Rita Pitka Blumenstein
Encyclopedia
Rita Pitka Blumenstein was the first certified traditional doctor in Alaska
and works for the Southcentral Foundation
. Blumenstein gained international recognition as a healer and has resided on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
- a group of spiritual elders, medicine women
and wisdom keepers since its founding in 2004.
, Nelson Island
, Alaska, Blumenstein was born whilst her mother was in a fishing boat. Blumenstein felt that not having her father around when she was a girl, her father died a month before she was born, caused her to have a lot of anger as a child.
Blumenstein was given a Yupik name means 'Tail End Clearing of the Pathway to the Light' - Rita sees the poetry in the name as she regards herself as being born during, "the tail end of the old ways"
Blumenstein's healing abilities were recognised by the wise elders (grandmothers) of her tribe from an early age. Blumenstein began healing at the age of 4.
At the age of 9, Blumenstein's great-grandmother gave her thirteen eagle feathers and thirteen stones to give to the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. 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.
man, for 43 years. Five of Blumenstein's 6 children have also died. Blumenstein's own health has not always been good and in 1995, she found that she had cancer
. Blumenstein saw that being diagnosed with cancer made her realise that she needed to heal
herself at a 'deeper' level - concluding that the cancer was due to being angry that her father had not been present in her early years. Blumenstein is training her granddaughter to follow in her footsteps in order to be a healer and to know their Yupik traditions.
" have been published.
and come from all four directions of the world.
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church
to revoke a 15th century Papal bull
and related edict
s which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City
in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees are yet to be revoked.
, the Yupik and her mayor
declared the 18 February to be Rita Pitka Blumenstein day.
In 2009, Blumenstein was one of fifty women inducted into the inaugural class of the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and works for the Southcentral Foundation
Southcentral Foundation
Southcentral Foundation is an Alaska Native health care organization established by Cook Inlet Region, Inc. in 1982 to improve the health and social conditions of Alaska Natives, enhance culture, and empower individuals and families to take charge of their lives. Alaska Native people own, manage,...
. Blumenstein gained international recognition as a healer and has resided on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers is a group of Spiritual Elders who came together in 2004 to form an international alliance of indigenous female elders...
- a group of spiritual elders, medicine women
Medicine man
"Medicine man" or "Medicine woman" are English terms used to describe traditional healers and spiritual leaders among Native American and other indigenous or aboriginal peoples...
and wisdom keepers since its founding in 2004.
Early life
Born to her recently widowed mother who lived in the village of TununakTununak, Alaska
Tununak is a census-designated place in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 325.-Geography:Tununak is located at ....
, Nelson Island
Nelson Island (Alaska)
Nelson Island is an island in the Bethel Census Area of southwestern Alaska. It is 42 miles long and 20–35 miles wide. With an area of 843 square miles , it is the 15th largest island in the United States...
, Alaska, Blumenstein was born whilst her mother was in a fishing boat. Blumenstein felt that not having her father around when she was a girl, her father died a month before she was born, caused her to have a lot of anger as a child.
Blumenstein was given a Yupik name means 'Tail End Clearing of the Pathway to the Light' - Rita sees the poetry in the name as she regards herself as being born during, "the tail end of the old ways"
Blumenstein's healing abilities were recognised by the wise elders (grandmothers) of her tribe from an early age. Blumenstein began healing at the age of 4.
At the age of 9, Blumenstein's great-grandmother gave her thirteen eagle feathers and thirteen stones to give to the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. 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.
Family life
Blumenstein was married to her late husband, a JewishJews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
man, for 43 years. Five of Blumenstein's 6 children have also died. Blumenstein's own health has not always been good and in 1995, she found that she had cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. Blumenstein saw that being diagnosed with cancer made her realise that she needed to heal
Healing
Physiological healing is the restoration of damaged living tissue, organs and biological system to normal function. It is the process by which the cells in the body regenerate and repair to reduce the size of a damaged or necrotic area....
herself at a 'deeper' level - concluding that the cancer was due to being angry that her father had not been present in her early years. Blumenstein is training her granddaughter to follow in her footsteps in order to be a healer and to know their Yupik traditions.
Work as healer and doctor
After Blumenstein started healing people from the age of 4. Rita carried on learning from her elders to become the first certified traditional doctor in Alaska and presently works for the Southcentral Foundation.Work as a teacher
Blumenstein has taught in over 150 countries. Also, her teachings about the "Talking circleTalking circle
A council circle is a distinctive archological and architectrual artifact that is found at the center of some tribal villages in North America. The historical function of the council circles is debated by experts...
" have been published.
The International Council of 13 Grandmothers
In 2004, Blumenstein was approached by The Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. These thirteen grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and shamanShamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
and come from all four directions of the world.
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
to revoke a 15th century Papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
and related edict
Edict
An edict is an announcement of a law, often associated with monarchism. The Pope and various micronational leaders are currently the only persons who still issue edicts.-Notable edicts:...
s which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees are yet to be revoked.
Acclaim within Alaska
In 2006 both Blumenstein's tribeTribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
, the Yupik and her mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
declared the 18 February to be Rita Pitka Blumenstein day.
In 2009, Blumenstein was one of fifty women inducted into the inaugural class of the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.