The week went by pretty fast. I spent all day Tuesday going over notes the previous teacher had left. She was single lady who came out here all alone and stayed five years. She had made very detailed notes on each student. In addition to Eddie Joe and the Twins there was plenty of information on Sally Deer and Jimmy Green and the seven children of the Fink family, missionaries from Montana.
Wednesday was a pleasant day. Eddie and the Twins had learned their lessons well. Eddie showed me an otter he had cleaned. It had to hang for three days outside he said then he could cut and eat it. I quickly counted the three days off in my mind and with a sigh of relief realized I would not be there for the feast. I am some what thankful. The Twins after their lesson review and new assignment showed me a traditional dance they had been practicing for the Thanksgiving tribal reunion that was to be held in a couple of weeks. Uncle Frank even played the drum but as usual never said anything or acknowledged me. That is the the first time I had heard about the party and didn't think I would be invited anyway, not being a member of the tribe. They assured me I was invited. "Everyone is invited, they have to come." I asked them where it would be and they said they would give me all the info I needed next week. I had wondered what we would do for Thanksgiving this year and wasn't really looking forward to the food we had in the cabin. It is good and nutritious of course but it isn't Thanksgiving turkey, cranberries, stuffing and such. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it.
Sally Deer and Jimmy Green lived relatively close to one another, meaning five miles or so. Sally was not a good student but her standardized tests and reading ability were far superior to any of the other students I had been assigned. Her mother and father were friendly but distant. Sally was just as friendly and just as distant. She showed me here work from the last teacher and accepted my assignment she was to have for our next visit with out asking any questions. She seemed a strange girl and the only thing I could think of at the time and even now is that she is a sad little girl.
Jimmy Green was an outgoing young man as was his mother. The father was no where to be seen and from the notes the former teacher left no one was really sure who he was. The mother's uncle had taught Jimmy how to be a provider and he, albeit 16, was doing a good job. His mother was extremely interested in Jimmy succeeding in school and the only Athabaskan parent so far that I have met that even hinted at college. Jimmy on the other had did not care at all for school, couldn't read hardly, knew nothing about practical math, forget writing, but he did have a verbal knowledge of his Athabaskan heritage and could hunt, fish, and provide just as well as most grown men. He is becoming what they call an Indian's Indian. That Thursday, Jimmy taught me more about the wild life in the area than I taught him about what a noun was. This one could be a challenge. His mother I think is learning more than he is.
The Finks were not part of my educational responsibility. Mrs. Fink home schools all there children until they reached the age of 14 and then they went away to a missionary school just outside of Fairbanks. They have 9 children seven of which were still in the home along the banks of the Big Lake. They supported themselves by donations from congregations they visited every year with some of the local Athabaskan children in tow. They also had a rich patron that gave them just enough cash to buy plenty of food, clothing, gasoline, and health services if it was needed. Their children were very well educated, Mr. and Mrs. Fink seem extremely happy and the kids seem content and well adjusted to a life in this part of Alaska. The two children away from home, were doing well according to official transcripts the Finks showed me proudly. My job concerning the Finks was only to make sure they were still doing well and provide any assistance they might need via text books or other material. I only have to stop by their place one a week. I think we will both enjoy the company.
So it is Saturday. Seems like I have been here a long time already. Not because I don't like it, but because I do. Not being an outdoor type of guy I find it a little strange that I enjoy the great outdoors. I like riding through the woods on the four wheeler, fishing off the dock, even cleaning the fish for supper. Of course I have only done that once so far but after today it will be twice. I am done for now, I am going fishing.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
North in Alaska - Holloween and the Little People
Well Mr. Sam was right.
At 5:30 in the morning we received our first trick-or-treats. The only thing odd, other than the time, was there were no children with the elderly couple at our door. We asked them in, offered them tea, and trying to be polite, asked them if they would like some home made biscuits. They agreed to both. A half our later another couple arrived but again with no children in tow. They knew our guests and in fact they were related some how we eventually figured out. They were invited for tea and biscuits also. Ten minuets after that three elderly ladies came to the door. Well the morning went on like that for the next three hours and at one time I counted 20 people in our little cabin drinking our years supply of tea, eating biscuits hurriedly made by Bev but still no children. Around 10:00 A.M. Some one decided to take a nap on the floor near the fire place and the others soon followed.
Bev and I left everyone where they were and went out side to discuss what to do. I was sure when they woke up from their nap they would want lunch and if the rest of the day was going to go like the morning we would have to result in using the gun and ammo we were left and become real subsistence livers in the north. Right about then I finally got to meet Big Bear Sam. He came strolling up out from between the trees and greeted me with a big bear hug like we were long lost friends. He did the same to Bev but it was understandable I guess because he had met her yesterday.
He immediately told us not to worry that everyone would be leaving before noon. It was like he had read our minds. He told us not to worry about the tea there would be more coming in a couple of days and not to judge the elderly to hard for going to sleep on the floor. Most of them had gotten up very early to make the trip and needed their rest before returning home insuring they would get there before night fall. "The little people you know."
I was about to follow up on this little people business when he said that there would not be many children come by this year so we could be very liberal with the candy. He said he would be back. I turned and looked at Bev and then turned back to ask Mr. Sam about the little people and he had apparently faded back into the woods.
Around noon the elders started to come out of their nap and one by one they thanked us for our hospitality and went back to where ever their homes were. Around one that afternoon families with children started showing up and we dutifully gave the kids a lot of candy and the parents tea, but they refused biscuits. By four o'clock everyone who was going to come had we were told by the last departing guest.
Bev and I were worn out due to all the visitors and sat on the porch and watched the sun go down over the mountains on the other side of the lake. We ate dinner and while we were watching a DVD a knock came to the door. I got up to answer it and when I opened it Mr. Sam stood their with a frown on his face. I asked him if anything was the matter. He said I should not have answered the door, it could have been the little people. After inviting him in for tea and some biscuits I finally had him cornered to ask what this little people thing was about.
He said the little people were sort of like what I might think of as leprechauns but much meaner and tougher. They would scout out people who were out late at night on Halloween and kidnap them and take them back to their hide a way over the mountains. They made slaves out of the ones whom they captured and once one was taken over the mountain they were never heard from again.
I did not believe him of course but he seem to believe what I considered a myth. I asked him why he was able to run around at night with out fear and he said it was because he was a Shaman and the little people dared not touch him. He left but not before me promising him that I would not open the door the rest of the night for any reason what so ever. I told him I wouldn't and for him not to worry. I turned to Bev and winked and when I turned back, Mr. Sam was gone.
About midnight a knock at the door woke me from a sound sleep. I started to get up and answer it but then thought to myself that the Robert W. Service poem stating there were strange things done in the midnight sun might just have some merit so I rolled back over and went to sleep. Who was I to challenge a ten thousand year old legend. After all I did believe in leprechauns.
At 5:30 in the morning we received our first trick-or-treats. The only thing odd, other than the time, was there were no children with the elderly couple at our door. We asked them in, offered them tea, and trying to be polite, asked them if they would like some home made biscuits. They agreed to both. A half our later another couple arrived but again with no children in tow. They knew our guests and in fact they were related some how we eventually figured out. They were invited for tea and biscuits also. Ten minuets after that three elderly ladies came to the door. Well the morning went on like that for the next three hours and at one time I counted 20 people in our little cabin drinking our years supply of tea, eating biscuits hurriedly made by Bev but still no children. Around 10:00 A.M. Some one decided to take a nap on the floor near the fire place and the others soon followed.
Bev and I left everyone where they were and went out side to discuss what to do. I was sure when they woke up from their nap they would want lunch and if the rest of the day was going to go like the morning we would have to result in using the gun and ammo we were left and become real subsistence livers in the north. Right about then I finally got to meet Big Bear Sam. He came strolling up out from between the trees and greeted me with a big bear hug like we were long lost friends. He did the same to Bev but it was understandable I guess because he had met her yesterday.
He immediately told us not to worry that everyone would be leaving before noon. It was like he had read our minds. He told us not to worry about the tea there would be more coming in a couple of days and not to judge the elderly to hard for going to sleep on the floor. Most of them had gotten up very early to make the trip and needed their rest before returning home insuring they would get there before night fall. "The little people you know."
I was about to follow up on this little people business when he said that there would not be many children come by this year so we could be very liberal with the candy. He said he would be back. I turned and looked at Bev and then turned back to ask Mr. Sam about the little people and he had apparently faded back into the woods.
Around noon the elders started to come out of their nap and one by one they thanked us for our hospitality and went back to where ever their homes were. Around one that afternoon families with children started showing up and we dutifully gave the kids a lot of candy and the parents tea, but they refused biscuits. By four o'clock everyone who was going to come had we were told by the last departing guest.
Bev and I were worn out due to all the visitors and sat on the porch and watched the sun go down over the mountains on the other side of the lake. We ate dinner and while we were watching a DVD a knock came to the door. I got up to answer it and when I opened it Mr. Sam stood their with a frown on his face. I asked him if anything was the matter. He said I should not have answered the door, it could have been the little people. After inviting him in for tea and some biscuits I finally had him cornered to ask what this little people thing was about.
He said the little people were sort of like what I might think of as leprechauns but much meaner and tougher. They would scout out people who were out late at night on Halloween and kidnap them and take them back to their hide a way over the mountains. They made slaves out of the ones whom they captured and once one was taken over the mountain they were never heard from again.
I did not believe him of course but he seem to believe what I considered a myth. I asked him why he was able to run around at night with out fear and he said it was because he was a Shaman and the little people dared not touch him. He left but not before me promising him that I would not open the door the rest of the night for any reason what so ever. I told him I wouldn't and for him not to worry. I turned to Bev and winked and when I turned back, Mr. Sam was gone.
About midnight a knock at the door woke me from a sound sleep. I started to get up and answer it but then thought to myself that the Robert W. Service poem stating there were strange things done in the midnight sun might just have some merit so I rolled back over and went to sleep. Who was I to challenge a ten thousand year old legend. After all I did believe in leprechauns.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
North in Alaska - The Twins, Settling in, Halloween Warning
The "Twins," Sally and Sara, are delightful girls. Their eyes sparkle, their voices radiate friendliness and their constant chatter overlaps and completes each others sentences. Their uncle, Uncle Frank, on the other hand is as dower and uncommunicative as anyone I have ever met. I immediately found out that if you wanted to talk to him you did so through one of the Twins. He claims not to speak English and given his ever present scowl I am not sure he would if he could.
Apparently the Twins parents were killed in a bear attack while the Twins were still infants and as is true in many Native American families the mother's uncle took charge of the girls and has raised them like his own. Regardless of his demeanor he must have done a good job because the Twins seem well adjusted, well read, well versed in the practical arts, and just all around good girls given the fact that they had spent the last 14 years in near isolation conditions.
There is no electricity in the cabins. The girls occupy one cabin and Uncle Frank has his own smaller version. The Internet was out of the question so I spent a little bit longer than normal in discussing with the girls how we ought to proceed with their education. Uncle Frank seemed to ignore us and continued working on some sort of animal hide. We, the Twins and I, agreed that I would come by each Tuesday and Thursday and spend three to four hours going over the previous lessons and assigning the next.
I asked Uncle Frank, through the Twins, if he had any questions and he just stared at me, turned and walked away. The Twins giggled and then hugged me goodby which I thought a little out of character for a student teacher relationship specifically and an Athabaskan in general to a non relative or tribal member. They were so natural about their physicality that no awkwardness was felt among the three of us.
It took me about an hour and a half to get back to our cabin. Bev had done wonders with organizing the place and our little house in the woods really looked like something Laura Ingles would have been proud of. We ate dinner consisting of beans and franks and she reminded me that Halloween was tomorrow and that for me not to plan any trips out to see students.
I looked at her rather puzzled and she said that Mr. Sam came by with a load of old Civil Defense hard candy in a great big tin and informed her that Halloween is a special time in this part of the world and that the trick or treaters start early and do not stay out past dark. We should expect visitors all day long he said. He was afraid that the school officials had not informed us of the local custom and he wanted us to get off on the right foot with the "neighbors."
He said there was much interest in us and that we would surely have people from miles around come by to get candy and visit. He said to offer the kids candy and the grown ups tea.
As he left he told her that there would be no visitors after night fall and that if anyone came to our door tomorrow after the sun went down not to answer the wrap at the door. He said that the little people would be roaming around and it was just not a good idea.
Neither of us have any idea what he is talking about.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
North in Alaksa - Eddie Joe
Eddie Joe lived about an hours ride on a well travelled wooded trail. He was the son of Ida Jones and Willie Smith. Ida and Willie had adopted Eddie Joe from Ida's older sister Sally. Sally already had 5 kids and Ida had none so it was just the thing to do. It is a custom that is very common in this part of the world. No one seems to go through any legal entanglements and everyone knows whom everyone is. No surprises later in life.
Their cabin was not as nice as the one we have and not as well kept. Ida and Willie have more important things to do, like make sure they have enough food on hand to get through the winter and are able to stretch their state dividend check far enough to buy ammunition, gasoline and things like that till the next dividend check or the Indian Corporation money comes in from the yearly profit sharing.
Ida and Willie were very hospitable and welcomed me as a long lost cousin. Eddie Joe and I talked for awhile just to get to know each other. I soon learned that Eddie Joe was pretty well versed in English and math. He did not know a whole lot about government or history other than his tribes history but even then only locally. His former teacher had left me notes about Eddie Joe and they were very accurate.
I gave him his assignment for next week along with my email address and told him if he needed any guidance along the way to please contact me.
I asked Willie about how to get to my next stop and he showed me on the map and put aside my fears that the map may not be all that accurate. After a cup of tea and a biscuit we bid farewell. My next stop was to be Sally and Sara Meaghan, the twins. It was another hour away.
Their cabin was not as nice as the one we have and not as well kept. Ida and Willie have more important things to do, like make sure they have enough food on hand to get through the winter and are able to stretch their state dividend check far enough to buy ammunition, gasoline and things like that till the next dividend check or the Indian Corporation money comes in from the yearly profit sharing.
Ida and Willie were very hospitable and welcomed me as a long lost cousin. Eddie Joe and I talked for awhile just to get to know each other. I soon learned that Eddie Joe was pretty well versed in English and math. He did not know a whole lot about government or history other than his tribes history but even then only locally. His former teacher had left me notes about Eddie Joe and they were very accurate.
I gave him his assignment for next week along with my email address and told him if he needed any guidance along the way to please contact me.
I asked Willie about how to get to my next stop and he showed me on the map and put aside my fears that the map may not be all that accurate. After a cup of tea and a biscuit we bid farewell. My next stop was to be Sally and Sara Meaghan, the twins. It was another hour away.
Friday, October 28, 2011
North in Alaska - At the Cabin
It took us about 4 hours to make it to the cabin. It is sort of a nice looking place, just like I pictured it to be. The men unloaded the gear from the sleds and the women helped put the canned and dry good away and filled up the smoke house which was a pleasant surprise.
Before they all waved good by and left us alone they did make sure that the boat, generator and four wheeler was working and that we had plenty of gas to run all of them for what they estimated would be about two weeks. They assured me that they would be back with more sooner than that. They also left me a rifle with a box of ammunition "just in case" they said.
Tomorrow I will take the four wheeler and start my visitations. This ought to be interesting. I guess the map is accurate. If you don't hear from me for several days you will know it wasn't.
Before they all waved good by and left us alone they did make sure that the boat, generator and four wheeler was working and that we had plenty of gas to run all of them for what they estimated would be about two weeks. They assured me that they would be back with more sooner than that. They also left me a rifle with a box of ammunition "just in case" they said.
Tomorrow I will take the four wheeler and start my visitations. This ought to be interesting. I guess the map is accurate. If you don't hear from me for several days you will know it wasn't.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
North in Alaska - It Will Be Fine
Well I guess I should not have been so hard on everything the other day. I was just tired from the long trip from Tucson to the little Athabaskan village just north of the Arctic Circle. Besides we will only be here for a few weeks but it can be a culture shock. I had forgotten the reality of the bush.
She was not down because of the surroundings, it was I found out later, more because she knew I was upset fearing I had lead her astray. Oh well. The supplies should get in tomorrow and the convoy to our cabin should take place soon after that.
When I got the offer to be a travelling teacher I jumped at the chance even if it was only going to be for a few weeks. How really could I turn it down. A log cabin and four wheeler along with a motor boat came with the deal and all I had to do was venture out two times a week and make home visits to kids and answer any of their questions from the lessons they took over the Internet from long distance schooling at the University of Alsaks-Fairbanks. This ought to be a pretty good adventure. The only down side is that I have to keep the generator running and I am not mechanically inclined. In a pinch they told me Big Bear Sam lived about a mile away and he could always be counted on to help. Between the out board motor, four wheeler, and generator I suspect Mr. Sam and I will become good friends.
She was not down because of the surroundings, it was I found out later, more because she knew I was upset fearing I had lead her astray. Oh well. The supplies should get in tomorrow and the convoy to our cabin should take place soon after that.
When I got the offer to be a travelling teacher I jumped at the chance even if it was only going to be for a few weeks. How really could I turn it down. A log cabin and four wheeler along with a motor boat came with the deal and all I had to do was venture out two times a week and make home visits to kids and answer any of their questions from the lessons they took over the Internet from long distance schooling at the University of Alsaks-Fairbanks. This ought to be a pretty good adventure. The only down side is that I have to keep the generator running and I am not mechanically inclined. In a pinch they told me Big Bear Sam lived about a mile away and he could always be counted on to help. Between the out board motor, four wheeler, and generator I suspect Mr. Sam and I will become good friends.
Monday, October 24, 2011
North in Alaska - The Adventure Begins
We arrived yesterday. This is the most dismal looking place I have ever seen. Nothing like the pictures you see. The village is dirty, the houses are little more than plywood shacks and the teacher housing, at least for us, is some where next to the type you would find in the ghetto.
There are fly's all over the place, our food has not arrived, we have no phone or TV yet and we only get one station on the radio. We are very remote here, you can feel it, we feel forlorn and even with both of us here we cannot help feeling alone and isolated. A silence has fallen between us but it isn't out of anger. I think I might have made a mistake.
Women are the ones who are the real pioneers and are the back bone. They make a house a home. She is doing all the right things but I can tell her heart is not in it. It pains me to see her unhappy.
It is 52 degrees outside, the wind is out of the west at 17 mph.
The school building is the pits. My classroom is OK and in all fairness everyone we have met, native and teacher, have been very nice and helpful. This is a good thing I guess given the fact that yesterday we were all strangers.
There are fly's all over the place, our food has not arrived, we have no phone or TV yet and we only get one station on the radio. We are very remote here, you can feel it, we feel forlorn and even with both of us here we cannot help feeling alone and isolated. A silence has fallen between us but it isn't out of anger. I think I might have made a mistake.
Women are the ones who are the real pioneers and are the back bone. They make a house a home. She is doing all the right things but I can tell her heart is not in it. It pains me to see her unhappy.
It is 52 degrees outside, the wind is out of the west at 17 mph.
The school building is the pits. My classroom is OK and in all fairness everyone we have met, native and teacher, have been very nice and helpful. This is a good thing I guess given the fact that yesterday we were all strangers.
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