Dad nets Pike-subsistence food-traditon outdoors

Kaylee likes my dad's sweets.

Dad, George Albert, used a fishing net to catch this extra big monster. Believe me, just look at its teeth! Nephew Nummies and neice Kaylee touch it. Observe, Share.
 Good eating on the day after Memorial Day 2015!
 Native Americans and Alaskan Natives serve our country in higher percentages for their population than any other ethnic group in America, year after year. They love the ground of their ancestors. Some of this is economic just like firefighting for those with less employment opportunities. Some of it is the Warrior protect homelands viewpoint. Some of it is just we are Americans same as anyone with all of the reasons one could choose!
 I am off to a environmental workshop after classes today. We drive to Boston to the M.I.T. campus for a You Can workshop. High school and college youth will give workshops on eco-topics. I want to learn more about Climate Change. We visit an aquarium too, first for this inland Alaskan Indian.

Bush kids don 't get to visit Lower 48 much, or even much of Alaska as it is so big. And takes funds. But as you see, they have other adventures. Usually visit places where relatives are-other villages, potlatch/funeral/gatherings, the hubs of Fairbanks, Anchorage, Bethel etc. I've only been to Galena maybe three or four times! It is 30 miles on the Yukon River. Gas cost a lot for boat to haul us. Even trip by 300 air miles to Fairbanks can cost you round $275. give or take nowadays. Medical visits may bring you outside your village to "town(Fairbanks)." So even getting a hair cut is a hassle, you do without or make do locally. We were lucky if had a box of fruit and vegetable and "White Man's meat" if got a relative to ship it on bush plane. I could go a year or more without going beyond the small village of Ruby, 160 people, I grew up in. Many are relatives. We didn't have funds for 'sightseeing.'

Subsistence lifestyle from two parents making money from dad's snowshoe making, cords of wood, some carpentry jobs, catch some marten or beaver for the fur, mom subbing at school, Post Office. Just get by. So, you bet a Pike in springtime makes your mouth water and everyone talks about when the Salmon are coming in June. And my nephew shooting his first goose or spruce gouse 'chicken' is a Very Big Deal. It is what has always gone on. Thanks for photos from Real Alaska, Audrey and Vern! Not that 'city' folks don't also get off the pavement and into the woods-that is what is great about Alaska. 70 % of the population lives outside Anchorage but they enjoy the outdoor life. 70% of all Natives in America live in suburban/urban places says all  the statistics and I sincerely hope they have family, mentors, Tribes who create opportunities to get outside and have more than a taste of the wild. It must be. I had it for 12 years. I am receiving a solid education in  N.Y. and know I will use my skills gained here to help others have the connection with tradition and outdoor upbringing I had.


Sheldon got goose 2015 with 20 gauge. Nummies with his first "chicken' few years ago.