A Short Biography
Rita Pitka Blumenstein
Ms. Blumenstein is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, aunt, sister, friend and tribal elder. She was born on a fishing boat and raised in the Yup’ik village of Tununak on Nelson Island, Alaska. Her cultural background included Yupi’ik, Aleut, Athabascan, and Russian. Rita’s early education came from studying with her mother, aunts, and village elders. Because of this unique education, she intimately understands the traditional ways and beliefs of her people. Well known as a traditional healer, teacher and artist who has spent over forty years investigating, producing, and passing on many aspects of Alaska Native culture such as song, drumming, skin sewing, basketry, storytelling, and use of plants for dyes and medicinal purposes.
Southcentral Foundation has certified Rita Blumenstein as a Tribal Doctor (the first certified in the state of Alaska to see Alaska Native and American Indian patients at the Alaska Native Medical Center, Primary Care Center). Her philosophy is that the person must be treated as a whole since the various parts (physical, mental, and spiritual) are dependent upon each other.
She has traveled and taught all over the world including 167 countries – Alaska Native plant medicine, basket weaving, songs and dances, leading cultural issue classes where she instructs on the “talking circle.” Her curriculums have been recorded and published, such as Earth Dyes: Nuunam Qaralirkai. Rita has always focused on the health and social development of people. Rita believes in quality, family wellness and personifies these values by promoting her culture throughout our global community. She believes in educating and healing others through sharing cultural and traditional ways to promote self awareness and understanding as well as empowering individuals to move from illness to wellness; creating a collaborative environment in which individuals choose their path or their way in the wellness process.