GUEST: This book is about the first Yup'ik writing.

And this was written by my grandfather.

And he learned to read and write this, um, written Yup'ik language from Uyaquq.

And he was known as Helper Neck.

APPRAISER: I think this is an amazing book.

As you were saying, Uyaquq means "neck" in Yup'ik.

GUEST: In Yup'ik, yeah.

APPRAISER: And basically Uyaquq was a helper in the Moravian Church, which, hence the name Helper Neck.

Quite fascinating that he did this in five years and then started teaching it to others.

GUEST: Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER: Can you tell me a little bit more about your grandfather, and how long maybe it took him to even learn how to do this himself?

GUEST: Um, both my grandparents learned to read and write like this.

I grew up living with my grandmother as a little girl.

And she would read and write that.

That was the only way she could read and write.

But I didn't pay attention at the time.

But then... APPRAISER: So you never learned yourself?

GUEST: No.

I don't know of anybody that can read and write Helper Neck's writing today.

And my grandparents did not speak English.

They only spoke Yup'ik.

And I couldn't read that, so, um, but I've got his manuscript.

And I've also got my grandmother's manuscripts.

APPRAISER: And do you know if there's any of these anywhere else, maybe?

GUEST: I heard that there was two other manuscripts, or books, I called them, but they were at, uh, museums.

And my grandfather went to villages and taught other people the writing, and they always called it Uyaquq, Uyaqum igai, which means "Helper Neck's writing."

APPRAISER: And what does this mean to you?

GUEST: I grew up watching that.

Not my grandfather's writing, but my grandmother's.

So they mean a lot to me, just because of the history.

APPRAISER: So one of the things that I think is very important about this piece is, as we've known through Alaska Native cultures and the languages, that they have been dying off for a very long time.

Some of them are almost extinct.

And so it's really wonderful to be able to see and have this written Yup'ik language and being something that is a strong example of carrying on the Yup'ik language and culture, and making sure that it's preserved for future generations.

I think it's very precious and obviously priceless for you and your family.

I would probably s, insure a book like this for maybe over $100,000.

But I also think that it's so unique in its nature that it would take some more research with other people to find out a little bit more about it.

And maybe the price and value could go up.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: But it's a treasure.

GUEST: Mm-hmm, yes, it is-- thank you.

APPRAISER: Mahsi'choo.

GUEST: Mm-hmm, quyana.

APPRAISER: You are somebody that speaks Yup'ik yourself.

This is something that you could be very proud of.

GUEST: Yes.