Timeline

Late 1800s:  Royal Army discovers Point Barrow. It was settled at a different date.  Barrow was named after Sir John Barrow.     

1884 :  Pacific Steam Whaling Company of San Francisco established a whaling station in Barrow.

1888 :  Presbyterian Church is established.  Leander M. Stevenson was the first Presbyterian Missionary.  But it was Dr. Horatio Marsh who organized the first church.

1901:  First Post Office opens.  Prior to this date mail was delivered to Barrow via dog sleds.

1935:  Airport was dedicated to Wiley Post, a great flier and Will Rogers, popular humorist after their plane crashed.  More importantly an air service in Barrow was established. 

  

1972:  Alaska Native Claims Settlement was brought to the region.  Alaska was divided up into 12 different regions.  The 13^th region is for natives who live in the lower 48.

1988:  Operation Breakthrough occurred when three gray whales were trapped in the ice.

Cause and Effect

Due to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 the transportation of baleen and oil to San Francisco much cheaper and faster. Whaling is a major staple in the history of Barrow.

As a result of the establishment of the Pacific Steam Whaling Station Native economy developed.  Not only did it provide more employment opportunities but Natives for the first time began trading whales for pay instead of using them for personal use. 

Because Barrow has no paved roads due to the permafrost freight arrives by air cargo year.  Planes bring in travelers, groceries, appliances, really any goods the residents of Barrow need. 

Because of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Barrow is a part of the North Slope Regional Corporation.  The tax revenues from the Prudhoe Bay oil fields and the Trans Alaska Pipeline help to fund much of Barrow’s services.

 

Week Nine Module

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 1971 - Discuss two ways that this legislation has impacted Alaska, and two specific ways that it has impacted Alaska Natives.

Native leaders were happy that Alaska Natives would have official title to the land that they had always thought of as theirs.  State leaders were able to head towards economic development and the state land selection process.  Even non-Alaskans were please that the Alaska Native people were awarded some justice that they deserved.

In 1959 when Alaska became a state most of the land was claimed by the federal government.  There were many legal documents that talked about the rights that the Alaska Natives had to the land.  The main idea throughout these documents was that Alaska Natives own their own land, but that it is up to future generations to decide how they would get title to it.  In addition to this question the population of non-Native people was increasing in Alaska, oil was discovered on the North Slope, and there were increased as well as the increased demands for oil in the lower 48
Then, because of a growing non-Native population in Alaska, the discovery of a vast oil field on the North Slope, and increasing demands for that oil in the lower 48, the question of "who owns Alaska" became a national issue in 1971.

Alaska Natives gained title to 43.7 million acres of land in Alaska. In the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971.  The 75,000 Natives in Alaska were able to enroll in one of 12 regional corporations.  An additional corporation was added to make thirteen so that Natives not living in Alaska could enroll.  These 13 regional corporations consumed more than ½ of the acreage. Villagers could choose to form as many corporations that they wanted to.  They had access to less than ½ of the land. 

AK Native Regional Corporations - in color
www.dec.alaska.gov

The U.S. government paid $962.5 million to compensate the Natives so they would not claim any tittle to remaining land in the state.  In the beginning an eligible Native could enroll to receive shares.  They were allowed 100 shares in a village corporation and allowed 100 shares in a regional corporation.  The village and regional corporations were usually chosen based on where they were living.  Later with the 13th corporation was added Natives that did not live in Alaska could enroll.  They were not eligible for land but could receive the money settlement.  These shares are not for sale.  

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971 impacted Alaska in many different ways.  The act strengthened the economy.  With the discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay money was not only coming in because of the oil itself but also because of the number of people that were now employed working in various positions surrounding oil.  Some of the Native corporations have become very successful businesses. In 2004 Native corporation assets totaled $2.9 billion.  Their combined total payroll was $408 million from the employment of 12,123 people. In 2002 the corporations distributed $45.6 million in dividends to shareholders.  The profits for that year were $124 million.  Different corporations continue to find financial success while others don’t.
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 1971

The act brought many changes to Alaska as a state and to Alaska Natives.  It is very complex.  Having a plan for Natives to continue to own their land is very important even if their corporations are not finding the economic success as others.  One thing that I have discovered is the land that Natives call their home isn’t just home because of the financial value.  It is home because it is a way of life, it is what they know.   The resources that Natives use the land for go so much farther than the bank.

Identify the Alaska Native regional corporation in the area of Alaska where you live. Examine its website and describe its mission and its current business ventures.

The regional corporation that I live in is the Cook Inlet Corporation (CIRI).  The many business operations in this corporation are: energy and resource development, heavy construction services, environmental remediation services, real estate, tourism, telecommunications, minority business enterprise and government contracting, and private equity and venture capital investments.

There is a bunch going on with energy and resource development.  One project that began in October 2011 focused on wind energy.  Alaska’s largest wind energy project started and continues three miles outside of Anchorage on Fire Island.  Fire Island Wind LLC, installed 11 turbines that can produce up to 17.6 megawatts of power and supply more than 51,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually to meet the needs of more than 6,000 Southcentral Alaska households. The photo to the left shows ore sample drilling on Fire Island to analyze foundations for wind turbines.

Construction is another big business venture for CIRI.  CIRI and Nabors Industries Inc. each own 50% of Alaska Interstate Construction LLC.  One of numerous projects that they completed in 2010 was road construction and rehabilitation of a new 903-foot-long bridge across the Tanana River on the Alaska Highway.

Many of us in this region have enjoyed eating at the Olive Garden, which opened January 23^rd of this year in Tikahtnu Commons right outside of Anchorage.  This is one example of real estate business ventures in the area.  CIRI has significant commercial and residential real estate development, in not only Alaska but Arizona, Texas, California and Hawaii.

Photo of Olive Garden in Tikahtnu Commons 

CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. (CATC) is the largest shore-based tour operator in Southcentral Alaska.  They offer many trips.  For example the Alaska Heritage Tours, marine day-cruise company Kenai Fjords Tours, visits to the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, visits to the Seward Windsong Lodge near Kenai Fjords National Park, and visits to the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island in Resurrection Bay.  Doing this research I have found a few places I would like to visit this summer!!

This company is owned by more than 7,300 Alaska Native shareholders of Athabascan and Southeast Indian, Inupiat, Yupik, Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) and Aleut (Unangax) descent. It is based in Anchorage and has interests across Alaska, the lower 49 and abroad.

Evaluation:

This has for sure has been the module with the most information, we were warned.   I found myself doing extra exploring and asking for more clarification to make sure I was taking away the correct information.  Thanks Brenda for all your help!  I spend a lot of time researching the Native Corporations.  When looking at the Cook Inlet corporation it was interesting to know how everything is linked together.  

Response to Colleagues:

Peter's Alaska Blog: I have lived in Wasilla for the past two years.  I really enjoy learning more about where I live!!  It was interesting to learn more about the political components of the area.

Educational Exploration in AK: I agree with you that there was so much information in this module with many different choices.  You did a nice job with the layout of your blog and your responses!

Heather's Alaskan Exploration: I really liked your idea to incorporate some of the current issues into your classroom.  I enjoy new lesson ideas and projects.  Thanks!

 

Week Eight Module

Explain how Alaska's location was considered "strategic" during World War II.  What were the war activities/events that supported the perspective of "strategic" Alaska?

Oil is an important natural resource to Alaska.  Many people and things rely on oil to survive.  In the 1900’s oil became very important to the Navy because Navy Ships could be fueled by oil. In 1913 the General Board of the Navy wanted a line drawn for Hawaii to Guam to Manila and defense facilities established.  Having access to this precious resource is one example of how Alaska was strategic during World War II.  As the need for airplanes and submarines emerged so did the need for more oil.

The Great Circle Route

Next Alaska’s location was strategic during World War II because of its physical location.  Many military bases were created to allow Alaska to defend and be offensive during the war.  In 1934 Anthony J. Dimond brought a bill to the table for 10 million dollars. This bill was rejected at first but once the base was constructed years later thousands of planes flew in and out of Fairbanks.  The rationale behind building this base in Fairbanks was because it was the shortest path between the US and the Far East.  This route would be known as The Great Circle Route.  The Great Circle Route was 276 miles south of the Aleutian Islands and 2,000 miles north of the Hawaiian Islands.  A trip from San Francisco to Hawaii and to Japan would be over 6,000 miles.  Using the Great Circle Route that was parallel to the arc of the Aleutian Islands traveling from San Francisco to Japan would be 5,000 miles.  The United States also built an air base on Adak in September 1942 so that access to Kiska and Attu would be closer.

Picture of aircraft during WWII Mt. McKinley is the backdrop.

Once aviation was well established Alaska’s location became even more important throughout the war.  Being able to fly across the ocean made transporting troops and supplies much easier.  Surprise attacks could now be launched as well.  Because of Alaska’s location it had become the shortest possible route from the United States to Asia.     

Due to Alaska’s large western coast naval bases were constructed at Sitka, Dutch Harbor, and Kodiak.  This allowed Alaska to join the defense triangle with Panama and Hawaii.  This idea was brought to the table in the 1920’s.  By the late 1930’s these bases were being built.  They were ready to go before the Japanese attacked Pear Harbor a few years later.

There were many important strategic locations during WWII.  Dutch Harbor was the first place in Alaska the Japanese attacked on June 3, 1942.  Unmak had the first airfield capable of handling aircrafts with wheels.  It took 3 weeks for Americans to take back Attu after the Japanese attacked on May 11, 1943.  Cold Bay was a base for exchange of ships and supplies with the Soviet Union during their war with the Germans.

Explain the purpose of the Aleut evacuation and give at least two examples of how the evacuation affected the Aleuts of Alaska.

The reason behind the Aleut evacuation was initially to protect the people after the Japanese attacked the Dutch Harbor June 3, 1942.  During June and July 881 children, adults, and elders were evacuated from nine different villages.  Native leaders wanted to evacuate to Kodiak Island (similar in landscape to what the Aleut people were accustomed) but government officials wanted an evacuation closer to the mainland and farther from the war zone.

The Aleuts were allowed basically one suitcase.  They then boarded ships that were very cramped and were transported to SE Alaska.  Their homes were burned to the ground or destroyed in some fashion by U.S. troops so that the Japanese would not be able to utilize them in any way.  Once they reached their destination they had to stay in abandoned canneries or old gold mining camps.  These places were known as duration villages.  Many didn’t have plumbing or electricity.  They were very crowded. In some places people had to take turns sleeping because of the lack of beds/space.

As a result of the poor living conditions and heartache many Aleuts did not make it the two years.  Their living conditions resembled prisons.  Disease was the result of 10% of deaths.  Pneumonia and tuberculosis took many lives, in particular the very young and old.  There was an extreme lack of medical care.  At Funter Bay camp 32 died, at Killisnoo 17 died, at Ward Lake 20 died, at Burnett Inlet 5 passed away.  Not only did they lose the lives of many but as the elders passed away so did the traditions and knowledge of the Aleuts.    

 

Example of empty living space. 

Even though times were hard the Aleuts found ways to rise above their sorrow.  Some tried to find jobs.  They built and renovated their lives quarters.The Aleuts worked to keep their faith alive and constructed a church much like the one they left behind, Church of the Holy Ascension of Christ.

Evacuation Information  

The Aleuts were strong patriotic people and even though the U.S. government had treated them unkindly they still wanted to support them.  25 men joined the Armed Forces.  The three men that were a part of the U.S. invasion of Attu Island were awarded the Bronze Star.  They became more involved in democracy and voted in Territorial elections.  The Aleuts didn’t want other generations to endure the hardships they faced.

Congress passed the legislation in 1980 to establish the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment.  The legislation was to investigate the imprisonment of Japanese Americans and Aleuts.  The result was a Presidential apology and survivors were given financial restitution for their hardships.   

Results

How might you use content from this module in your professional practice?

I would use the content regarding the Aleut evacuation.  The Civil War is studied and there are other history topics that are studied that could correlate with the evacuation.  I did some research on Wyoming and WWII and we had Japanese POW camps that I wasn’t aware of.  Having students research the history of where they live is very important.

You could even tie the information into how people treat one another today.  Bullying is a huge issue in schools.  Students don’t seem to care about what has happened in the past.  They are so consumed with what is happening now.  Being able to link both types of information together would be very useful for students.  It would be interesting to see what type of discussion would develop. 

The Alaska Highway is another topic I would like to talk about with my students.  I know I find myself taking highways for granted.  Instead of thinking about how they were made or how they exist, I am caught thinking about how much longer it is before I reach my destination.  I felt this way when I was driving from Wyoming to Alaska three summers ago.  Reading about the development of the Alaska Highway was interesting.

 

Alaska Highway Near Tok, AK www.explorealaska.com

Evaluation of Module:

I ended up doing some side research throughout this module to understand what exactly what groups I was researching and to make sure my facts were straight.  There was indeed a great deal of information to work through but I was able to take away helpful information.  World War II made a large impression on Alaska and I now am able to see and identify specific examples.

Response to Colleagues:

Gary's Alaska Blog: I found it interesting too how Alaska was such a large factor in World War II.  General Mitchell was right when he stated, "I believe that in the future, whoever holds Alaska will hold the world.”

Northward Bound: Wonderful illustrations.  Your links were really easy to use.  I hadn’t thought of incorporating additional media like Utube.  Brad you did a really nice job on your blog, very descriptive.  

The Alaskan Adventure:  You had some amazing photos and videos.  It was neat to read your blog with your background of being a member of the National Guard!!

Week Seven Module

How have the settlement patterns of Alaska been a reflection of the natural landscape, distance, resources, and the economy?

As many different types of transportation and resources were discovered and available the population patterns followed in the same direction.  New settlements were established.   For example we have Nome thanks to gold and we have Ketchikan because of fishing.

Before the Klondike gold rush mining camps were found throughout Alaska.  This is how Juneau, Douglas, Hope, Circle City, and Council all became settlements. Once people discovered minerals that could be developed and build economy people moved near railroads and roads.  The government was asked to build roads, trails, and railroads in the hopes that being better connected to others would lower freight and transportation costs.


Mining camp during the Klondike Gold Rush

Between 1890 and 1900 the population of Alaska skyrocketed to about 63,000 people.  Gold was the reason.  With gold bringing people north supply camps were established.  Skagway and Valdez are examples of supply camps.  Gold camps developed too Nome and Fairbanks are evidence of this.

Fishing brought people to settle in Ketchikan.  Canning brought others to Karluk and Homer.  Whaling drew people to settle in Barrow and Wainwright.  During the 1900s many people lived near the ocean or along major rivers not only for fishing but because ships and boats could provide supplies and transportation.   

Oil was brought to the picture in the late 1950s when it was discovered on the northern Kenai Peninsula and in Cook Inlet.  When the oil field in Prudhoe Bay was discovered in 1967 the population in Alaska increased even more.  Alaska’s population doubled during the 1970s.  People started coming up to work in the oil fields and provide services to workers as well as build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.  Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Valdez couldn’t support all the people arriving.  As a result Eagle River and the Matsu Valley grew outside of Anchorage.  North Pole and Ester grew outside of Fairbanks.


The Trans-Alaska Pipeline

How have the health care issues impacted Alaska’s Native population?

Early explorers and traders brought diseases here like small pox, measles, and different types of influenza.  Some villages suffered devastating loses.  Throughout the years many attempts were made to establish health care to Alaskan Natives.

The pioneer doctors at times struggled to treat the Natives.  The Natives would listen to the shaman of the village.  The shaman was someone in the village that was respected very much.  Natives believed that illness was a result of anger from the super natural world.  Effective health care still wasn’t seen. The shaman still had the upper hand.


A shaman.

In the early 1900s the Bureau of Education began working towards improving health care in isolated villages.  A supply ship would hold clinics during the summer months when they would anchor.  In the winter months doctors and nurses would travel by dog sleds.  Still adequate medical treatment was struggling to emerge.  In 1930 NW Alaska had one doctor and two nurses at Barrow a nurse in Whales, and a doctor in Nome.

Influenza killed entire villages in 1900.  It was known as “The Great Sickness”.  This epidemic affected the Aleutian Islands and SW Alaska.  NW Alaska was affected by influenza in 1918 as well.  Territory-measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, mumps, and polio also hit many populations.

Tuberculosis affected Alaskan’s more than it did populations in the rest of the United States.  Before effective drugs emerged infected people were separated into hospitals or sanatoriums.  The lack of hospital beds made effective treatment difficult.

In 1946 the territorial government made great efforts to fight tuberculosis.  Programs to train village members to distribute chemotherapy (treated tuberculosis) began.  Mobile health units could be found on highways and the Alaskan Railroad.  Two ships visited the Aleutian Island communities providing vaccinations.  In 1950 tuberculosis was no longer a threat to Alaskan Natives.


A hospital in Barrow in 1930.

Multiple hospitals began to appear after health services were switched for Alaska Natives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Alaska Native Service to the U.S. Public Health Service in 1955. Traveling nurses went to villages to give immunizations and educate residents about healthy living. New hospitals were built in Kotzebue in 1961 and Barrow in 1965.  Older hospitals were renovated.  Even though medical treatment still remains expensive, in addition to steep fueling costs, and weather can be an issue treatment for Alaskan Natives has improved greatly.     

What are the health care services available in your community?

There are numerous health care services available in the Mat-Su Valley.  There are many resources supporting adolescents with mental illness.  Alaska Family Services, Inc. offers counseling for youth substance abuse as well as counseling.  Dorothy Saxton Youth Shelter offers a facility that provides behavioral rehabilitation services and temporary residential care for children ages 12-18 that are in immediate danger in their current environment, who may need short term care, or may need stabilization and assessment of their needs.  Female students who may need a level of care at a more restrictive environment can attend ROSA House.  This is a residential treatment program which provides 24 hour behavioral rehabilitation services and treatment for adolescent females between the ages of 12 to 18 who experience emotional and behavioral disorders.  North Star Behavioral Health and Palmer Residential Treatment Center are also services to support adolescents. 

There are also many supports offered to families and adults.  Counseling services are offered through different psychiatrists/therapists.  Alaska Family Services offers women, children, and their families support through intervention/collaboration.  In addition they educate adults and youth on drug and alcohol treatment programs.  The Alano Club gives information about Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.  They also provide meetings and sober social events.  The Veteran’s Center offers counseling for Combat veterans.


Mat-Su Regional Medical Facility

In addition to mental health care services the Mat-Su Valley also has many medical facilities.  Alaska Home Care will provide in home Personal Care Assistance and respite care for the elderly, disabled, and those with special needs.  Another resource is the Mat-Su Health Services: Primary Care Clinic they offer acute and urgent care, postpartum and baby care, prevention for teen pregnancy, vision and hearing screening, minor dental procedures, and limited laboratory procedures.  The Mat-Su Public Health Center offers free appointment to families that qualify.  Mat-Su Regional Hospital and Mat-Su Regional Urgent Care are also available in the area.

Evaluation:

This module had a lot of information.  I was really interested in the development of health care throughout the years in Alaska.  It makes you appreciate the many resources that we have today.  Even villages like Kotzebue today don’t have the resources that Anchorage has.  People really have to work together to establish a successful region.

Response to Colleagues: 

Awareness Through Adventure I agree that aircraft has made a major impact on the settlement patterns of Alaska.  Villages do count on this resource as a means of survival.

Investigate Alaska I too agree that boom and bust cycles of natural resources contributed greatly to the increase and decrease of population in Alaska.   Oil continues to be a huge up and down contributor to the economy.

Latitude 61 I thought it was really interesting that the Sisters of Providence sold "tickets" to miners in Nome at the turn of the 20th century that they would cash in if they became sick.  You can tell you spent a lot of time on your blog.  Great job!

Week Six Module

What have been the impacts on traditional Native cultures and on the environment?

During the gold rush steamboats were used in great number.  During this time Natives were impacted positively because, these boats burned a lot of wood and as a result wood camps were developed.  These camps gave Natives jobs.  Natives were also hired during this time period as guides to help the steamboats maneuver through the many channels and bends.  Another job Natives had during this time were firemen and deck hands. 

http://www.akhistorycourse.org/

 Miners climbing through Chilkoot Pass http://www.forums.com/

Looking into rail and road transportation the Natives allowed prospectors to use their land.  In the late 1870s Chilkat Tlingits allowed prospectors to use their trading trail from Lynn Canal across mountain passes to the Yukon’s headwaters (Chilkoot Pass).  In 1880 prospectors still used this trail.  As the years went by this passage was used more and more in creating roads and railroads.

www.akhistorycourse.org

Mail delivery didn’t exist in interior Alaska until the US government gave the son of the chief of the Taku Tlinglits a very important job.  Jimmie Jackson was given $700 plus $1 per letter to carry the mail from Juneau to the gold fields throughout the winter.  With two other Tlingit friends they took a canoe up the Skinkine River.  With the combination of the canoe and dog sled the group was able to make the 1,000 mile trip to Circle City to deliver the mail.  This trip continued for years with carriers being paid $600 per run. 

http://www.akhistorycourse.org/

 Barg in Alaksa http://www.alaskastock.com/

Not all developments have been positive for Native cultures.  Air and barg transportation costs are increasing.  As a result home heating fuel and grocery prices are going up.  As prices for petroleum-based fuels skyrocket smaller villages will have to either return to a more basic way of survival or simply disappear as their populations migrate to less expensive areas.

What were the factors that prompted the growth of aviation in Alaska?

After WWI aviation in Alaska really began to develop.  In 1920 the Black Wolf squadron which consisted army bombers using wheeled biplanes landed in Alaska from New York.  They landed in Wrangell, Fairbanks, Ruby, and Nome.  For Alaska this showed that airplanes could carry heavy loads across the state.

www.akhistorycourse.org

Alaskan pilot Noel Wien founded Alaska’s first scheduled airline in Fairbanks in July 1924.  During this time he made 5 incredible “first flights”.  He flew from Fairbanks to Nome, he also flew across the Arctic Circle, then flew from Alaska to Siberia, and finally flew an injured person to a hospital.  In 1924 two other trips prompted more thoughts about aviation in Alaska.  Carl Ben Eielson discovered that his several hour airmail flight from Fairbanks to McGrath could replace a three week dog team delivery route.  Next four army air crafts flew around the world.  These planes were able to touch down on land and water.  This 175 day trip began and ended in Seattle.

www.akhistorycourse.org

As Alaska began to see that it was possible to shuttle people, cargo, and mail to different areas of the state interest began to sprout in the direction of a school for aviation.  The first school opened in Fairbanks in 1928.  In 1929 Southeast Alaska aviators completed the first non-stop flight from Seattle to Juneau.  The first air mail flight from Alaska to Seattle was also completed, this same year the first passengers flew across the Gulf of Alaska.

www.akhistorycourse.org

Extend-How has air transportation affected the way of life in your community?

Until I moved to Alaska I didn’t realize how important air transportation was.  I would only look at planes as a means of transporting family and friends to and from places.  I also understood the importance of air transportation in regards to medical emergencies.

 Piper Super Cub over Cook Inlet http://www.tobinphoto.com/

Air transportation is still very important in this community to help people travel from place to place.  As far as medical emergencies go air transportation is vital.  Living in Wasilla many people still use physicians in Anchorage.  Anchorage also has different types of facilities that Wasilla doesn’t for emergency situations.

Air transportation as a recreational hobby is very common.  The neighborhood that I live in has an airstrip nearby, regardless of the time of the year you can see and hear planes all around you.  This was a new and exciting experience to be a part of when I first moved here.  When I take my dogs for a walk and we get to the landing strip (which intersects part of the road) we have to stop and look both ways to see if a plane is either landing or taking off.

Evaluation

This module did a good job of explaining how all the different types of transportation help Alaska communicate within the state as well as communicate to regions outside of the state.  Without the use of ships, boats, highways, railroads, and airplanes all working together Alaska wouldn’t be a success today.  I want to learn more about air travel.  It would be interesting to see what you need to do to get your pilots license.  Maybe one day I will be able to fly my own plane!!

3 Responses:

Alaska History- A Newcomers Perspective

I really enjoyed your comment on Carl Ben Eilsen.  He paved the way for aviation in Alaska.  This state has benefited greatly from his exploration.

Investigate Alaska

It is so interesting to know that 280 villages throughout the state are only accessible by plane or water.  It really makes me think how lucky I am to be able to go to the store and get the resources I need on a daily basis. 

Heather's Alaskan Exploration

The railroad has bridged a gap for Alaska, I really enjoyed reading this part of your blog.  This transportation link has been developed since 1902! Wow!!

 

Week Five Module

How is the Alaska economy a reflection of diverse, and sometimes conflicting, perspectives of the natural landscape?

In the 1898 the first oil well was drilled in Alaska.  Serious drilling didn’t occur until years later.  In 1957 the population of Kenai, the largest village near the drilling development, had a population of 500 people.  In the late 1970s shopping malls were brought to the area.  Many people in the area continue to work for oil companies.  Now the population of all the Kenai is about 7,000.  The Kenai Peninsula Borough, which includes Seward, Homer, and Tyonek is nearly 50,000.  Today in the opposite direction, the North Slope also has some of the largest deposits of natural gas in North America.  Oil has brought the state of Alaska a strong income and continues to strengthen the economy. 

www.alaskahistorycourse.org

Drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has been an ongoing political controversy in the United States since 1977.  It is the largest protected wilderness area in the US and was created by Congress under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980.  In module 3 we learned about the Porcupine Caribou Herd.  An agreement was made on July 17, 1987 between the United States and the Canadian government to protect the species from damage to its habitat and to their migration route. 

As Alaska began to grow different styles and types of fishing came and went.  By the late 1800s commercial whaling died out as a result of over hunting, whalers were now in search of walrus. Commercial fishing also had begun to sprout.  Commercial fisherman emerged in search of salmon, cod, crab, herring, halibut, and shrimp.  Much of the changes that occurred in the late 1800's-1930's developed Alaska's natural landscape today.  To better manage the use of these resources the game and fish manages four user groups which include commercial, sport, guided, and subsistence fishing and hunting.

walkingcatfish.blogspot.com

What is the current status of farming, herding, logging, and tourism in Alaska?

Most farming is done in the Matanuska Valley or on the Kenai Peninsula.  There is only a 100 day growing season.  The long summer days with lots of sunshine help make the growing season more productive though.  The primary crops are potatoes, carrots, lettuce, and cabbage.  The area around Delta Junction produces barley and hay.  The Alaska State Fair is a great place to view the produce grown in the area.  "Alaska Grown" is the famous slogan you will see.

Herding is seen mostly on the Seward Peninsula.  Wild caribou are herded to prevent them from mingling and migrating with domesticated reindeer.  From June through September when there is no snow reindeer are allowed to roam freely on allotted ranges.  The herder knows the general area the reindeer are in from pilot reports or other travels.  They may travel by boat, plane or ATV to check the herd.  Reindeer are brought into corrals two times a year during June-July.  During this time calves are marked, they are given vaccinations and velvet antler is harvested.  In mid-winter they are checked by a vet agin.  Most slaughtering is done during the snow season or when there is an economic need.

www.gi.alaska.edu

According to the Alaska Forrest Association the future of timber industry is uncertain.  Most of the industry comes out of Southeast Alaska.  For years Congress has been passing different laws and putting stricter stipulations on timber harvesting.  Due to these changes in management of the national forest the federal timber sale program has shrunk by 90%.  Efforts are underway to establish local sawmill operations in SE AK.   Hopefully through collaborative projects between the U.S. Forest Service, conservation organizations, local city and tribal governments, and business owners this will happen.

www.akforest.org

During the 1880s many people started writing books and conducting lectures about their travels to Alaska as a result more travelers started venturing north.  In 1884 cruise ships were seen off of the coasts of Alaska.  Hunting, fishing and mountain climbing began to attract more people to The Great State.  Today many people pay thousands of dollars to come and hunt.  Guides will lead many Dall Sheep, moose, Musk Ox, and bear hunts throughout the seasons.  Halibut charters out of Homer bring many visitors as well.  Another attraction that I have yet to experience but can’t wait is Mount McKinley National Park!!  Tourism is a large staple to AK economy.

http://www.alaskahistorycourse.org/

Extend-Describe the economic base for your area of Alaska and share any current issues confronting the local residents.

I live in the Wasilla/Palmer area which is also known as the Matanuska Valley.  The area has rich soil and long daylight hours in the summer.  As a result agriculture has become an important part of the economy in the area.  In the summer months throughout the fall months you can find stands set up in numerous places throughout the area selling fresh vegetables.   Farming dates back to the Colony Days of Alaska history.  Dairy farms were in abundance as well as farm fields.  Now these fields/farms are diminishing as subdivisions are developing.  The suburban life is spreading out.  Farmers are reluctant to sell the precious land that they have owned for years but with a struggling economy they have no choice.

www.Ktuu.com

Evaluation:

Alaska is such a vast region it was interesting to find out all the different components that make it “tick”.  One thing that I continue to enjoy learning about is all the ways that Alaskans have used the land and animals around them to survive.  It didn’t realize that caribou were herded.  Back home I have been a part of cattle drives!!  Interesting information was given throughout this module.

Three Blog Reviews

Gary's Alaska Blog

Gary’s diagrams were very helpful throughout his blog.  His explanation of the 3 components Alaska’s economy was very clear and easy to follow.    

Investigate Alaska

I found it interesting while looking at module 5 the amount of farming that Alaska does produce because the long daylight hours in the summer.  Next year at the state fair I will have to keep my eyes open for the enormous carrots and cabbage!!  

The Alaskan Adventure

I really liked how Lane described the economy with “boom and bust”.  He explained this well with examples of whaling, the gold rush, and oil spills.

Week 4 Colleague Responses

Explore Alaska Class:  I found the explorations of Bering and Chirklov were very interesting to me.  I couldn’t imagine what it was like to see what they saw.  Also it is neat to know that so many villages are named from Russian Colonization. 

Gary’s Alaska Blog:  I learned that the Tlingit weapons were more advanced at first than the Russians.  This surprised me because I would have thought that the Russian would have more fire power.  The cannons were the turning point for the Russians.  I also found it very interesting how much the Russian did come to rely on the Alaska Natives to survive.

Brenda’s Alaskan Blog: Throughout her blog she did a very nice job of explaining how the relationships between the Russians and Alaska Natives developed.  From the Natives technically being their slaves to the Russians dependency on them for their survival.

Week Four Module

What is the legacy of the Russian colonization of Alaska?

When the first Russian-Orthodox priest arrived in the 1790s Alaska began to change.  An economy began to develop through trading.  One item that was in high demand for trading was the sea otter’s fur because of the higher quality.  The Russian colony traded with China, Hawaii, the Spanish that were from California, and British, and American merchants.  It became an important factor in international trade.  

A very obvious legacy that Russian colonization left was the development of libraries, schools, and medical clinics.  Even though there are vast differences to how these organizations look they are seen throughout all parts of Alaska today.  It would be very difficult for Alaska (as well as other places) to function without them. 

Language was another legacy that was left.  As the trade networks expanded so did the amount of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska.  Employees from the church would marry Native women, these unions increased the number of Creoles.  Three different languages were found in some areas, the native language, Russian, and the church dialect Slavonic.  Once contact was made by Americans English emerged.

Why were the Russians interested in Alaska?

The desire to expand commerce and control trade routes was the base of why Russians began to explore Alaska.  Exploration brought Russians and other groups of people to Alaska as well.  It was a large piece of land that had not been discovered or developed.  In 1741 Vitus Bering and Aleksi Chirikov were two of the first Russians to arrive and begin investigating Alaska.

Aleksi Chirikov landed in south east Alaska in June of 1741.  He never settled here but he worked to explore the area.  Chirikov sent a group of 11 men to get fresh water and explore.  These men never returned.  A second group of men 6 days later went to see what happened to the previous group of men and they never returned.  Natives were seen the next day coming out of the entrance that the two boats disappeared into.  They yelled at Chirikov but turned and returned back to where they came.  The Russian sailors were never found.   

During that same time Vitus Bering sailed farther north to an island need Cape St. Elias.  On this voyage the naturalist on board was George Stellar.  Stellar spent hours on the island.  He never did see any Natives but recorded the plants, crustaceans, and see shells that he saw.  Stellar discovered that Natives used this area for fishing and hunting sea mammals but lived somewhere else. 

As more people came and explored Alaska new discoveries were found that attracted more people to this region.  Trading posts developed as did more travel throughout parts of the state that no one had seen before.

Evaluation:

This module really gave a nice base understanding of how Alaska began.  There is so much information.  Knowing the size of the state you wouldn’t imagine anything less.  Early explorers were so brave to venture so far from home.  The Russian Orthodox Church had a very large part in the development of Alaska today. 

In the meantime, Bering anchored off an island farther north, near Cape St. Elias. Georg Steller, the expedition's naturalist, spent a number of hours on the island and recorded observations of plants, crustaceans and sea shells, and detailed evidence of Native people and how they lived, even though he did not actually see any Native people. Natives apparently used the island for fishing and hunting sea mammals, but lived elsewhere.

Sea Otter, a Sketch from Captain Cook's Journals
VILDA  ASL-P20-057

Father Mefodii, Catechizer Simeon Kakviam and Wife
ca. late 1800's  VILDA  ASL-P243-1-081

Week Three Colleague Responses

Alaskan History- A Newcomers Perspective:  Claire made some really great points throughout her blog.  I didn’t realize how disrespectful can be regarding the environment up here.  I have noticed the lack of recycling.  I agree that people should look at the world through a cultures perspective to understand the culture more.  Father Oleska’s definition was really interesting.  I did a lot of searching for definitions that I really agreed with.

Gary’s Alaska Blog: The illustration that shows the observable and non-observable parts of culture is an interesting way to break down culture.  There is so much that can be said to define culture.  I want to use this in my classroom as a discussion piece.  Thanks Gary!  I have really enjoyed seeing the Native Youth Olympics since I have been up here.  It would be neat to see these games take place with different Native groups in the lower 48.

Investigate Alaska: I liked how Betty pointed out that Native values have developed through subsistence, and that their culture has been shaped by means of survival.  I spent some time in Kotzebue.  Being up there I was able to see how much people rely on the land around them for survival.  It is fascinating learning the many ways Natives utilize what surrounds them. 

Week Three Module

What is culture?  How can it be defined?

No one should assume an understanding of any culture without years of contact, observation, and learning.  I really liked this statement from part C of Module III.  It is easy to make assumptions about cultures.  When I went to college and people would ask me where I am from, as soon as I would say WY, I would get asked if I rode horses to school.  I did not ride a horse to school.  I have also experienced assumptions of how people view Alaska.  Friends in the lower 48 are always asking me how I deal with it being pitch black and below freezing outside all the time!!  It is not always dark and “below freezing” cold.

Culture is also defined by values a group of people have.  Alaska Natives respect the land and utilize the nature around them as way of life.  For example the Gwich'in Tribe wanted to protect the Porcupine caribou herd from proposed oil drillers in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  The caribou calving ground is a sacred place to the Gwich’in tribe.  The tribe didn’t know who to contact first to voice their concerns.  They did the needed research and found the resources and contacts to help protect this sacred place because it was important to them. 

"Gwich'in Tribe Protects Caribou and Culture." Teachers' Domain. 13 Jan. 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ean08.sci.life.eco.gwichin/>

In the beginning of Part A of Module III, I read what I think is a wonderful definition of culture.  Culture can be defined in the simplest and broadest of terms, as all the life-ways a group of people identify themselves.  An example of the simplest terms of culture would be how the Inupiaq tribe still hunts whales a certain way.  To the broadest of terms which would be looking at all the specific native values that all have respect in their definitions. 

I didn’t realize how large of a scope it was to define culture and list specific details defending my definition until I started this essential question.  I can say I was caught up in the stereotypes and the easy definitions of culture.  I am interested to look further into how I define my own cultural identity now.

How do you explain your own cultural identity?

The first thing that comes to my mind when I look at the definition of my own cultural identity is The Irish Blessing.  Which is, May the road rise up to meet you.  May the wind always be at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.  Each time I would open a new chapter in my life my mom would always make sure I had a copy of this blessing.  Heritage is part of my definition.

I grew up in a very small town in Wyoming.  I didn’t grow up with shopping malls and freeways.  When Wal-Mart came to my town my friends and I would go walk around the store when we were bored.  It was also cool to drive down Main Street and see how else was driving the same road!!  I love a simple life.  Knowing what makes me happy is a big part of describing who I am.

downtownsheridan.org

Another part of cultural identity is how others view you.  I have always been a giver.  I thrive on making other people happy.  In college when I was deciding on my major I knew I wanted to help others.  I think that the majority of society views teachers as givers.  Being able to work with students with emotional/behavioral needs is very rewarding and allows me to give. 

Evaluation

I took a lot of good information away from this module.  Really dissecting culture and what defines it is a big job and overwhelming.  When I was reflecting on my answers to the questions that I choose to I could have gone on for much more than I did, I wanted to take different avenues and it was challenging to pick one path.  I am interested to read others definitions of culture.