Honored to be
an Alaskan Native
By TIRZAH BRYANT
Special to the Hawk Highlights
I am honored to be an Alaskan Native. In our village we have cool traditions like trapping, working hard, and
many others that go on all the time. I enjoy being an Alaskan Native.
In my rural village, my mom and I set out trapping in the winter for wild martin, lynx and beaver. Before we go outside we have to
put on all our winter gear like a down coat, snowpants, kakana, fur hat, mittens, and a sweater underneath. After we put on our winter gear,
my mom checks her trapping sled, which has our trapping supplies and things we would need to survive out in the wilderness. On the
trail, it's clear openness and the breathtaking scenery. While we are trapping, I honestly feel proud.
I take pleasure in living my culture and being an Alaskan Native.
We have countless more traditions other than trapping. My favorite is to confidently work hard. On chilly winter days I'm
always delighted to stroll outdoors and go on walks, gather poles for lush, or pack in wood. October is the time for lush fishing,
so my mom and I collect lush poles. In the winter, my family and I take walks on a regular basis. I also pack in wood for my grandma on
chilly winter days. Working hard is definitely a steadfast tradition.
My extreme home in Alaska is jam-packed with traditions, and I just named my favorites. Proudly, I try to live these traditions as
an Alaskan Native.
Gracious living,
freedom, and community
By KIANA KORTA
Special to the Hawk Highlights
Every time someone mentions living in Alaska, it makes me feel proud. In Alaska we have many traditions like hunting or fishing.
The outdoor activities are a big part in our everyday life. Graciously, people will carry loads of food to share with the community
to traditional gatherings called potlatches. Also, I have to remember to respect the land and its recourses. Being an Alaskan makes me proud.
I have many liberties as an Alaskan. Just to walk outside my house and see a big brown moose eating out of my
garden is a delight. Excitedly, I may throw on my skis or snowshoes and go into the vast open wilderness without worrying about
getting lost. The liberties I have as an Alaskan are wonderful.
The potlatches are times where people from all communities can come together. The community's residents gobble
down the delicious moose stew and fish ice cream. It is nice to know that if you don't get a moose one year a good friend
will either donate some moose or help you get food for the winter. Many people in Alaska can be very kind-hearted and helpful.
The freedoms we have in Alaska are great. We are happy to help each other. I would much rather live a
subsistence lifestyle than live in the city. It is a honor to dwell in such beautiful state and to be part
of such a time-honored place. I am proud to be an Alaskan.
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Respecting resources,
living off the land
By JACOB MOOS
Special to the Hawk Highlights
Living in Alaska is about respecting the resources and living off the land. Elders have many great stories about
many of the traditions such as trapping, hunting, and fishing. They also tell us that education should be our number one
priority. The older stories and people seem to be the most important things about Alaska.
When people come to Alaska, I tell them what to expect and how to respect the people and wildlife. Hunting, fishing,
and trapping have been a huge influence on my life to be outside and carry on traditions that have been going on for centuries.
When you go hunting, you don't boast about your kill because it will be bad luck in the future. These skills you need to survive
are very important in Alaska.
Many of the elders teach us important things. Local elder Paddy Nollner told us a story about a man that dropped out
of school because he couldn't read. When this man was young, he visited an old man one day and there was a note. It read, "I am leaving
for town because I'm sick," but the boy didn't know how to read, so he didn't know where to find him. The older man sadly died walking
to town. The lesson was that education is very important and you must carefully watch your teacher's lessons. You have to have the need
to learn and don't just do it because you have to.
The warmth of summer and the coldness of winter reminds me why I'm here - the land. When I quietly walk through
the woods I see the leaves or snow on the trees, and I realize the openness of the land. These are the reasons why I'm proud to be Alaskan.
Love of family,
heritage sustain culture
By JESSLYN WEST
Special to the Hawk Highlights
When I think of my heritage, honor comes to mind. I am proud to be an Athabascan Native. Proudly, my family
still practices our traditions and culture by hunting, fishing, and creating crafts. I love my family and heritage I come from.
Naturally, I still live my culture to survive out in the bush. In the fall full of beautiful colors, I travel with
my family to hunt moose! Another cultural thing we do is fishing in the summer for king salmon. We dry the salmon by hanging
them for a divine flavor. During the freezing winter we use our clever snares to capture rabbits for food and furs. I'm honored
to be a part of my Athabascan culture.
Some of my favorite parts of my lovely culture are beading, sewing, and Native dancing. Carefully, we bead exquisite
necklaces and glove tops or beautiful pictures of flower patterns to sew on our kakana. For our dazzling work we have to draw our
patterns to bead. Sewing is a fun thing to do. We sew grand quilts and beaver hats or gloves. Happily we do these activities together.
Honored, I will try to continue these wonderful cultural activities throughout my lifetime. I've always had great
thoughts of my culture and heritage. My family enjoys our ways carried down from our ancestors. I'm proud of my ancestors
and I'll do my best to keep my culture alive.
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These essays about living in Alaska are from students in Kate Thurmond's class at Sidney C.
Huntington school. We appreciate being able to share the
efforts of these fine young writers.
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