Bibliography of Sources on Dena’ina and Cook Inlet Anthropology Through 2016

This version 4.3 will be the final version for this bibliography, a project that was begun in 1993 by Greg Dixon. We have intentionally excluded all potential references for the year 2017. This version is about 29 pages longer and has about 211 entries added since the previous version 3.1 of 2012. Aaron Leggett has added over fifty sources many being rare items from newpapers and magazines. Also many corrections and additions were made to entries in earlier versions.I wish to thank Kenaitze Indian Tribe and the “Dena’ina Language Revitalization Project” for their support for several projects during 2017-2018, including this Vers. 4.3. Previous versions have had partial support from "Dena'ina Archiving, Training and Access" project (NSF-OPP 0326805, 2004) and from Lake Clark National Park. I thank Katherine Arndt of Alaska & Polar Regions at UAF for her careful proofreading

Technology and the origin of human hemispheric asymmetry

This paper proposes that human asymmetrical hemispheric function originated because of the cognitive requirements of tool-making. The human brain can be considered to be a product of two evolutionary episodes. The first episode was shared with other mammals and resulted in a brain composed of a reptilian complex, paleomammalian and bilaterally symmetrical neomammalian structures. The second episode represents a break from a bilaterally symmetrical mammalian brain indicated by asymmetrically functioning hemispheres specialized for sequencing motor action (left) and spatial processing (right). Several models have been advanced to explain the origin of asymmetry including: a cognitive mapping model proposed by Webster (1977) (right hemisphere specialization); a language model proposed by Hewes (1973) and Kimura (1976) (left hemisphere specialization for language sequencing); and a praxic ordering model rooted in Kimura's language model and developed by Frost (1980) and Corballis (1982). This suggests tool behavior selected for left hemisphere motor sequencing through unimanual activity as reflected in the propensity toward right-handedness. Any satisfactory model must account for both left and right hemisphere specializations which none of the above taken separately do. A close look at the cognitive requirements of tool-making indicates the need for both motor sequencing and spatial processing. The process of making an artifact implies a change in matter from unorganized to organized form by a series of motor actions produced in a defined sequence. That sequence, however, appears to be guided a priori by a mental template of the intended result. This sequence/template model of tool production requires both sequential motor action and the ability to produce mental templates (spatial images) of the intended form and suggests selection for both left hemisphere specialization and right hemisphere specialization as well as the necessity for the two processes to communicate

Association between gene methylation and experiences of historical trauma in Alaska Native peoples

Abstract Background Historical trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples of North America is correlated with health disparities and is hypothesized to be associated with DNA methylation. Massive group traumas such as genocide, loss of land and foodways, and forced conversion to Western lifeways may be embodied and affect individuals, families, communities, cultures, and health. This study approaches research with Alaska Native people using a community-engaged approach designed to create mutually-beneficial partnerships, including intentional relationship development, capacity building, and sample and data care. Methods A total of 117 Alaska Native individuals from two regions of Alaska joined the research study. Participants completed surveys on cultural identification, historical trauma (historical loss scale and historical loss associated symptoms scale), and general wellbeing. Participants provided a blood sample which was used to assess DNA methylation with the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array. Results We report an association between historical loss associated symptoms and DNA methylation at five CpG sites, evidencing the embodiment of historical trauma. We further report an association between cultural identification and general wellbeing, complementing evidence from oral narratives and additional studies that multiple aspects of cultural connection may buffer the effects of and/or aid in the healing process from historical trauma. Conclusion A community-engaged approach emphasizes balanced partnerships between communities and researchers. Here, this approach helps better understand embodiment of historical trauma in Alaska Native peoples. This analysis reveals links between the historical trauma response and DNA methylation. Indigenous communities have been stigmatized for public health issues instead caused by systemic inequalities, social disparities, and discrimination, and we argue that the social determinants of health model in Alaska Native peoples must include the vast impact of historical trauma and ongoing colonial violence

National Context, Religiosity and Volunteering: Results From 53 Countries

Contains fulltext : 55660.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)To what extent does the national religious context affect volunteering? Does a religious environment affect the relation between religiosity and volunteering? To answer these questions, this study specifies individual level, contextual level, and cross-level interaction hypotheses. The authors test the hypotheses by simultaneously studying the impact of religiosity of individuals, the national religious context, and their interplay on volunteering while controlling for possible confounding factors both at individual and contextual levels. Based on multilevel analyses on data from 53 countries, frequent churchgoers are more active in volunteer work and a devout national context has an additional positive effect. However, the difference between secular and religious people is substantially smaller in devout countries than in secular countries. Church attendance is hardly relevant for volunteering in devout countries. Furthermore, religious volunteering has a strong spillover effect, implying that religious citizens also volunteer more for secular organizations. This spillover effect is stronger for Catholics than for Protestants, non-Christians and nonreligious individuals.20 p

Ancient human parallel lineages within North America contributed to a coastal expansion.

Little is known regarding the first people to enter the Americas and their genetic legacy. Genomic analysis of the oldest human remains from the Americas showed a direct relationship between a Clovis-related ancestral population and all modern Central and South Americans as well as a deep split separating them from North Americans in Canada. We present 91 ancient human genomes from California and Southwestern Ontario and demonstrate the existence of two distinct ancestries in North America, which possibly split south of the ice sheets. A contribution from both of these ancestral populations is found in all modern Central and South Americans. The proportions of these two ancestries in ancient and modern populations are consistent with a coastal dispersal and multiple admixture events

Ancient human parallel lineages within North America contributed to a coastal expansion.

Little is known regarding the first people to enter the Americas and their genetic legacy. Genomic analysis of the oldest human remains from the Americas showed a direct relationship between a Clovis-related ancestral population and all modern Central and South Americans as well as a deep split separating them from North Americans in Canada. We present 91 ancient human genomes from California and Southwestern Ontario and demonstrate the existence of two distinct ancestries in North America, which possibly split south of the ice sheets. A contribution from both of these ancestral populations is found in all modern Central and South Americans. The proportions of these two ancestries in ancient and modern populations are consistent with a coastal dispersal and multiple admixture events