Rita Pitka Blumenstein

Alaska Native healer and artist (1936–2021)

Rita Pitka Blumenstein

Born| (1933-07-11)July 11, 1933

Tununak, Nelson Island, Alaska, US

Died| August 6, 2021(2021-08-06) (aged 88)

Anchorage, Alaska, US

Nationality| American
Other names| Tail End Clearing of the Pathway to the Light
Occupation| Spiritual healer
Known for| Traditional healer, teacher, traditional basketweaver, artist

Rita Pitka Blumenstein (Yup'ik, July 11, 1933 – August 6, 2021) was the first certified traditional doctor in Alaska.[1] She worked for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Blumenstein was a member of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers—a group of spiritual elders, medicine women and wisdom keepers—since its founding in 2004.[2]: 2

## Early life

[edit]

Blumenstein was born in a fishing boat[2]: 43–46  in the village of Tununak, Nelson Island, Alaska.[3] Her father died a month before she was born, and she felt angry not having her father around when she was a girl.[2]: 46  Some of her earliest memories were her mother and grandmother showing her how to make baskets as a young girl.[3]

Blumenstein was given a Yup'ik name which translates as "Tail End Clearing of the Pathway to the Light." Rita saw the poetry in the name as she regarded herself as being born during "the tail end of the old ways."[2]: 45

## Career

[edit]

At the age of 15, Blumenstein spent seven months demonstrating basketry on a tour that was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution,[4] and the Smithsonian purchased one of the baskets she made in this period.[5] In the 1970s Blumenstein taught basketry at Matanuska–Susitna College in Alaska, working with techniques she learned as a child,[3] a process she described as a living interaction.[6] In 1987 she served as a translator for an exhibit on baskets that was presented at the Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum.[7]

Blumenstein's healing abilities were recognized by the elder grandmothers of her tribe from an early age. Blumenstein began healing at the age of 4.[2]: 46

At the age of 9, Blumenstein's great-grandmother gave her 13 eagle feathers and 13 stones to give to the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.[8] Years later, when the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers convened for the first time, Blumenstein passed out these precious objects to the rest of the members with tears in her eyes.[2]: 48–49

After Blumenstein started healing people from the age of 4,[2]: 46  she "worked at many hospitals delivering babies as a doctor's aide in Bethel and Nome".[9] Rita carried on learning from her elders to become the first certified traditional doctor in Alaska[10] and worked for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.[11]

Blumenstein taught in more than 150 countries on cultural issues, basket weaving, song, and dance, "earning money for Native American Colleges."[2]: 48 [9] Her teachings about the "Talking circle" have been published.[2]: 48

In 2004, Blumenstein was approached by the Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. The council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, and traditional teachings on wisdom. The council would go on to have an audience with religious leaders such as Pope Benedict XVI and the Dalai Lama later on. She was interviewed on her work with the Council by the Women Rising Radio Project in 2011.[12]

## Personal life

[edit]

Blumenstein was married to her husband, who was Jewish, for 43 years. Five of Blumenstein's six children have also died.[2]: 48  Blumenstein's own health had not always been good and in 1995, she found that she had cancer.[1] Blumenstein saw that being diagnosed with cancer made her realize that she needed to heal herself at a "deeper" level and concluded that the cancer was due to her being angry that her father had not been present in her early years.[2]: 46  Blumenstein was training her granddaughter to also to be a healer and to know her Yup'ik traditions.[2]: 48 [13]

## Selected publications

[edit]

* Blumenstein, Rita Pitka; Institute of Alaska Native Arts (Alaska) (1984). Earth dyes = nuunam qaralirkai. Fairbanks, Alaska (P.O. Box 80583, Fairbanks 99708): The Institute. OCLC 16268956.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location (link)[14]

## Awards and honors

[edit]

In 1987 Blumenstein received an award from the governor of Alaska[15] in recognition of her work with basketry and dance.[16]

In 2006, both Blumenstein's Yup'ik people and her mayor declared the February 18th to be Rita Pitka Blumenstein day.[2]: 48

In 2009, Blumenstein was one of 50 women inducted into the inaugural class of the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.[17]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Rita Pitka Blumenstein – Alaska at Evergreen". The Evergreen State College. 2009-03-18. Archived from the original on 2020-08-30. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Schaefer, Carol (2006). Grandmothers Counsel the World: Women Elders Offer Their Vision for Our Planet. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-1-59030-293-4.
3. ^ a b c "Rita teaches basketry". Tundra Times. 1976-05-12. p. 8 – via newspapers.com.
4. ^ Stadem, Catherine (1988-03-20). "Weaving feelings". Anchorage Times. pp. H1, H4. Retrieved 2025-01-13 – via newspapers.com.
5. ^ Poulson, James (1989-07-14). "Artist shows skills at fine arts camp". Daily Sitka Sentinel. pp. 1, 8. Retrieved 2025-01-13 – via newspapers.com.
6. ^ Hauck, Shirley (1989-12-03). "For Blumenstein, learning basketry meant living it". Anchorage Times. p. 45 – via newspapers.com.
7. ^ Ingram, Jan (1983-03-27). "Show of Pacific Rim basketry is a loosely woven exhibition". Anchorage Daily News. p. 45 – via newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Heartland: Just Like Grandma Told You". Utne Reader. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
9. ^ a b "13 Indigenous Grandmothers". 2011.
10. ^ "Rita Pitka Blumenstein". Anchorage Daily News. 2002-07-27. p. 15. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
11. ^ "From temp to Tribal doctor". Anchorage Daily News. 2020-02-23. p. A14 – via newspapers.com.
12. ^ "Women Rising XI: International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers". Women Rising Radio Project. 2011-10-21. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
13. ^ Gianturco, Paola (2012). Grandmother power : a global phenomenon. Internet Archive. Brooklyn, NY : PowerHouse Books. p. 178\. ISBN 978-1-57687-611-4.
14. ^ O'Meara, Jan (1985-07-25). "Native artisans work to preserve their way of life". Homer News. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
15. ^ "Homer residents honored by governor". Homer News. 1987-04-16. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
16. ^ "Three win governor's arts awards". Anchorage Times. 1987-04-19. p. 85. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
17. ^ "Rita Blumenstein". www.alaskawomenshalloffame.org. Alaska Women's Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 13 January 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* "Rita Blumenstein". jukebox.uaf.edu. Project Jukebox: Digital Branch of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Oral History Program.
* 27 minute interview with Rita Blumenstein from 11 March 1986 or 1987 via jukebox.uaf.edu
* "The Passing of a Legend: Rita Pitka Blumenstein (1936-August 6, 2021)", AIANNA Caucus
* Cochran, Patrica A. "Rita's Bio". wisdom.heartmindway.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
* "Grandmother Rita Pikta Blumenstein: "Tail End Clearing of the Pathway to Light"". Native Village. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. "Text adapted from: "Grandmothers Council the World: Women Elders Offer Their Vision For Our Planet" by Carol Schaefer"
* Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

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