| On our final day in Alaska we took an excursion up to Anaktuvuk Pass to visit a modern native settlement. The settlement is accessible only by small plane and all goods and supplies must be flown in. On the way we stopped at Bettles to refuel. | |
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Who else do you know who has been to Bettles? |
It isn't exactly a major airport |
| After Bettles we flew up the John River to the pass, spotting wildlife as we went. At one point the pilot spotted a grizzly and pointed the wing at it as he pivoted around hoping that we would see it. No one did. At another point he buzzed a local homestead, and was contacted by the homesteader by radio and asked for the previous day's election results. After we arrived at the settlement we were given a walking and ATV tour. The community is an interesting study in the efforts of a traditional culture to maintain its identity within the modern culture. They have satellite TV, internet access, etc., but still go caribou hunting and try to teach their children traditional ways and values. | |
John River Valley |
Main street of the settlement |
An Argo, the main form of transportation. Each wheel is separately chain driven, which makes it almost unstoppable, as we discovered. |
The school is the focal point of the community--the library and the gymnasium double as community meeting rooms. There is a special room devoted to teaching native culture and posters extolling traditional virtues. |
Caribou strips set out to dry |
The tundra hardly looks as though it could support 400 people |
A plane was sent to pick us up in the afternoon |
and we returned to Fairbanks and then home. [No gremlins on the wing, though.] |
Arctic Circle |