| Rita Pitka Blumenstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tununak, Nelson Island, Alaska |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Tail End Clearing of the Pathway to the Light |
| Ethnicity | Yupik |
| Occupation | Tribal Doctor |
| Known for | traditional healer, teacher, artist |
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.[1]
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Born to her recently widowed mother who lived in the village of Tununak, Nelson Island, Alaska, Blumenstein was born whilst her mother was in a fishing boat.[2] 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.[3]
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"[4]
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.[3]
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.[5]
Blumenstein was married to her late husband, a Jewish man, for 43 years. Five of Blumenstein's 6 children have also died.[6] 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.[3] Blumenstein is training her granddaughter to follow in her footsteps in order to be a healer and to know their Yupik traditions.[6]
After Blumenstein started healing people from the age of 4.[3] Rita carried on learning from her elders to become the first certified traditional doctor in Alaska and presently works for the Southcentral Foundation.[7]
Blumenstein has taught in over 150 countries. Also, her teachings about the "Talking circle" have been published.[6]
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 shaman and come from all four directions of the world.[8]
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 edicts 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.[9]
In 2006 both Blumenstein's tribe, the Yupik and her mayor declared the 18 February to be Rita Pitka Blumenstein day.[6]
In 2009, Blumenstein was one of fifty women inducted into the inaugural class of the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.[10]