5. Housing
There are 650 people who live in Akiachak, Alaska. Half of the residences
have running water, half do not. All homes have electricity. This is a very
nice house! Most homes have cable television but very few homes have
internet. Cell phones are everywhere! Cars are not.
7. Yupik People
There are many different native groups of people in Alaska today. I live in
the Yupik/Cupik region, home to the Yupik Eskimos. Today, Yupik Eskimos in
my area still practice a mainly subsistence based culture and lifestyle. The
language is still spoken by many people and traditions are important.
8. Village Lifestyle:
If you live a subsistence
based lifestyle, you live
mostly off the land and
what it provides, perhaps
supported by
jobs, trading, and
assistance.
• Hunting:
moose, caribou, bear, be
aver, weasels, ptarmigan,
geese, swans, etc.
• Fishing:
Salmon, Pike, Whitefish, w
hale, blackfish
• Boys in my class hunt from
about 3rd grade on.
9. Elders
Elders are important in native cultures throughout Alaska! They teach us
about the past and give us advice for the future. Elders help us make good
choices.
10. Salmon
Salmon! Salmon is the one of the most important natural
resources where I live. Over the summer, many families move to
fish camp where they can fish and dry fish more easily. In
addition, people from around the world come to fish Alaska
salmon or order in it restaurants in their home towns.
15. Birds, fish, and other small game:
Birds and fish are incredibly valued in Alaska. Those who live here continue
to hunt and fish like their ancestors before them. Throughout Alaska, fishing
and hunting is a popular pastime and important for survival.
16. Our School
Our school is just like most schools! We have computers, the internet, sports
teams and a library. Our school serves kindergarten through grade 12, or 5
year olds through 18 year olds. Most classes have about 15 students. We
don’t have school buses, though. Since our village is small, everyone walks.
Also, since we are not connected to another place by any roads, all field
trips and sport travel is by plane.
17. For Fun? MUSHING!
There are numerous dog races throughout Alaska. The largest is the
Iditarod. People come from around the world to compete! They have
to ride from South Central Alaska to the West Coast.