“What’s his name? You know who I mean — always around, but we tend to forget him...”
“Seems nice, I just don’t know that much about him.”
“He’s one of us, right? Not quite in with the rest of us — kind of far off?”
Okay. So if states were people, that’s how the lower 48 would probably refer to the 49th state to join the Union. Alas, Alaska, there’s so much we don’t know about you — and you have great stories to tell...
PBS KIDS’ Cartoons
Molly of Denali is a fictional story set in a small village in central Alaska. We often view Molly through a phone screen interface as if we have subscribed to her vlog. The storytelling nature of the vlog lends itself to telling us all about Alaska. Are you familiar with the saying that Eskimos have many names for snow? In one story, Molly’s Grampa Nat walks her through a snowy Alaskan setting explaining the different kinds of snow. He identifies each with its Athabaskan language name. He explains what is unique about each type of snow and advises how best to safely navigate their frozen environment.
The community lives off the land for much of their sustenance. One story demonstrates the fishing wheel they rely on to catch enough salmon for everyone. Maintaining the wheel and processing the fish is a community effort. The live-action segment for that story features a wheel in action. Children help clean and smoke the salmon. Another episode shows the children making items from the dried fish skins. A girl explains that it is one of their core values to use all parts of the animal.
When the tallest tree in the area is blown down during a storm, the entire community comes together to cope with its loss. Molly and her friend, Tooey, interview members of the community in order to collect stories about the tree. An exhibit is created in the local library as a tribute and includes a section of the trunk. The people celebrate the life of “Big Sulkie” and acknowledge all it gave them, treating the tree as a member of their community.
Indigenous people’s rich tradition of storytelling results in many different kinds of stories about Alaska. Sometimes these stories touch on sensitive topics, including past treatment of indigenous peoples now recognized as insensitive or even abusive. Yet these subjects are handled in a way that is appropriate for children. It reminds me of Fred Rogers’ finesse in this area, helping children deal with confusing events.
The cast is the best part of the show — it is diversity incarnate. In story after story, these characters demonstrate that, regardless of our differences, we can all get along. Native Alaskan advisors — including Elders — assist with the storytelling, making sure the cultural and language aspects are authentic. Native vocabulary is included. “Mahsi’ Choo” means “thank you.”
A way of life
Did you know Alaskans have their own Olympics? The Native Youth Olympics features games that require skills useful to indigenous people in coping with their environment. These games — some of the most strenuous I’ve ever seen — build bodies and character. Sportsmanship is valued over competition. In Alaskan culture, people rely on one another to survive. Building strong relationships carries the day. Check out this video of youth discussing and demonstrating these games.
Common themes run throughout the stories: the importance of family and community, cooperation, resilience, determination, resourcefulness, and curiosity. Children are encouraged to express themselves, to be true to their nature, and to find the things in life they are passionate about. Molly of Denali is undeniably optimistic. It is a meaningful resource for gaining insight into native cultures and their values.
Size matters
Alaska is ginormous. You wouldn’t know that from the way it’s shrinky-dinked down on U. S. maps. Alaska has more land area than Texas, California and Montana combined. Yet it’s usually represented floating to the left of the U.S. about half the size of Texas. I’m so used to seeing Alaska under-represented, I wanted to find a way to visually experience how big it really is. I chose the ‘satellite map’ setting on the Weather Radar app on my iPhone and scrolled in and out, comparing land masses. It is mind-blowing. Even more amazing is that over half of the beautiful state of Alaska is federally owned public land: parks, wildlife refuges, and national forests. It’s no surprise that Alaska is home to an estimated 30,000 bald eagles.
Unlike the lower 48, Alaska has no delineated counties. Generally, it can be described as five regions: (1)
Southcentral — Transportation hub; the most accessible and recreational region; more than half of Alaska’s residents live here.
Interior — Sparsely populated, native inhabitants are mostly Athabaskan; Fairbanks, including the University of Alaska, is in the heart of the region; home of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.
Far North — Traditional Eskimo lifestyle; largest communities are Nome, Barrow and Kotzebue.
Southwest -— Accessible only by air and water; includes the Aleutian chain of 300 volcanic islands; home to native people, both Yupik Eskimo and Aleut, who are known for their excellent basketry.
Southeast — Panhandle-shaped land mass running along the coast; where most of the initial settlement occurred after the U.S. purchased Alaska; Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is located here.
The new old kid
Though Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959, the land has been inhabited since 10,000 BCE. Migrant groups of hunters followed prey across a land bridge that then connected Siberia and Alaska. Members of these groups still populate Alaska: the Athabaskans, Aleuts, Inuit, Yupik, Tlingit and Haida. Russian settlers came in the late 1700’s. Russia didn’t find managing this tract of land feasible, though, so they sold it to the U.S. in 1867. The sale was known as “Seward’s Folly” after U.S. Secretary of State William Seward. He was responsible for making the deal, and many viewed the land as worthless. The U.S. managed Alaska as a territory for almost a century before it became a state. (2)
At your ready, Jeopardy fans!
—It is the largest city by area in the United States.
What is Sitka, Alaska?
Right!
—It is the second largest city by area in the United States.
What is Juneau, Alaska?
That’s it! Juneau is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined.
—It is the metropolitan area in which almost half of the population of the state of Alaska resides.
What is Anchorage?
Right again!
—It is illegal to do this to a moose hunter in Alaska.
What is whisper in their ear?
You bet! Alaskans take their moose hunting seriously!
Before you go
The aurora borealis is one of the most sought-after tourist experiences in Alaska. I end this story hoping you have a better feel for our 49th state, its stories, and the beauty of a dark Alaskan night gazing up into the sky. Mahsi’ Choo.
Alaska fly fishing video courtesy of videvo.net
This video uses this sound from freesound: laughatlantic (https://freesound.org/people/laughatlantic/sounds/528067/) licensed under CC 1.0
Northern lights video courtesy of Enzo Biancolli
1. Alaska.gov
2. History.com
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