Akres Camp

While I wait to go "manaq"ing (ice-fishing), I'll upload pictures from yesterday of a trip to Akres Camp. Josh and I rode on our snowmachines ten miles to Emmonak and then about another 20 towards Kotlik. We arrived to a place, abandoned, with some houses, a school, an old fishing cannery, and some other buildings. Stepping into an old weathered window frame, we inspected what used to be. New and old evidence of people living and camping reminded me of exploring old houses in North Dakota on Grandma's farm. Only this time, I was walking amidst suitcases, books, and clothing of people I've never known, but they most likely have close connections with who I know now from Alakanuk.

I'm not sure the reasons why people left this specific camp, but it sounds like the main reason for all the abandoned little camps had less to do with political, economic, or social devastation. Most smaller camps have been abandoned due to sandbars shifting and eliminating fishing fortunes. However, with a fishing cannery, solid buildings, and a school, Akres Camp seems like within its brightly colored walls it holds a greater story. I'll ask an elder soon and update this later.


These pictures were all taken from my helmet camera, giving it a fish eye's view of the world. So, no, you don't have to run to the Ophthalmologist and reevaluate your current prescription. :)

A Look From my Desk

A student leads the class in the Reading SBA (statewide assessment) Practice Test. Testing begins next month, so the students have been getting used to the format through open discussion and practice in a usually humorous and productive atmosphere. The students in Alakanuk enter Kindergarten at a very low level and struggle to catch up to the rest of the state expectations for years to come. I'm hoping that practicing some testing skills and working on difficult vocabulary will boost their confidence and their ability to do their best on the test.
We can see a crane in the distance working on installing the first power lines out of the village-- from Alakanuk to a nearby village, Emmonak.
Usually the students choose their group names to be an animal, such as The Moose, The Panthers, The Mukluks, The Shark, etc. This group chose to be The Wild Pampers.
Students love the elementary laptop cart that our school got in January. Here a student is looking up a map of Alaska on Google Maps.
Here is a picture of a little girl I met one day out on the porch of the school. I'm still not sure exactly who she was but I loved her eyes that told a story before she could talk.