think you could help me say some of this in Yup'ik?

I guess Jay is a good teacher,

but I could always use a little extra help.

Aang.

I know that one!

Yes!

Quyana, Aanaq.

Quyana...

Cake... cake... neq...

Mauru...

Kassi...

(sighs)

It's too hard!

Come on, you can do it.

Thank you, Grandma, for coming to Qyah.

Quyana cakeneq, Maurluq,

tailuten maavet Qayah-mun.

(attempting): Quyana cakeneq, Maurluq,

tailuten maavet, uh...

Qayah-mun?

Hmm, better.

You got this.

(Jay grunting)

Tough kid!

Quyana tailuci!

Oh, well, quyana for having me!

You've been learning Yup'ik!

Well, I've been trying.

You sound just as good as Jay when

I was first teaching him!

Ala-i, elitellrulliniuten!

Assirpaa!

You taught Jay?

How do you think I got to be such a good teacher?

(laughing)

Oh, it makes my heart happy to know my grandsons

are keeping our culture and language alive.

Oh!

That reminds me.

I, uh, I've got a surprise for you.

But I'm still working on it.

See you soon!

♪ ♪

Quyana for coming to Tooey's uqiquq

in honor of his first catch.

I will throw the gifts,

then Tooey has a special gift for Grandma Elizabeth.

Are you ready?

(neck cracks)

♪ ♪

(cheers)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Whoa!

Chocolate-covered salmonberries!

I actually needed moisturizer. Love this hat!

(sighs)

Tooey, you ready?

(exhales)

(clears throat)

Before I begin, I'm sorry if I mess up.

I'm still learning.

(slowly): Quyana cakeneq, Maurluq,

Kassi...

(sighs)

♪ ♪

(breathes deeply)

(quickly): Quyana cakeneq, Maurluq,

Kassiglumek tailuten maavet Qayah-mun.

Thank you, Grandma, for coming from Kasigluk to Qyah.

TOOEY: Quyana elitnaulliniluku

an'ngaga Jay-aq yuuyaraput, cali-llu qaneryaraq.

Thank you for teaching my older brother Jay

the Yup'ik way of life and the Yup'ik language.

Tua-i wani-wa elitnauranga cat elitellri ellpenek.

He's now teaching me what he learned from you.

My grandmother Elizabeth is an amazing woman.

She grew up in Kasigluk

and was the first person in her family to go to college.

And she even opened up her own Yup'ik school in Fairbanks.

Grandma,

I am proud to say that I am your grandson.

You're helping to keep our culture and our language alive.

Quyana cakeneq.

(sniffles)

Here's the ptarmigan I caught.

My very first catch.

♪ ♪

I'm so proud.

This is a day I will always remember.

Not bad, Little Wolf.

Quyana.

I had a great teacher.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪