The Interviewing of Mrs. Henrietta Naneng - Alaska

This interview was first published in Whispering Wind.  American Indian: Past and Present
Vol. 33  No. 6

Arctic Circle.  Native Life and Culture in Alaska

"The Interviewing of Mrs. Henrietta Naneng"

Two of my better students were given an assignment to interview a village elder.  The two girls were, Florence Naukusuk and May Lola Joe.  What follows is an edited version of the paper they submitted.

"A log time ago in the sprig time we use to put the fresh seal blubber in a can and boil it.  We would then put it in clean snow and and chew it like you do gum today.  It was much better for our teeth than the chewing gum you use today.

"We would play outside all day log.  We did not have insulated boots like you do but our mukluks were much warmer than yours I bet.

"When the men would catch a seal the wives would cut the seal up and yell 'UKUKIKIA'!

"Our mud houses were very warm and the windows were covered by intestines from the walrus and seal.

"In the summer we would camp near the ocean.  We dug for clams and watched for whales.  Some people would get a lot of clams because they were easy to find but not everyone got a whale.  It was a big celebration when we did and the whole village shared in the kill."

Mrs Naneng was married on August 2, 1953 to Mr. Walter Naneng.  She said he was a good hunter and that their house never went without food.  He was especially good at hunting and killing seal.  He was always able to catch a lot of black fish. 

She told us that the people were not mischief or mean, they were always friendly to one another. 

They did not use any primer stoves.  They would use seal oil laps but only at night time.  They did not have any toys.  They made Eskimo dolls to play with.  They made a family of dolls.  Some people use to tell stores by drawing in the mud with long knives.  They walked around the tundra for cranberries, black berries and salmon berries.

"Life was hard but good,"  Mrs. Naneng said.  "It still is."