WALRUS in KONG!

This year I FINALLY got to see walrus! The river didn't freeze up as early as last year so the guys were able to go out and get 5 walrus over a span of about two weeks. The first one we (a group of us teachers) went to check out the walrus but it was pretty dark and hard to see. The next day I went with Dustin as they pulled in another walrus and cut it up. WOW is about all I can say- the pictures tell all except for the size. These things are 'GINORMOUS'!! It takes about 5 boats to tow one in. When the third walrus was caught, it was during cultural heritage week. Since this is a cultural event, Patrick and I took a group of kids on a 'field trip'. We hooked the trailer up to the 4-wheeler and took the kids through a mini blizzard to see this walrus. It was seriously the worst weather we have had so far this school year. It was a rain/snow/hail mix and extremely windy. The boardwalks were also slippery for driving but the kids were determined and didn't let the cold stop us! Needless to say we had a blast (was the most fun I have had on a field trip in my life)! Look at all of our pictures for proof :)

THESE pictures are from the first night- my first walrus (well... that I saw butchered in front of me at least)
It was a BEAUTIFUL sunset of course here in Alaska!



Here are the men pulling in their catch... they are pulling it here with two 4-wheelers to find good ground for slicing.

Here are the men that worked so hard to bring it in!


Teachers came to see the walrus- we were all so excited! Welllll most of us at least!

bloody foam coming from the mouth??

First slice of the night...






High Five! I wish you could see better the size difference but pictures just don't do it justice!



THESE pictures are from the second walrus.

This was such a graphic site that I just had to take a picture! I walked over for a picture of the walrus head and saw a knife sticking out of it. Of course I had to pose for a picture and noticed to my left some locals cracking up laughing as I held this knife in the head :/

Feel sorta bad for the poor fella...

The guys put hooks into the body of the walrus and they all work together to pull it one direction. While they are pulling it to one side, guys on the other side cut to separate the skin/blubber from the meat.

Why do you think he is smiling so big?!?! :)

So this little guy was showing me the clams! When they butcher the walrus, there are clams inside the stomach. Since the walrus is so warm inside, it actually cooks the clams! The clams are typically given to elders after a walrus is cut up.

Good walrus ;)



Last but not least, these pictures are from our field trip!
Again, pulling with the hooks...

She was chewing 'eskimo gum' and asked if I wanted to try...

So of course I said yes! Eskimo gum is actually the heart valve! The texture reminds me of cartlidge and when you chew it up it sorta breaks down... I didn't gag but I did eventually spit it out-- got tired of chewing on something that tasted like blood.

Below is part of the group of kids who went to see the walrus. Miserable weather but really an awesome experience- we all had so much fun!

While the men were all working on the walrus, the snow they were standing in got too bloody and muddy. They decided we needed to move the walrus to a better spot. They cut holes in the skin of the walrus and circled it ready to pull (as you can see below). They counted to three and all the men and boys there pulled but the thing didn't budge! I COULDN'T believe it! They had already taken off the flippers and a lot of the meat! Everyone who was there had to help the next time they pulled (which is why I don't have any pictures). It was really cool though because EVERY person there grabbed a spot on the ropes and pulled on the count of three. We began pulling it over to the new spot when one of the students fell down and she was right in the front middle of the walrus. Not everyone saw her fall and kept pulling and it actually was pulled on top of her feet and shins! She was scrambling to get up before it covered her and just started laughing once everyone stopped-- it was hilarious!

Another group photo as Patrick and I and some of the kids were chewing on heart valve... yum. I thought Pat may toss his cookies!

Cultural Heritage Week

Every year we have a cultural heritage week here in Kongiganak. This is a time when students can spend the week working on various cultural projects. Elders come in and work with each group to teach the students. Last year we held it in the spring and this year in the fall so the students get a variety of cultural experiences. Students work on projects in the school or are excused to go hunting/fishing/camping etc. It's an awesome experience and I hope you enjoy all the pictures :)

Working with tools

Blackfish Net Boys

Beading

They even made a sled!

More nets!

I think he was stuck in the net???

Working on her mittens...

One of the girls with her hat-- almost finished!

ESKIMO DANCING!

We had visitors from Tununak come to dance. Winnie, the elder on the left, was in my group and taught me how to make a hat. She was so sweet!

Slippers!

Ice Picks! The men go out and chip ice off of lakes and use that for fresh water in the winter.

Fur Mittens

Older boys made black fish nets. Later in the week they went by boat to set the nets/traps and hours later checked and had caught lots of fish!

Younger boys made wooden boats

Older girls made mittens

Girls sewed purses and sewing kits to take home.

Girls used beads to make bracelets, necklaces and earings.

Older girls made Headdresses for their Eskimo Dancing.


Older boys made knives... even Mr. Wright! He doesn't mess around! (can you imagine this in the Lower 48?!?!?!)

Happy Halloween!

Moose dressed up as Indiana Jones for Halloween this year. I'll try to post better pictures of this later but here is one :) He loves to dress up!

Tommy Phillip NYO Meet + other pics

In Mid-October we had the 2nd annual Tommy Phillip Native Youth Olymics Meet here in Kong.

Tommy Phillip is the elder in the middle of this picture. He is very well known throughout the state of Alaska for his NYO skills and still holds records from what I understand. He teaches Yup'ik classes to the younger kids here and coaches NYO. If you ever fly into Kong he is also the Grant agent and greets you at the airport with a big smile every time.

Below is the Indian Stick Pull event. This even tests grasp... two people pull on a stick covered in crisco/grease.

A few of our girls participated in the Seal Hop. The boys have to hop on their knuckles but the girls' hands can be flat on the ground.

This is one of our boys doing the Wrist Carry event. They literally hold onto the bar with theirs wrists and are timed for how long they can stay in the air while being carried around the gym.

If you want more info on other NYO events check out this link...
http://www.anchorage.net/764.cfm

Now I just have a random assortment of other pictures I never blogged about earlier...
Moose can be cute and calm sometimes...

Moose and midnight are BFFs.

In September we had a Salmonberry festival in Kong. They held kayak races across the lake which is between the housing and the new school. It was a beautiful fun filled day.

Moose soaks up all of the love an attention he can get... as you can see, the kids gladly share their love :)