The Native Villages
The Native cultures of Alaska are both similar and diverse. The strong influence of Alaska's varied environments formed ties between the people and the land, helping to develop unique legends, customs, and subsistence lifestyles in harmony with the specific area where they settled.
Native people had great respect for the spirit of each living thing. Respect and cooperation among village members helped to guarantee the survival of the people.
They were all basically hunters and food gatherers. Rivers, lakes and the ocean were major passageways, and all cultures included some variety of water transportation. Most groups were not really nomadic, but their subsistence lifestyle meant they had to be able to travel great distances. Almost all groups lived in permanent winter villages, but moved to fish camps on the rivers in the summer. Most depended heavily upon fish and marine life for subsistence. Land mammals were also used for food and clothing, and they supplemented their diet with vegetation such as mushrooms, seaweed, and a many kinds of berries.
Barrow - The Top Of The World
With approximately 4,500 residents, the Barrow area has probably the harshest weather in Alaska. It is one of the world's largest Inupiat Eskimo settlement where traditional culture and modern life are blended. While many modern conveniences are available, the subsistence life style is still very much in evidence, and fishing, hunting, and whaling are a way of life. North Slope oil discovery has brought wealth to the area, including modern influences such as snowmobiles, but it has been continuously occupied for 5,000 years by people who have learned how to live in the harsh arctic climate. A new Heritage Center, opened in 1999, is a "must see" for every visitor. |
