Transcript: Reverend Dr. Michael James Oleksa, Ph.D.
[Oleksa:]
Doctors will say, “Can you come next Wednesday at three o’clock?” And they’ll say, “I don't know.” Which—“I don't know in Yup’ik” means “No.” So the doctor will then say, “Well, how about two or four?” And they’ll say again, “I don’t know.” Unless the appointment secretary or the physician can say, “Well, if the weather is good next Tuesday, and you happen to be in town, then and you might stop by, we might go over your x-rays.” “Okay, fine. Good.” That’s an appointment. So it’s just the reluctance to talk about the future as if you were in charge of it or in control of it. That comes across culturally as an arrogant position, and it’s almost tempting fate. If you make a commitment, absolutely next Thursday at three, you’re not going to be there next Thursday at for one reason or another. Totally unforeseen at this point, but it’s predictable. And the more you live in rural areas where transportation is iffy, the more realistic that becomes. It’s not like you don’t want to show up for your appointment, it’s just that you need to speak the truth and be careful not to say anything or make commitments that you can’t keep.