Uksuqpak nengllirtuq sla: "The weather's been cold this winter"

Looking from my house towards the slough.

In much of November, December, and January, the elders let us know that this is the longest coldest winter they've had in many decades. Last year I remember every once in a while the thermometer would drop below -20 degrees. However, I've gotten used to -30 - -40 with extreme windchill for months now.

Henry, our loving elder.

When I asked Henry today what he thought of this winter he replied, "I didn't like it. It's too cold. Elders in the past used to tell us if the weather wants people to die, it gets really cold and let's them freeze. Elders used to say that to us when we were small. They told us to always let our parents know where we were going before we would leave." Henry says he knows of four people who have died from the cold this winter.

A few minutes later, Bill, our mayor came into the room and I asked him the same question. Bill said, "Wonderful winter! Good flood this year. Clean up the city." Bill and Henry reminisced about about the winters when they were kids. They said it was common for temperatures to be -50 to -60 and the ice on the river would be 5 to 6 feet thick. When they would go ice fishing, they'd need to dig holes with a larger opening at the top and a smaller hole at the bottom so they could get the ice shavings out and reach the water.

Our beautiful on/off ramp to the slough by my house.

Looking out my classroom window at a teacher's roof.

The evening sky is always beautiful while on my way out of school.

Looking at the ground from the air on the way back from Chevak.

Enjoying the afternoon sunshine with our shades.

A few days ago a storm brought the temperature up 70 degrees within 24 hours. It has stayed "warm" for awhile now and the kids and I are sweating in sweatshirts at below freezing temperatures. 

Looking at the melting snow and icicles.

I still love hearing the roar of a plane taking off.

"Village of Hope"

An episode aired all over the state of Alaska last night on KTUU Channel 2 news. Two reporters, Rhonda and Eric, chose to feature Alakanuk for the success of efforts in creating awareness and giving support to a community suffering from grief and suicide. A couple of weeks ago, they roamed the halls of the school and the village gathering footage and interviewing students, staff, health aides, and many community members who have suffered the loss of loved ones to suicide or other tragedies.

After watching my students follow the man with the large camera around, I decided to ask them what the topic of their story was. When they told me it was to focus on the absence of suicides in the last five years, I offered for them to come be a part of our weekly Natural Helpers meeting that afternoon.

Click on the link below to watch last night's report on Alakanuk.
Channel 2 News- "Village of Hope"

Natural Helper's main goal is to focus on preventing suicide, bullying, drug-use, and encouraging general safety. As a group, this year students have helped peers deal with losses related to a few fatal accidents involving alcohol. Although suicide has subsided, other accidents and grief have plagued the village. However, talking to anyone who has lost loved ones recently or in the past, their brave faces hardly show tears and pushing hurt aside and continuing life has become a normalcy for many. Despite some of the recent deaths, behind many of these cheerful, willing, and helpful faces, slowly the healing process has started to help some of the dampened hearts and hope has emerged.