Understanding the Term 'Eskimo' | ANTIQUES ROADSHOW in Alaska | PBS

Official Website: to.pbs.org/3f5Lkw3 | #antiquesroadshow
During ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’s July 2023 tour stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, we sat down and spoke with Aaron Leggett, the president of the Native Village of Eklutna. Watch as Leggett discusses the geographic and linguistic history of the word “Eskimo,” and breaks down the societal misconceptions that are ingrained in the media today.
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#alaska #anchorage #alaskanative #alaskahistory
Music credit: "Intro" by Cobson

[@nqgamer]

Can honestly say, I’ve never had any negative thoughts or connotations associated with the word Eskimo. When I think of them, I’m genuinely stunned at their ability to survive in such a brutal climate.

[@lavieenlavande]

This was really informative but the background music was way too loud and very distracting. It was difficult to focus on what Aaron Leggett was saying with that going on.

[@freedomfries6618]

What is going on with that music? Good lord, was that aggravating.

[@nodramamama3438]

I remember as a kid being informed about calling our northern natives Inuit. I only use Eskimo when describing the pie lol

[@MemphiStig]

Thanks for explaining this. I've always wondered but never heard a native's perspective. (I suppose even the word "native" will be obsolete in 20 years.) Regardless, I'll still love the "eskimo and butterfly, Daddy" scene in The Untouchables, because it's just so endearing.

[@glumreaper8885]

"Native" will at least always have an accurate connotation, as in native plants or native language both reflecting something that was there originally. Native people (with capital N) is basically a way of classifying a broad original nationality, but it means the people present before nationalism. Instead of Native being phased out in future years, we hope to call tribal people recognized by the broad term Native as well as their tribal ethnicities.

[@Thomas-yr9ln]

I didn't know Frank from American pickers was a Eskimo.

[@janeanf123]

Take the music out. What a distraction. 💔

[@padamek]

It's probably to make it easier to find with the copyright tools on RUclips. They have to assume someone will rip parts of this and repost it?

[@thejwards]

In the title caption for Mr. Leggett, PBS misspelled "EKLUTNA". Seems worth fixing, PBS.

[@RoadshowPBS]

Thank you for pointing that out! We can't switch out this video but have made a change to the video on our website.

[@annetttt]

I found the background music offensive

[@myradioon]

But many Eskimos did live in Igloos. Just sayin'.

[@richardtoonkel6484]

Loose the music.

[@hyjacker]

Cree word for raw meat eater

[@AK2HI]

To sum up, Eskimo is white man word and not native

[@terimcclaren4516]

Terrible loud music….

[@GAMakin]

Stereotypical terminologies damage us all.

[@ZeroDrizzy]

Actually quite different. Stereotypes are just patterns evolution has spent countless different designs to protect you. Stereotypes are important for all of our survival. Stereotypes are just patterns our ancestors discovered. Doesnt always have to be racist but most I know could care less.

[@GAMakin]

@@ZeroDrizzy What comes to mind when you hear the word "squaw".

[@ZeroDrizzy]

@@GAMakin My family is mixed blend of white/black and my grandma and aunts are apart of the reservation so…. What’s it mean to you?

[@GAMakin]

​@@1969wareid NEH!
From Wikipedia:
The English word squaw is an ethnic and sexual slur,[1][2][3][4] historically used for Indigenous North American women.[1][5] Contemporary use of the term, especially by non-Natives, is considered derogatory, misogynist, and racist.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Among the Wyandot (French derivative: Huron), referring to a woman by the equivalent term might get your yarbells trimmed.

[@allouttabubblegum1984]

victimhood is not virtuous.

[@danielmorris7648]

When you have this much privilege everything seems offensive, grow up, go outside.

[@annedwyer797]

"this much privilege"??

[@YooTooobJeff]

There’s NOTHING wrong with Eskimo (originally written Esquimeaux) nor is it disparaging… grow up Aaron, none of the “caricatures” you speak of are less than complimentary… of course in Canada you have to be told how to think and speak, so THERE’S the REAL disparagement to you if there is any

[@glumreaper8885]

"what should we call you?"
"my name is @yootooobjeff"
"no I'm calling you Blue Man"
"but... I've always been called @yootooobjeff and I prefer that word"
"Shush, Blue Man, stop talking. I've already stolen your house. You're called Mad Man. It's not even a big deal. Blue Man doesn't mean anything bad. It's just a name."

[@sleepingtiger2096]

Alaska has many different indigenous tribes. Growing up here, I knew many who were irritated to be called Eskimo when they were in fact not, but lumped into a name because they were also in Alaska. People often forget that Alaska is almost as wide as the continental United States from it's farthest edges and assume the indigenous people are all "Eskimos". That has always been the problem that I am aware of. They prefer to be called their appropriate tribal names.