High in the Arctic !! Eskimo....

[Majik Imaje]

Inupiat / Inupaq Eskimo Point Hope Alaska !

Point Hope Alaska is the oldest continually inhabited settlement or village in all of North America.

Hello.. My name is David, I am from Boston, I was working in Alaska, at the airport, my company sent me to this tiny Eskimo village for just 3 weeks, to wire some construction camps. When the job was finished, I quit the company and stayed.

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Point Hope - Tikigaq A small whaling village of only 700 people 200 miles above the Arctic circle in the Northwest portion of the state.

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Nothing, but empty barren tundra,for hundreds of miles, Life here can accurately be traced back many thousands of years to this one spot of land.

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We live out on the ocean ice pack for two months or longer, when we hunt the mighty bowhead whale. The women use tents a 1/2 > 3/4 a mile back from the lead opening where the hunters wait, watch, and sleep, no tents for the hunters. It is 40 below zero and colder and very windy.

http://majikimaje.com/BoatIce1.jpg


waiting, watching, eating, sleeping, this is home for the next two months. five miles out on the Ocean Ice pack. 700 people move out here to live and hunt for food.

come along and learn the eskimo way...!

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18 WHALING CREWS are spaced out along the ocean Ice pace 1/2 - 3/4 miles apart. some families stay together out on the ice. But the entire community is spread out some 10 miles along the narrow lead opening on the ice pack. Home Sweet Frozen Home.

How do you get delicious fresh drinking water, miles out on the ocean ice ?
No electricity, No plumbing, no place to go.. .. sit, wait, watch and learn from the comfort of your own home, how we live and the many "TRICKS" we employ to survive in this extremly harsh and unforgiving climate at the top of the world.

http://majikimaje.com/Luke2.JPG


The lead opening, is starting to open, this is where the whales and other animales will migrate further north. We wait and watch & wait.

Hot meals 3 - 4 times a day, plenty of fresh hot donuts, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and plenty of good food. but how do you get or obtain delicious fresh drinking water way out here in the middle of the ocean ?

http://majikimaje.com/Doughnuts.jpg


The women ( 3-4 ) in each crew, 8 hunters plus the Umailiq, (whaling captain), are fed three - four times a day. This is our favorite time of year. Whaling. We melt snow for water. for washing cups, thermoses etc. but for drinking water, snow is yuk !

I have lots of incredible photos and bizarre true stories of life in the frozen north of Alaska.

http://majikimaje.com/dellafay.jpg


Daisy Della Fay Koonuk Age 3. In 1983, United Bank of Alaska offered me 100K for the complete rights to this image. I am so happy I took the advice of some close friends in the Art World that convinced me to say NO!

http://majikimaje.com/KR.jpg


Kathy Rock, age 10, I spent 1/2 hour with this young girl, out on the ocean ice. she is sitting on a snowmachine or snowmobile, the temp is 40 below zero.

Everytime I would bring the camera up, she would smile. I said NO! Please don't do that. I want you to look past me, I want you to pretend I am not even here. It took a while but I got the exact look I wanted -=[click]=- I only exposed one frame of film!:rolleyes

[DavidTO]

That's some very cool stuff! How lucky you are to be a part of that way of life. I'd be interested to see/hear more.

[Stan]

Those are wonderful images. Thank you and welcom to Dgrin. You did not say how long ago you quit your job.

Stan

[Elaine]

Very interesting pics and story! Certainly not the usual! Would like to see and read more...

Elaine

[wxwax]

:clap

:bow Fantastic, David!

Thanks for a great look at a rare lifestyle.

Point Hope seems very vulnerable to waves. I had the chance to visit Shishmaref, which I'm sure you know is being eaten up by storms, as the sea ice offers less and less protection as a result of climate change. Is the same thing happening to point Hope? That thin strip of land looks so much like Shish from the air.

[Majik Imaje]

DaveTO, Elane, Stan, Wxwax.. :rofl I promise you some bizarre "text" and incredible photographs.

I was sent to this village for just 3 weeks, that was almost 30 years ago, and I am STILL HERE.

I fell totally in love with the lifestyle, culture, the people, The Arctic !

I have been honored to have been invited on 5 whale hunts when I lived here in the 80's. On my first whale hunt (1982) I had no water, none, I had to melt snow, to obtain the necessary precious water to mix chemicals, and develop vericolor type S professional film. Sixty rolls 6 x 7 format Mamiya RB 67.

20 below zero, is a wonderful day, children play outside all day long. Out on the ocean ice, they play out for weeks on end at these sub zero temps.

http://majikimaje.com/eatsnow.jpg

The women do all the cooking in the tents, which are located some 1/2 mile back, on much safer ice. There is always the danger of the ice breaking in back of the tent areas also. Anything can happen out here, and sharp eyes are needed at night time, when the women go to sleep in that tent.

A "Boyer" is in charge of that tent at night when the women go to sleep.

His job is to keep that homemade woodstove fired up, just right, by adding wood, "sicpan" (seal oil), which is EXTREMLY FLAMMABLE, his job is to chop wood, all night long by himself, attend that stove, melt snow for washing dishes, thermoses, "make fresh water for drinking".. and make coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and get those thermoses down to the lead opening for the hunters, his chores also include WATCHING the wind, WATCH the ice, for cracks, BE ALERT for POLAR BEARS, now.. your in good hands.. lie down and go to sleep, and hand your bic lighter, and your matches over to this "BOYER" WHO IS... three years old!

http://majikimaje.com/04s.JPG


IMAGINE THAT !!! no you can't imagine that. THIS IS COMMON in the Arctic. Where do we get the wood ?? We gather it in the late summer on the beaches, we haul it down here.

It takes a whole year, just to get ready for whailng, The entire Inupiat way of life, revolves around the bowhead whale. NOTHING, not one scrap, is ever wasted.

http://majikimaje.com/2KIDSONICE.JPG


Life out on the ocean ice, is the most impressive thing I have ever beheld in my life, this impresses me more, than anything I have ever witnesses or heard about, All this work, chopping a trail through miles of ocean ice to move skin boats, equipment, tents, supplies, an entire communtiy moves and acts as ONE out here on the ice.

The hunters sleep outside, no tents, for two months! 30-60 below zero with vicious winds! non-stop !

http://majikimaje.com/watching1.jpg


Midnight in may, home sweet home, for two months, We move out here in April, and we wait, watch, listen 24 /7 doesn't anyone sleep ? NO !

Being in sunlight 24 hours a day, triggers a solar powered cell, and it is very easy to stay awake, alert, for 3 days or more, when tired and you need rest, just lie back, right there on that sled, and rest for just a few hours and your good to go, for another three days, or longer!
http://majikimaje.com/002s.jpg


Authentic Mukluks (eskimo boot) caribou sides, walrus hide bottoms. Extremely warm, light as a feather, This is one method of cooking a fish when a hunter goes out on a long journey, put a fish wrapped into the boot, the body heat will "cook" that fish while he walks for hours!

Believe me, when it is pulled out much later, @ 30 below and opened, it is 'STEAMY" HOT!

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hOME MADE CLOTHING.. all sewn together.. .. ... using "dental floss" !

Even the skin boats, Umiaq - the ugruk (bearded seal skins) are all sewn using dental floss. our lives depend on it because of its strength.

The old ways are dying quickly, too many restrictions are being put on our way of living, These people that make these decisions should go out on that ice and sit and wait. to eat. from the ocean, the land, or the air.

For thousands of years, this is our way of life, now we cannot hunt and eat the whale as we need to. We are limited to seven attempts

7 and if we miss,, we have to go home, and purchase food at four, five times the going rate, due to high cost of freight.

7 whales cannot possibly feed this village for four months, never mind a full year. Last year, we struck out, no whales, We have to play baseball now, it used to be 3 stirkes in early 80's but there were only 450 people here then.

Pont Hope used to have a population of over 10,000 people. Until, the Yankee whalers & Portugese showed up during the mid 1800's. the village slowly died from mass starvation & disease 190 people survived.


http://majikimaje.com/bath.jpg

It was knowing this. the drove me for six months to melt snow, and process color film and print the 11 x 14 images, and some how get this done in time to go up to Barrow to attend a CLOSED meeting of WHALING CAPTAINS only, to present my photographs to these people that are making decisions and taking away the Eskimo way of life.THESE PEOPLE MUST BE STOPPED.

not the Eskimo way of living.

During the many THOUSANDS of years of living here in this one spot, The Inupaq peoples have lived in complete harmony with the land the sea and air without ever depleting ANY of the resources.

the day of the meeting is approaching and i have been working feverishly around the clock to get this album finished, actually 7 albums, each one identical. and I flew up to Barrow at considerable expense.

the day of the meeting arrived and I am on my way to this CLOSED meeting. I know this meeting is for Whaling Captains only.

On the way to the building, i SLIPPED on a piece of ice and went completly horizontal, the album went flying into the air and crash landed beraking both front and back covers off and the pages were scattered all over the place in mud.! I just sat there and cried like a little baby. GOT UP.. and picked up this mess and proceeded to this meeting all covered in mud, albun is a mess covered in mud pages hangingi out all over the place.

I walk in and they quickly grabbed me and threw me out.

OUTSIDE I try to clean up a bit with the album I could care less what I look like, and I walk back in and I am grabbed physically and thrown out.

I straghten up.. walk back in.. here they come.. and I yell loud..AND OPEN THE BOOK "YOU NEED THESE PHOTOGRAPHS".!!

wo the heck is this white man, covered in mud, with photos covered in mud?

THEY LET ME IN:.. and I spoke for over 1/2 hour on that podium to very important people and two state senators. and members of the international whaling commision and the Alaska Eskimo whaling commission.

i even spoke.. in Eskimo!

Upon my return to Point Hope I quickly sent them a NEW ALBUM..

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for the last 20 years & longer the ocean ice has been getting thinner and thinner, we noticed this in the 80's and 90's BUT .. FOR THE LAST four years.. in a row.. the ICE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL

currently at this moment today. 4 - 14 - 07 we are 5 miles out on the


Chukchi Sea in the Bering Strait

[ChrisJ]

Wow, incredible (and sad) story, David. Your images are peerless, just awesome. I'm glad you posted this. I feel like I'm reading a National Geographic article.

As a side note, sometimes I'm amazed at how technological advances allow someone to communicate in very difficult circumstances. I can't wait to hear how/when you get back from the Sea.

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/PullSled.jpg



My very first trip out to the ocean ice, it is 55 below, I have the flu, I just want to roll over in bed. NO! Jake (whaling captain) wants me on his crew, down on the ocean ice, NOW.

I FROZE THE FLU, after sleeping outside that night, I was perfectly fine the next day.

http://majikimaje.com/BOOTSs.jpg


Esimo's have "TRICKS" to keep warm. many tricks. that can / will save your life when used.

MYTH: Eskimo's are used to the cold ! NO! they get just as cold as you or I, but there are ways to get warm out here in the middle of no where, HOT FOOD ? absolutly not! that will make your body relax, and your going to get cold later, We eat plenty of hot food, but at times, you need Quaq.

Pick up that hack saw and slice some meat off those ribs!

QUAQ raw frozen meat (caribou) or raw frozen fish, cut thin slices and swallow them whole do not chew them, FILL YOUR STOMACH FULL, and your stomach has to work very very hard to digest that meat or fish, & you will start to push out body heat the likes of which you have NEVER encountered. @ 40 below zero we are talking clothes off because we are too hot.

DON NOT ATTEMPT THIS AND TRY AND STAY INSIDE you will end up suffering greatly.

HANDS, FINGERS, FACE, you only have to SUFFER once before you will do this, and it works. but it is discusting. THAT IS WHAT my first IMPRESION was when WAS TOLD how to keep your hands warm out in the Arctic.

Yuk ! there is just no way,, I would ever do that .. GROSS.!

UNTIL.. I was placed in a situation that i had no choice. my hands were killing me, I could not take the pain and cold any longer.. TAKE YOUR GLOVES OFF.. this is why your nose runs so much when it is cold... USE IT.

BLOW YOUR NOSE into your hands,, rub it all over your fingers and hands and put your gloves back on quckly.

INSTANLY.. .. .. your hands become "toasty" warm, they don't HURT when they warm up,, and they will NOT GET COLD, for the rest of the day.

sniff ! sniff. Kakiik (Kah keek) "snot" ! Prevents, heals, frostbite. It can save your life, when in a remote place. stranded, cold, suffering.

Dirty clothes cannot keep you warm ! Loose layers, many loose layers,

Long Johns ? NO ! too tight! Everyone in the arctic dresses basically the same. After basic undergarments, the next most IJMPORTANT piece of clothing is a pair of gym shorts. Your gonna be sitting a lot, Loose sweat pants come next, then jeans, then ski pants. Upper torso, a couple of loose large T-shirts, then a couple of good flannel shirts, then a hooded sweatshirt, then a spring jacket, then the eskimo hunting parky. & GOOD THICK sunglasses, the sun is incredibly INTENSE.

http://majikimaje.com/JOHNNYKa.jpg


One side of your face is sweating, the other side is getting frost bit. This takes some getting used to, Face the other way and it gets worse!

This is a "different planet" a different world for sure. There is no way I would ever leave the Arctic.

http://majikimaje.com/Ray.jpg

Changing film was pure toture! it would take quite a long time for me to be able to use my hands and fingers to be able to work the controls again. This was one such day i will never forget.. 60 below and very windy.

Cruising for food. contrary to what you beieve and know. Eskimo's don't chase a whale, they wait. for that WHALE TO GIVE HIMSELF over to THE CAPTAIN OF ITS CHOICE. the whale will match the captains personality.

some captains never catch a whale because of their personality.

A whale will match that captains personality. and so does the weather!

this is difficult to explain, and even harder for you to understand.

that tiny skin boat is only 12 feet long, that whale is perhaps 50 feet long, one flick of that whales tail and that crew, that umiaq is history. THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED EVER. One flick would break that flimsy driftwood boat covered with skins into toothpicks,

That whale can easily outrun an umiaq. A whale has incredible sense of smell, hearing and vision. I have proof of that.

Women must leave the ocean ice at certain times of the month. go home, get off the ice, Polar Bears are extremly dangerous and very unpredictable.

I have sad stories about that.. ... (later)!

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Each camp is set up identical in every detail. TIME TESTED METHODS. Everyone uses the same, everything, it doesnt matter which camp your in, walk into that tent and the layout of everything is identical.

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http://majikimaje.com/WHERE_02.jpg


Wait & watch & listen, animals are coming, Bowhead whale, beluga whales, seals, walrus, ducks galore, Fresh Duck soup every day! Fresh donuts every day in every camp.

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11:30 p.m. in May ! The canvas is to help block the wind from coming through the ice blocks that are natural way out here.

http://majikimaje.com/ICE.jpg

but how do you get or obtain DELICIOUS FRESH DRINKING WATER OUT HERE.


there is a private bathroom behind any tall remote piece of ice.! but no running water.

HOW DO 700 people get tons of fresh drinking water out here in the middle of a frozen ocean of SALT WATER ???

[Majik Imaje]

thanks ChrisJ

NationaL Geograhpic ha ha ha.. they offered me 5k for the complete rights to all images.

I was born at night.. .. .. but it wasn't last night. I knew what I had for photographs and the value of them.

http://majikimaje.com/dinner123.jpg

[wxwax]

You're a passionate story teller, David!

Wonderful photos, it's a privilege to see the Inupiat way of life.

[David_S85]

David, you have brought me to a place I will more than likely never venture. Through your photographs and story (continuing I hope), I am there. What a unique priviledge it is to share this adventure you bring to us!

This is exactly what the Journeys Forum was designed for. More! More! :clap

[Stan]

I showed the story to my children (7 and 8). Especially the bit about the 3 year old Boyer. They loved the idea of staying up all night and being in charge... but then I asked them to clear the breakfast table...:rofl

Your images are unique and deserve to be shown, in context, to as wide an audience as possible. Congratulations for having the strength to hold on to them.

Do you still use film or have you changed to digital?

Stan

[Majik Imaje]

I remember when I first saw THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY in Camera 35 magazine in 1975. I was furious! I was quite upset, only because it had taken me a lot of hard work to master the C-41 Kodak process and the EP2 printing process. Now click click and better results are achieved with no knowledge and long processing techniques that few ever learn.

http://majikimaje.com/drkrm15.jpg


A small portion of darkroom # 15 ! Yes I have built and owned 16 color darkrooms!
And according to Kaptain Kodak, a darkroom should be painted WHITE. not black! as most are painted. My first two were black, then every darkroom there after was 100% white! what a huge difference!

Yes we made the switch to digital. we have a "few" of them.

The latest addition is a panasonic FZ 50 w/ leica lens 35mm - 420 mm zoom

http://majikimaje.com/aloneumiaq.jpg


Here we wait, for the lead to open, which just opened two days ago and a mad rush of people disapeeared into the vast open spaces of the ice pack

40 below zero.. HOME SWEET FROZEN HOME for the next two months.

at night it is much colder, once that sun goes below the horizon, next month in mid may. the sun won''t go down below the horizon until August.

http://majikimaje.com/mid.jpg

SOLAR POWER.. the village is alive at night with the sound of little children playing out. ALL NIGHT LONG. We have the greatest summers.

762 Tasiq (tah suck) Street in Point Hope Ak. My house. "'rental".
http://majikimaje.com/HOME-SWEET-HOME.jpg
rent: 150 per month heat: 50 per month electricity : 350 per month. Food? don't ask you won't believe $1000 a week! How is that possiblel ??

Easy, if I have a six pack of coke a cola a day, (which I do) that is six bucks @ a buck a can. I have three sons with me, so a case a day and we always go through more than that.. = $24 x 7 = 200 bucks a week. (rounded off). ha ha ha ha.. $800 a month for pop! ROFLMAO !!! a pound of butter, 10 bucks, cookies, 7.80 ha ha. and this is in a place where there are virtually NO JOBS.. Price of a small turkey,
ha ha ha. 135 bucks or more. yes it is very easy to spend 1000 bucks a week in that Native store, The cost of frieght is more than some items even cost.If I make a spaghetti sauce with meat balls, sausage, pork and chicken, ha ha.. that sauce will cost over 200 to make.

HOW DO PEOPLE survive.?? Arts & Crafts $$$$$$$$$$$$$ big bucks in the Arctic. Our Arts & Crafts sell all over, in this village, all villages, and in Anchorage and beyond. All over the state of Alaska there is something that is better and more valuable than GOLD... ivory ! no not the soap.

WALRUS IVORY that is thousands of years old, fossilized,

http://majikimaje.com/M001-M.JPG GORGEOUS BRACELETS

1000 bucks in the Arctic is like 100 dollars where you live. Gas is well over $5,00 per gallon, has been that way for years.

Arts & Crafts is big money. DOLL MAKING

http://majikimaje.com/Female Doll.jpg

These dolls are about 15" high or tall. these dolls are much sought after througout the whole world, I have seen dolls as little as 10" high sell for $10,000! The ones pictured here sold before they were even finished.

$450 for the female dancer and 250 for the Hunter.


http://majikimaje.com/doll_Hunter.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/BM02.jpg


Whale bone vertebrae disc about 6" in diameter. Two tourists bought this from us before it was even finished. they didn't care, their plane was leaving and they wanted that now. $200. we use these for ashtrays, they are perfect. Eskimo bone masks are another thing that no two are ever alike. I have seen them go for as high as 7,000.

Baleen baskets are also treasured and much sought after, Elmer frankson in Point Hope makes four of them every year. huge ones. that sell on the east coast for $35,000 each!

Yes there is major money in Arts & Crafts, I pulled all four of my sons out of high school 4 years ago. They are about to retire! and I am 100% serious.

http://majikimaje.com/Isaiah03.jpg

UNIQUE ONE OF A KIND fossilized ivory bracelets. My sons make these here at home. In this tiny house. that is all they do all day long. for almost 4 years now. they are considered the best in Kotzebue, Point Hope and soon to make their debut in Barrow. http://majikimaje.com/today.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/NEW-EST.JPG

i MIGHT AS WELL introduce you to my sons.. .. .. "initials" LOL .. ..


MarkAndrew Jesse Isaiah Khristopher = Majik

Isaiah, MarkAndrew, Jesse, Eves = IMAJE

http://majikimaje.com/001.jpg


oh yeah.. I amost forgot.. ONE WORD.. with a dot com @ the end.. majikimiaje.com

[Majik Imaje]

FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS, things have been undisturbed, you never know, what you might find.

Kotzebue Alaksa 70 miles above the arctic circle, Clyde Harris was walking along the beach, he noticed something sticking up out of the mud a few inches, he kicked it & almost broked his toe. there are no toe trucks in the Arctic. never have seen one yet. clyed bent over and grabbed that little stump and the earth moved TEN FEET AWAY. OMG.. he quickly ran home, got a shovel and dug this up.

FOSSILIZED MASTADON IVORY.. he was offered $15,000 for it, but he refused.

south of Kotzebue in Candle there is a "tusk" in one piece 20 foot long embedded into the side of a cliff in ice. People have been watching this for years, for the ice to melt. the location is too dangerous to attempt any type of digging or whatever.

NOrth of Point Hope there is an ENTIRE MASTADON SKELETON preserved with huge tusks. in the side of a cliff half in the ice still, THE ELDERS do not want anyone to touch it or to take any photographs of it, they fear the worst in mankind to destroy it and take it away.

http://majikimaje.com/tusk.jpg


MaSTADON TEETH are everywhere in the Kotzebue sound area, many people make a good living just by finding teeth the size of bricks!

this is a small piece of a mastadon tooth that is just a chip off the actual size of the tooth. the layers are where the huge crushing movements took place in the tooth as it grew, from the humongous JAWS they possessed.
http://majikimaje.com/images/mi01.jpg



That is basically ACTUAL SIZE of a corner of the tooth a "chip" if you will.


Here are some cross cuts off Exquisite fossilized ivory. It takes as much as ten thousand years, for ivory to absorb all the elements of the sea.

Black is the oldest, blue is the rarest, but all colors are present in very unique colorful patterns.

http://majikimaje.com/images/fi01.jpg http://majikimaje.com/images/fi02.jpg



GOLD IS EVERYWHERE up in the moutains outside of Point Hope,On top of bedrock, but no one will touch it. Many have tried and gotten very sick. dogs were used to try and haul it out, but the dogs died.

MANY STRANGER TALES EXIST here in the Arctic.. I will tell you of things that go bump in the night. only kidding, but when you hear these stories, YOU WONT BELIEVE THEM ONE BIT.

The man... who lost.. his nose ! TRUE STORY..

http://majikimaje.com/wally.html


http://majikimaje.com/SUN COPYa.JPG


Rex Rock - -=[Umaliaq]=- Whaling Captain - winner Alaska Press Award 1989 - MIDNIGHT IN MAY

http://majikimaje.com/SUNROCK.JPG


We are gaining 20 minutes more light each day now, soon it will not get dark. 3 a.m. is just like 3 p.m. The sun and the moon are visible 24 hours a day circling above high in the sky.


Is it 3 AM or 3 PM ? June & July you can't tell the difference what time of day it is and no one cares!

http://majikimaje.com/images/CLARAf.JPG


There are no O's in the Eskimo language & no E's also.

so when you hear or see the word IGLOO that is wrong!

First of all 95% of people do not know what an IGLU really is.

Iglu = one dwelling place Iglut = 2 dwelling places Igluk = 3+


An iglu is NOT MADE OUT OF ICE. you have to go to Greenland or Canada for that type of structure. But here in Alaska since eon's ago. an iglu has always been made out of .. .. whale bones and sod !

http://majikimaje.com/igloo2.jpg

In fact this "condo" has electricty going to it at one point in time. the service drop is located on the left !

http://majikimaje.com/ots02.JPG
An iglu is quite large inside, and could easily accomodate a very large family. Once the snow arrives then you see the "mound" but since times long ago THIS IS HOW the Eskimo's of Alaska lived. 3,000 years ago their ancestors crossed the bering land bridge, and settled in Point Hope. All villages in Alaska were founded by people from Point Hope, Greenland was founded by the same people, they speak the same dialect.


http://majikimaje.com/iglu3.jpg

[saurora]

David this is just an amazing post and an intriguing look at a life and culture I know little about. Fascinating stuff and look forward to more posts! :thumb

[photodoug]

you had me at "High in the Arctic !!"
...keep going please

[Majik Imaje]

waiting for whales to migrate, meanwhile back in the tent area, food is being prepared. Caribou soup. Great stuff. no fat in caribou meat NONE.

TAKE 3 POUNDS of ground up caribou meat, fry it up, there is less than 1/2 teaspoon of fat!

http://majikimaje.com/AQUAQ.JPG


delicious fresh water is needed for makiing soup, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, miles out on the ocean ice, we need tons of water, lots and lots of it every day. take any piece of ice, OCEAN ICE is salt water! We have to take the salt out.. .. the eskimo way.. we wait! & WAIT.

Stand up any piece of ice, brush the snow off it. Now wait & watch. As the sun beats down on that piece of ice. it will start to "clear" up. In other words the sun will cause the salt to settle in that piece of ice.

As that piece of ice becomes clearer, then take your kettle over to that piece of ice and start to chop from the top horizontally, small chunks of ice and fill your kettle with the most DELICIOUS drinking water you have ever tasted!

We can actually speed up this process by placing that piece of ice on "sand". Yes we bring sand down to the ocean ice. We can use sand to cut gigantic holes in that ice. if we need to, to find a whale that has hidden under the ice pack.

Sand will heat up rapidly from the strong sun, and sink into the ice.
down, down, down, we wait, watch and the sun will help us cut any size hole we want.

http://majikimaje.com/AMOS_LANE.jpg

Picnic time, two months of it. Delicious hot food many times each and every day. All trash, every scrap of it, is picked up, taken care of and brought back into town to the dump which is on the south side of town. Stong North Wind always keeps any burning smells out of the village. if the wind does shift, and it does, to a south wind, Then the ice is advancing and we have to scram, run quick, Assholes and elbows are running all over the place, it is a mad scramble. "Killivuk" get out of here NOW!

ICE IS COMING OUR WAY.. ... .. and it will run right over everything with 50 foot tall piles of crashing tall huge chunks, we have little time. It takes 8 hours to set up a camp properly. when the wind shifts to south, we have less than 15 minutes to pack EVERYTHING up and evacuate back to land.

It is a mad frantic dash, everyone is running gathering anything and everything to get out of here A.S.A.P.

Long ago in the very olden days when they had no way to evacuate, they would take a first born girl and strip that baby and hold the baby up into the wind, and move the baby to the direction they needed the wind to shift to, so that they could stay out there and hunt.


http://majikimaje.com/ELIJAH.JPG


This is a very quiet, peaceful way to live, one with the land, the sea, and the air. There are no traffic jams up here. no pollution, & most important of all, no noise. When it is quiet out. ( no wind) two people can be 3/4 a mile away talking and you can hear them!!
My Captain.. .. .. -=[Jake Koonuk]=- The man with the "funny hat" !

http://majikimaje.com/Jake2.jpg


Avataqpaq (ah vah tuck puck) is a suffed seal skin filled with AIR. It is used much in the same manner as a "bobber" is used in fishing, but this tells us which way the whale is headed. 200 feet of rope is attached to avataqpaq.

It is the number two persons job in that umiaq to make sure that the captain and other people don't get tangled in that rope when it is taken by the whale.

Whales are just like little children, they always copy the captains personality. Some captains will never catch a whale because of their personality, i.e. (mean person, will not share etc.) animals know this somehow and act accordingly. some whales will "show off" when they give themself over to a captain. Others will act timid and just give up quickly.
Some will hide, play hide and seek, and give the crews a workout, trying to find it or locate it. but all in all.. THAT WHALE HAS TO GIVE HIMSELF. over to the captain. Unless everything is prepared correctly, the captin will not receive a whale. Everything must be cleaned and new on that umiaq.

oars or paddles must be sanded and all dirt must be taken off.
all equipment must be checked re-checked many times.

http://majikimaje.com/RIFLE.JPG

That seal skin that covers the umiaq is very thin. paper thin, that is all that protects them from the deadly water.

Six ugruk skins (bearded seal) are sewn together using a water tight stitch made using dental floss.

Just after this photo was taken two whaling captains approached that woman and told her. We don't allow cameras down here.. please leave.

she made the mistake of saying and pointing.. BUT. HE IS TAKING PICTURES ALSO.

ooppsss that was the wrong thing for her to say.. You!! don 't know what your talkng about they told her. He has been before the Bia, the IRA, the captains association, the whaling commision. WHO ? HAVE YOU ASKED PERMISSION FROM ? either leave now. or that camera and you are going into the water! She quickly left, very pissed off and mad.

John Denver came to Point Hope in 1976. I was in Boston at the time, I had never been to ALASKA.. .. yet ! I was watching this episode on the Tonight show with Johnny Carson,

An eskimo with a "funny hat" was with John Denver out on the ocean ice, and they were watching a polar bear. John Denver brought some movie clips with him, i was fascinated with this show. BUT THEN John Denver began to describe these people and the village of Point Hope.

Nothing but blasphemous, slanderous lies he told. They caught a whale and left it there to rot he proclaimned on T.V. before the whole world.

John Denver did a lot of very bad things to the people of Point Hope, when he was in the village.

He wanted to "help" their cause, to continue whaling. ha! cocaine, Pot, and cases and cases of alcohol were brought in to bribe the whaling captains.

Jo-Jo Omnick was out on the tundra for over three days runing around, thinking he was a "caribou". due to the chocolate mesculine they gave him.

Mr. Denver did these people a grave injustice by hurting them in this manner, and then to get on National TV and call them the names he used, was a very low low thing to do.

There is just no way, ever, these people would let their favorite food, lie there and go to waste. That is sacreligious and against everything the Eskimo people believe in.
http://majikimaje.com/IRMA04.JPG


Irma Oktollik is the whaling captains wife (umaliaq) that told me about the whale giving it self to the captain of its choice.

I must admit that when she was explaining all of this to me ( I did not believe her, I was very skeptical). It just didn't make any sense.

It doesnt matter which year it is she said. "that whale will always do the same exact thing for that same captain year after year.

For instance, she added, If so & so strikes a whale, that whale will always go south, if so & so strikes a whale that whale will always go north, and if so & so strikes a whale, that whale will always hide under the ice.

She went on and said.. this year it is warm (zero). this is Joe Frankson's weather she said. WATCH.. .. when Joe strikes a whale, that whale dies instantly very close to Joe's camp. when that whale dies the temperature will drop 100 degrees she added and the wind will come screaming in at over 100 miles an hour. ha ha ha ha ha.. ok.. I am setting my tripod up at Joe's camp. I want to see and witness this.

http://majikimaje.com/IRMA.jpg


A friend of mine from Boston arrived in Point Hope for this 83 whale hunt. We moved over to Joes crew and we are sitting up high on ice pressure ridges in back of Joe's camp. playing chess!

STUPID STUPID STUPID ME.... never saw or heard Joe's crew silently slip into the umiaq and softly paddle out about 50 yards off shore.. I hear BOOM. (exploding harpoon) and look up to see a dead whale beside joe's umiaq. I am just about to get up to click the image and that wind, came rushing in at 100 miles and hour and that temp dropped like a rock. OMG is it cold now.. we are running, to get jmore clothes on. That wind was vicous and the temp matched. viciouslly cold, Oh my gosh. how did she know ???

But Irma was 100% correct. I don't know how she knew, or what she knew but she told me exactly what would happen, two weeks before it ever did happen.

http://majikimaje.com/LETSGO.JPG

In that image above, the water, beside the ice? Floyd Oktollik, is smiling at me and I know what he is thinking.. LOL what is that dumb city boy from Boston going to do next. ?? they leave and are out of sight in no time.
I have the habit of making these people fall into fits of uncontrolable fall down laughter,
I walk over to that edge. No one is around, I am the ONLY PERSON, on the ice pack, everyone is gone, in skin boats,

the women in the tents, 1/2 - 3/4 a mile behind the lead opening are all busy, working, I have been out here for about 6 weeks and I am starting to feel very comfortable with my new twilight zone surroundings.

I walk up to that edge and stick the tips of my bunny boots over the edge a couple of inches. I have a camera strap around my neck, Mamiya RB on my chest, I stand a little taller and place my hands /arms behind my back and straighten up just a little bit TALLER, as if to say,, hey this is so kewl, LOOK AT ME! HA HA HA HA .. I never saw it.. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. That glass - like water never moved as much as a ripple not the slightest. PERFECTLLY STILL GLASS, and then right in front of me was a huge black hole, My leg could have easily have fit inside that hole, a huge bowling ball could fit in, with room to spare (no pun intended). WHOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHHHH! HE blew his blowhole.. ALL OVER ME. OMG... Oh my ever loving sense of smell is forever ruined. what is that facking stink ? whew.. I am soaking wet all over. A huge blast of STINNKING FOUL SMELLING... putrified stink, barf! I am dripping wet, soaked, cold and running back toward the camp area and I got a long way to go.. oh my goodness... I can't even breathe, this stink is everywhere.. my face is wet, all of me is wet. Like a huge firehose was opened on me and tons of water blasted me WHEW WHAT A STINK...as I approach the tent area of our camp two women are working outside of the tent.. as they look up to see me COVERED in ice. they burst into laughter.. It wasn't hard or difficult for these professionals to figure out what had happened just by looking at me.. GET AWAY... STAY BACK.. NO! you can't come in here.. and they fell down laughing in an uncontrollablel hard laugh. I tried to give them the camera to take a pic.. they would not come near me..I HAD TO WAIT.. while they melted snow, and made warm water for me to wash this off.. It was a long time before I was cleaned up enough to even begin to smile..I want to know... whose idea that was ? I want to know!.. WHO laughed the HARDEST... !

Jonah had his story ,it is written in a book called the bible.

I have my true story about a whale, and it has been posted on this and many other web sites.

[Majik Imaje]

Now the REAL WORK begins, no one sleeps, there is just too much to dol.

http://majikimaje.com/FLAG05.jpg


Each successfull camp sets up a flag to show or mark the crew or spot where the whale will be hauled up using people power to drag that huge animal out of the water and on to the ice.


http://majikimaje.com/HOLD_ROPE.jpg

This is a 48 foot whale we got here folks.. A TON PER FOOT, the ice kept breaking everytime we thought we had it up. This is very dangerous work. Hundreds of people pulling with everything they got. I got no time to take any photographs, each and every body is needed. BUT .. I sneak out of line, each and every time I am "ALLOWED".

http://majikimaje.com/35f.JPG


17 GRUELING HOURS.. whew.. now, the Real work begins. Everything is eaten on that whale ecept the bones, and the baleen.

A bowhead whale uses the fine hairs on the many hundreds of rows of balleen that are inside the mouth to sift the plankton from the ocean water.


http://majikimaje.com/Bal.jpg


Needles to say, thie is a very time consuming task at hiand. and sometimes days are spent cutting up and distributing the shares, and packing it up to take back to the village.
Even though we are only 5 miles out on the ocean ice pack. That five mile journey can take 3-4 hours depending on conditions of the ice. So once you get a ride out here.. This is where you stay, if your going back to town.. that is where you stay! This is no commercial highway of quick easy access out here. Hundreds of people had to chop a way through the ice, then each crew has to blaze a trail to their own camp site. The Umialaq is in charge of his crew (The whaling captain) That crew ( 8 hunters are his domain). The Umaliaq is in charge of the ICE.. she tells the captain where to set up his boat.
She owns the ice. this is her domain. SHE IS BOSS OVER ALL.


http://majikimaje.com/FLAG06.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

It takes a long time to cut up a whale properly and pack it up dividing it up in shares for all the people of the village.

Transporting it all back to town is a major effort. People don't just ride straight back to town but travel in groups always circling making sure that no one is left behind and that everyone gets off that ice pack safely.

Everyone watches everyone's back so to speak. anything can happen out here and many times does,

One time we were down at the lead openiing and someone came running up to us in a panic saying.. we are not on the ice. I looked under my feet and was wondering what this boy was saying.. the ice broke a mile in back of us!

Major panic took place. We have to get out of here quick! We have the umiaq with us to transport equipment first and people second,

http://majikimaje.com/Muktuk.jpg


Everything is cleaned off that whale, nothing is wasted. The head bone or skull goes back into the ocean so a new whale can grow. Much rejoicing and cheering erupts over this event.

http://majikimaje.com/Skull.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/FOODa.jpg


DANGER WARNING: Polar bears are not cuddly cute animals, They are ferocious predators, that are dangerous and very unpredictable
http://majikimaje.com/pbfp.jpg


Back in the 1970's it was legal for the white man to hunt the polar bear. A permit was issued that was good for one day only. The cost of that permit was 10,000. This had to be stopped due to hunters shooting the bears from the air in chartered airplanes.


http://majikimaje.com/TRACKS.jpg


Hunting a polar bear is very dangerous, that bear is very cunning and can hide easily. When out on the ocean ice pack a polar bear will sit down at a water hole waiting for a seal to surface. That bear will place his paws over his nose and eyes to hide. Once that seal surfaces, one swipe and it is all over. .. 'burp!

ALL BEARS: are left handed! There is only ONE PLACE to shoot a polar bear that will kill him.. you MUST SHOOT HIM in the ear!

Polar bear meat is the most delicious meat I have ever tasted. It is jet black and grainny like old grarled wood. but sweet, tender and better than the best prime rib I have ever tasted.

http://majikimaje.com/2BEARS.JPG








" jj " RUSSELL LANE Proudly displays his first polar bear. 9' 6" - that skin is worth 15,000. but it is against the law to sell it iin one piece.

http://majikimaje.com/JJ.JPG

The hunter prepares the animal for transport. Openinig up a polar bear is very dangerous. Even though that bear is dead. stone cold dead, that bear can still kill the hunter if he is not careful.

The inside of a polar bear is very toxic.. .. TOO MUCH VITAMIN "A" !

ANY of that juice touches your skin and your dead! the liver must be carefully cut out and the tubes tied, the liver is then burned and destroyed so that no other animal will eat it and die.

the hunters wife will gather some friends and it takes many women and many hours of hard work to clean that skin using an ulu knife and scraping that skin until it is clean, soft, white as snow!

http://majikimaje.com/nt.jpg


Dec 1990 CHarles Stalker Jr. III saw a polar bear, in Point Lay going after his pregnant girl-friend. He distracted the bear, but was only armed with a knife. One swipe of that bears left paw cut him in half. Charles was my electrical apprentice. We were very close friends.

Allan Rock was attacked by a Polar Bear out on the ocean ice, Allan was only armed with a knife also. Allan lived to tell his story! That bear died!

[Focus Pocus]

I wish I could see these images! They sound wonderful! All I see right now are red x's. I think that the dgrinners have pushed your site past the bandwidth limit. I'll check back later.

Thanks!
Richard

[DucCat]

I am seeing red X's:cry I am planning a trip to the Artic next year to see the polar bears and walrus' so I wanted to see your pictures.

[wxwax]

I wish I could see these images! They sound wonderful! All I see right now are red x's. I think that the dgrinners have pushed your site past the bandwidth limit. I'll check back later.

Thanks!
Richard
Good guess. The photos have disappeared. Pity, what a great thread!

[W.W. Webster]

The photos have disappeared. Pity, what a great thread!I can never understand why posters unlink the images from their posts. And in less than a week? :dunno

I would also like to see these! How about it? :wink

[Majik Imaje]

10,000 hits per day pushed my bandwidth right over the limit. All images will magically appear back on the first of the month and I will post more images.

And tell you somre more spectacular stories of life in the Arctic.!!

Until then.. stay tuned for some incredible photos !

[wxwax]

10,000 hits per day pushed my bandwidth right over the limit. All images will magically appear back on the first of the month and I will post more images.

And tell you somre more spectacular stories of life in the Arctic.!!

Until then.. stay tuned for some incredible photos !

:thumb

Thanks, Majik!

[Art Scott]

Waiting, waitng, waiting.....with extreme anticipation of some really fantastice photo masterpeices......and stories to accompany them :bow

[Majik Imaje]

If per-chance you see a red X

then just right click on it and choose SHOW PICTURE

enjoy.. and I will continue where I left off, as soon as I figure out where.

[Majik Imaje]

DucCat ? Where in Alaska do you plan to see polar bears ? The zoo ?

Walrus yes, that is possible, but I don't see how you can view something this dangerous, people have the wrong idea of what a polar bear is.

When they come into town.. Many times, we have no choice but to take them down quickly.

Recently a mother with 3 cubs entered town, they were safely guided back out to the ocean ice.


This was accomplished by hunters staying behind them and preventing them from turning in any direction.

Prudhoe bay Alaska in a 'break room' at one of the construction camps, a polar bear was seen outside the camp windows, some construction worker slapped the window with a newspaper,, that bear took out the window and climbed in..

Unless your in a plane, or an amored tank, I doubt you can view a polar bear safely, it has been done, it can be done, but it is a very dangerous animal that can easily smell you from miles away.

Good luck I hope to see your images !:dunno

[wxwax]

If per-chance you see a red X

then just right click on it and choose SHOW PICTURE

enjoy.. and I will continue where I left off, as soon as I figure out where.
:clap Excellent!

[digismile]

For Polar Bears, you need to go to some place like Churchill. Read this month's issue of Outdoor Photographer about Canada's far north. Might be something you're looking for!

I am seeing red X's:cry I am planning a trip to the Artic next year to see the polar bears and walrus' so I wanted to see your pictures.

[Majik Imaje]

A polar bear skin, that person is J J Russell Lane. This year 28th of April J. J. caught his very first whale and the first for the village this year. CongratZ JJ.. 36 foot whale. I am not down on the ice, I can't make that trip, but here is what is presently going on in town May 1st 07

It took 3 1/2 days to cut up J J's whale, shares are divided up according to which umiaq reaches the whale first after the Captain has killed it.

Michael Tuzroyluk (first year whaling captain) was the first and only umiaq to reach that whale. all the other crews were too far north to reach the location.

JJ does not receive any shares of his FIRST WHALE. Those shares go to the elders of the village.

the rest of the crews.. (in this case Michaels only) chip in a portion of thier shares to the other crews and to JJ.

His next whale he will keep HIS shares.

http://majikimaje.com/blubber.jpg

JJ and his crew and Michael and his crew,, towed 36 tons... for many miles to get back to camp.!!

Paddling an Inpuiat umiaq is an excercise in extreme torture. YOu cannot miss a stroke, you cannot or MUST NOT splash water on the person behind you, keep doing it and he will throw you out of the umiaq.

Your arms become NUMB and the pain is beyond description.

My first whale hunt 17 crews were tied together, and for 9 miles they sang and sang as they towed this massive beast through the water backwards

Sadlly those images are lost. so many of my images have been stolen or lost through moving throughout the state, but I STILL HAVE HUNDREDS and hundreds more to show.

http://majikimaje.com/images/CLARA01.JPG

STORY TIME last sunday.. the crews down on the ice had to evacuate twice during the past three weeks due to south wind.

Upon returning to the ice, Robert Kingik was using Luke Koonuks snowmachine with ten foot sled. Erin Taylor was on the back of the sled. He is 11 years old. Robert is about 27 years stupid.

It was hard to see the existing trail in the ice because the skies are overcast and the new north wind brought snow and covered some of the tracks and the ocean was "slush".. Robert never saw the edge of the ice,

He drove the machine right into the ocean. When 11 year old Erin saw the machine go "down" he quickly rolled off the sled onto the ice. The snowmachine and the sled disappeared instantly into the slush. Robert was trying to tread water and reach the ice and went down, he came back up and yelled, Erin, i know I am going to die today, "down down' , he popped back up and said.. "see you in heaven or in hell " and
went down.. Erin stuck his whole arm into the slush and grabbed Robert by the hair! Somehow this 11 year old superstar hero managed to get Robert back on the ocean ice. INSTANTLY the next thing is to cut off all his clothes, every stitch of clothing must be CUT OFF as quickly as possible without injuring the person or indivduals involved. 100% naked standing on ice @ 30 below soaking wet.

Then the person can start to dress the naked person by removing his clothing and get this person dried, dressed and new clothing at the nearest tent location.

Erin was the only person around, he removed his hat and quickly Rubbed robert down to get all the water /ice slush off him. then Robert wears the hat, and Erin takes off his outerwear, Parky and skipants for Robert to use and they run, 3/4 a mile back to where Robert missed a turn in the trail.

Wait a minute.. ... uses a hat to get water and wet slush off a person? Isn't the hat wet now ? nope dry as can be, Certain furs, hold water, and certain furs repel water, Wolverine & Beaver cannot become wet, just shake it and all the water is gone, fur is dry, wolf fur is not for hunting, it will keep your face wet and cold, same with fox and many other furs, they are only used for Fancy parky's only.

Needless to say. The whaling captain was furious over loosing his new $12,000 dollar snowmachine & sled. This loss will place incredible strain on the captain for accomplising all his tasks to maintain the crew of 12 - 15 people he supports all day every day for 2 months!!
Luke Koonuk is an Episcopal Minishter here in town.!

http://majikimaje.com/flowers.jpg


Just a brief commercial of sorts.. ROFLMAO.. these images are actual models I have made and have learned how to animate in a program called 3D Studio Max.

Tigluk is about to go hunting.. .. but he is not, where he thought he was.

http://majikimaje.com/Hunting.zip

The Lone drummer is sitting, thinking, about the good ol days, when people sang and danced, then he hears a sound and wakes up, is he dreaming ?

http://majikimaje.com/ld03.zip

http://majikimaje.com/LD_SIGNS.JPG




http://majikimaje.com/moon.jpg

My latest creation is Tyrek.


http://majikimaje.com/Tyrek.jpg

He is all "rigged" and ready to animate, Only problem is I need a much faster computer with lots more memory. I am currently using a 1.4 gz w. 1.5 gig of ddram this is not capable of what I need to animate the bones and fur and cloth.

I make outrageous money from these images of whaling, and my passion has now turned to 3d character animation.

http://majikimaje.com/fdesk.jpg


I haven't used a camera in over a decade for all practical purposes, a pic here and there, but exposing hundreds of rolls of film or getting down to the ocean ice again, I dunno.. Oh yeah this is the DIGITAL AGE right ? ha ha ha ha. GO AHEAD.. take a digital camera down to that ocean ice, watch what happens. My camera(s) were encased in ice. There is no place to go to warm it up, the tents.. no you can't do that. Going from 50 below to 75 above that fast.. ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? If you walk into that tent with a camera, that camera is going to "sweat" and become soaking wet all over.

Now you can't go outside with that, until it is bone dry and you cannot possibly dry the inside of that camera. Go outside and it turns into ice in no time.. less than 30 seconds.

40 below zero with 50 mph winds is something you don't ever want to feel, it hurts. I see first hand how these people suffer at times, but this is 'our world" and that is part of living outside and LEARNING HOW TO KEEP WARM, what to eat, what not to eat and when to eat certain foods.

People are dancing all over the ice, and fresh maktak (muk tuk) is being passed around to every household by JJ's family members and crew.

There is no way a digital camera could take the punishment of being out there, Oh sure an image here and there, but it won't last, those betteries will die in minutes out there in that vicious cold.

Exposed skin @ 70 below will FREEZE in less than 30 seconds,

the absolute worst I have ever seen and experienced was 89 below zero with 120 mile an hour winds.

people were out walking and doing normal things sorta, you had to walk backwards.. or at 45 degree angle to 'charge into the wind."

Take a stryofoam cup of hot coffee and quickly go outside @ 60 below throw the coffee into the air and hold the cup.. you will hear a loud SNAP as the coffee freezes and dissapates and disappears


http://majikimaje.com/Kezia.jpg

above image taken w/ SONY 4 mega pixel = 13" x 19" with razor sharpness

I am quite impressed at this photo my youngest son took when he was 15 of his sister -=[Keziah]=- Age 5



NOW.. THAT A WHALE HAS BEEN CAUGHT.. NEXT IS WHALING FESTIVAL


http://majikimaje.com/images/BOYSINBAND.jpg
coming soon.!

[evoryware]

This is truly a great thread.
I could never venture into that cold weather. I prefer to report from the equator! :)

[Majik Imaje]

is always held in June for 3 days. The captain who first catches a whale (J.J. Russell ) picks the date of this event. Vistors from all over the world and from all over Alaska come to this non-stop event.

3 days of food, fun, games, blanket toss and more.

BE CAREFUL, of what you eat! some of this food can kill you! If you have had any sugar that day!
http://majikimaje.com/eos.jpg


Elizabeth Oviok is handing out "mikiak" fermented whale meat. NO THANKS, I will pass on this. If you have had any sugar that day, soda pop, or fruit. YOU CANNOT EAT THIS.. .. .. .. .. it WILL kill you, and you will die from botulisim !! to me.. that is not food. I have a two day old slice of pizza fermenting between two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches .. i am playing it safe..

This fermented whale meat, er,, um.. when it goes into your stomach, it "boils" releasing toxic gases, if you have had any sugar, that boiling will harden over and the gas cannot escape and botulisim sets in.

http://majikimaje.com/FAMILY02.jpg

A proud mother displays her skill and handiwork. Every one gets new dress parkys at whaling festival. All parky's are hand made, the fancy trim at the bottom are called (coo pucks) kupaks. All original hand designed and hand sewn into the edge of the parky's. In days of old, the mother had to make all new clothing for the entire family, before she was allowed to sleep.

http://majikimaje.com/AAPANAAKA.jpg


Whaling festival starts with the cutting of the flippers. The successful captains boats are honored. in a different area with flags.


http://majikimaje.com/flag04.jpg




http://majikimaje.com/FLIPPERS03.jpg

It takes much work and many people to cut the flippers and to constantly keep sharpening the knives.

http://majikimaje.com/FLIPPERS02.jpg


Patrick Attanguana is showing Captain Ernie Frankson how to divide the flippers correctly. Patrick lost his brother Henry in 1989, from Botulisism, he forgot he had some candy earlier in the day!

FLIPPERS ARE SAFE: but I am a junk food junkie.. M&M's is my perfered snack of the day!... with peanuts!

http://majikimaje.com/FLIPPERS01.jpg

Each successful captain will hand out the flippers and call the "family" name to receive their gift and portion.

I am glad they never called my name! whew!

http://majikimaje.com/FLIPPERS1.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/FLIPPERS05.jpg

Baleen his handed out to certain visitors and relatives and guests.

http://majikimaje.com/GREEN.jpg


Blanket toss is coming next.. you won't believe what this is reallly all about!!!

[Majik Imaje]

Was originally used down at the lead opening long time ago. The hunters would throw a hunter into the air, to see if whales were coming.

Today it is "different" anyone may get on the blanket for a "ride". Anything can happen and usually does in this event. You better know what your doing or you can get hurt badly.
Sometimes.. Gravity takes over.. oooppss!!

http://majikimaje.com/Oops.jpg


Now a days. Blanket toss is to determine the future. "What will next year be like ?"

This is the question and this is how it is answered. ROFLMAO !!!

DO YOU THINK ... NFL FOOTBALL is tough ? ha ha ha NOPE no way!

NFL football has RULES... Blanket toss has NO RULES.... NO REFEREES..

anything goes... and it does, and people get hurt!...but all in fun! ha !

http://majikimaje.com/TOSS012.JPG



Anyone may take a ride, and if it is windy. and that person goes high in the air.. everyone has to run like hell to catch that person. I have seen people thrown as high as over the tops of telephone poles. and the wind would blow that person 40 feet away.. everyone running like hell.

but the woman who has had a FIRST BORN SON.. gets on that blanket with a bag or handfulls of candy or furs,money or candy or whatever, when she is thrown into the air, she legs go of all of that.. and all the children run for it.. IF ANY CHILD.. GETS THEIR HANDS ON ANYTHING.. it is going to be a bad year next year...!

It is the job and sworn duty of the oldest women in the village to grab it all .. PREVENT THAT CHILD FROM PICKING ANYTHING UP!

Once the child has it, it is theirs to keep. nothing can be done. But these 80 year old women 90 year old women, fraile, fragile, old, worn, suddenly come to life in unique style you won't ever see anyplace! DIVING HEAD FIRST into the gravel to block, tackle and prevent these children from grabbing anything.. to be truthfull,, I was laughing in total hysteria, it was impossible for me to even get my camera steady and capture any of this because it all happens so fast and in so many diffeent directions as once.

How these old ladies survive head butts and crashing into the gravel diving and grabbing these children with NO MERCY.. grab one by the hair and toss him / her over her shoulder to block the next child. NO RULES.. these women take this very seriously.!!!

http://majikimaje.com/SABRINA01.jpg


Sabriina Tuzroyluk (Bena) soars high into the air and displays award winning form.


:barb

[Majik Imaje]

Traveling to the old town site with Rosella (tribal doctor) we came along this trap that a Snowowl had accidently stepped into.

These traps are for foxes (the four legged type).

Rosella is laughing as she picks up a big log and WHOMP.. you come to my house for supper tonight she said.. Eskimo Chicken is good !

She bursts into uncontrollable laughter when she sees the expression on my face.!!
http://majikimaje.com/OWL.JPG

[wxwax]

Magic, Majik.

A completely different way of life that you'e allowing us to share with you.

[Majik Imaje]

none of that is here. I like that. We work at home, the Post Office is right outside the house to our left just a stones throw away, and the store is about a foot ball field away, if that. We hunt in vast open areas the size of New England ! all that area, empty ! .. .. animals & food of all types, berries or many types, salmon berries, blueberries, cranberries, and other types of which I am not familiar.. yet. photos of berries are in July / August.
coming soon !

http://majikimaje.com/reflection.JPG

Our way of life is being threatened, people in other parts of the world do not want us to hunt, they do not realize we have no supermarkets and the price of food in the small native store just incredibly expensive, due to the high cost of freight.

I once bought some food in Anchorage to ship up to a whaling captain. $300 worth of food cost 400 dollars to ship up to the village. It would have been much more expensive had there been food(s) that needed refrigeration or to be kept frozen!

THE OCEAN: is our main source of food. At the present moment, the oil companies want to drill off shore for much needed oil for the energy that the country and the world consumes,

They have a huge ship 60 miles off shore performing seismic testing of the ocean floor, SONIC PULSES into the earth that no doubt these animals can hear, and thus avoid the ususal route(s).

The Oil companies held a closed meeting with the whaling captains only,:deal no one was allowed in the Qaligi meeting center. hmmm !! Everyone out was the announcement half -way through the town meeting.. !:scratch


http://majikimaje.com/2ct01.JPG


If you "google" -- Project Chariot -- You will find out about the governments intent to nuke Cape Thojmpson (image above) which is located some 23 miles south of the village of Point Hope. They had no intentions of notifing the people of the village, ONE MAN put a stop the whole thing, Howard Rock ! Then the Government buried all the nuclear waste in the middle of their hunting grounds in several places.

ALL THE ELDERS are gone, very few are left in the village, All my closest friends that are in these images, gone ! dying too fast, too young, all from cancer !

Now we are told we cannot hunt @ Cape Thompson because we cannot prove that we have used this land for the past 3,000 years,! GO FIGURE !

It is the only land visible from the village. where else would you hunt ?

We cannot PROVE ! WowoW ! The Government will stoop to any low excuse for intelligence reasoning !

How is this for an double sided "oxymoron" Military Intelligence :

Take an Eskimo out of the frozen Arctic and place him smack dab in the middle of the jungles in Vietnam !

http://majikimaje.com/PETE.jpg


My good friend, Pete Lisborne, The government kicked his whole family out of Cape Lisborne to mow down their homes for an air strip for an early warning system. l Nice Nice !

Pete has worked with me as an apprentice electrican many times in the past. He wants to go back to the Old ways. Pete still lives in the old town site that has been abandoned.

Pete makes a good lving out of walking the beaches, looking for atrifacts and other such treasures, He often comes to use to purchase his fossililzed pieces that he finds.

Lets go to Cape Thompson.. we go here to get eggs, ! Giant Eggs the size of a good size pear ! Blue with spots on the outside, but just like the type of egg your used to eating.

The only catch ? we have to climb 600 feet into the cliffs of Cape Thompson to get them, and the birds fight back !

http://majikimaje.com/eggs3.jpg

They say that when you start to climb, if you feel dizzy, then suck an egg ! are you afraid.. suck another egg ! Don't look down, keep climbing !

It is still very cold outside, eggs are placed inside the parky and carried very carefully of course.

http://majikimaje.com/eggs.jpg

Believe it or not, .. well you just won't believe how good these taste ! One eggs = 2 good size omlets ! Eskimo style !


http://majikimaje.com/eggs2.jpg


Imagine that, for thousands of years, the iNUPIAT PEOPLE have lived and hunted in this fashion, without ever depleating any of the resources!

http://majikimaje.com/eggs4.jpg


Well ya know.. this is so nice and peaceful.. lets just stay a while. a few days or so.. !

OH yeah.. the eggs !

http://majikimaje.com/eggz.jpg

Now these are "fresh' eggs !

[Majik Imaje]

This is a recent photo of the Whalel Bone Graveyard in Point Hope, it is world famous as it is the only whale bone graveyard in the entire world.

when this snow melts next month (end of june) I will post a new image to show how many grave markers are under that snow. Over 150 people I knew oh so closely like family are buried in there. sob !

It is just the most bizarre feeling to walk in here and read so many names of people you knew and loved so much!

http://majikimaje.com/wbgy.jpg

I have no idea why ? I am still alive, so much death here in this tiny village.

some how, some way, I have survived 5 heart attacks and 3 strokes.

2003 July was when I had my last stroke, I lost 85% of my eyesight. 9 months later I had it all back, whew ! There must be something I have to do yet, that i haven't done.

[aktse]

Just magically. Just Amazing...

[Majik Imaje]

Cooking @ whaling festival for 1000 people is a massive undertaking for these women all day long! work work work work work .. !

http://majikimaje.com/ADD/COOKING.JPG

This non-stop 3 day event is filled with fun, food, games, blanket toos and so much food you wonder how these women can keep track of all the food to feed over 1000 people!



http://majikimaje.com/ADD/COOKING_5.JPG


One of the beautiful things about the Arctic.. no bugs! Here in Alaska the State Bird is the mosquito! We have the wind to keep them away.
They sure grow huge up here with a wing span of over two inches!

http://majikimaje.com/ADD/COOKING_SITE.JPG

But it is always windy here in the Arctic, so nothing can "bug" you. (pun intended)

http://majikimaje.com/ADD/FESTIVAL02.JPG
These are all the different parts of the whale that will be passed out to everyone at the festival, be careful lthis food is flammable.. yes flammable fat.

http://majikimaje.com/ADD/FESTIVAL 05.JPG

Salmon is abundant here. huge salmon fish over 4 feet in length, every family has 100's of pounds of salmon in the freezer and dried & smoked.




http://majikimaje.com/ADD/FISHS.JPG

Everyone enjoys the day, Brand new dress Parky's are everywhere in the village today. This is joyus occasion one each year, if we are successful in receiving a whale.


http://majikimaje.com/ADD/LILBOY03.JPG

Children love to sit on top of the whale bones of captains markers of years long ago make this sacred festival location.

http://majikimaje.com/ADD/NAMECALLING.JPG

Eskimo dance and drums are about to begin !!!!!

http://majikimaje.com/ADD/DRUMS.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Dancing: Informal Inupiaq Eskimo dance


http://majikimaje.com/Dance/Luke.wmv (http://majikimaje.com/Dance/Luke.wmv)


http://majikimaje.com/Dance/Henry.wmv (http://majikimaje.com/Dance/Henry.wmv)


http://majikimaje.com/Dance/Irma.wmv (http://majikimaje.com/Dance/Irma.wmv)


http://majikimaje.com/Dance/TheEnd.wmv (http://majikimaje.com/Dance/TheEnd.wmv)

ENJOY

[Majik Imaje]

Flying to the "top of the world". That is the name of one of the hotels in Barrow Alaska.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/wellcome2barrow.jpg

farthest northern most city. - Barrow - Ukpeagvik - Land of the snowowl.

We left Point Hope on August 7th. One of my sons and I flew up here to see if it was possible to move up here. This was a scary move for us. I left 3 sons at home and flew up. We landed safe and sound, flat broke. We do not know anyone per say here in Barrow. There is a housing shortage, in all villages, but we are determined to make this move and some how move the other boys up here. Jobs are available for most everytype job description.

Work is plentiful, but we are not interested in jobs of any sort.

PC help desk job for the college pays over $30.00 per / hr. Wow !!

5,000 people live in this very old village that has made the transistion in to a modern type enviorment.

The sunset of our first night here was spectacular as are all in all of ALASKA. Midnight in Barrow..

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sunset.jpg

As you can easily see, the sun is still high in the sky... here in the Arctic @ midnight. We truely have the best summers. Play out all night long, and as long as you stay in the sunlight you can go for days on end with no sleep.

[jdmphoto]

wow! fantastic pictures and a very well told story.:thumb

[pantherlax]

Amazing! Way too cool. I think I wanna go up there for a couple months in the summer when i get older. None stop fun during the summer :barblol.

Whats the most industrialized/modern city?

[Majik Imaje]

The name of those cities would be .............

Anchorage

Fairbanks

Juneau


I have lived in Alaska for over 30 years now. I have been from one end of this state to the top of the world (Barrow) 1/2 dozen times or more.. and in all of this vast state. The Arctic is the best of it all !

Thanks again for all of your wonderful comments and I have hundreds more recent photos of the Arctic (Barrow) to share and Post on this great photography forum !!!
Thanks again !!:clap

[Majik Imaje]

Barrow is a whaling village as are most of the coastal village in Alaska above the arctic circle all with the exception of Pt Lay.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/hospic.jpg

A photo of a large painting inside the hospital here in Barrow.

Harvesting a whale... the main source of food for the Inupiat peoples !!

A sign, outside the personal department of the North Slope Borough.

There is one village on this map, that is missing, south of Point Hope

150 miles is the village of Kivalina, on the coast, a whaling village.

Is also a part of the Nana region.

But the main focus is the North Slope Borough area,

This thread will grow to include photos from all of these villages

The people, their lifestyle / culture.. "Arts & Crafts" and the ancient

skills involved in the daily activity of North America's OLDEST people(s).

So little is known of this vast area.. OIL... is abundant in prudhoe bay.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/NSB.jpg

The residents of the North Slope Borough are all shareholders in Native corporations and thus receive dividends that the corporations pay out to the shareholders.

Almost all villages in Alaska were founded by the peoples of Point Hope.

The History of these area is ripe for Photo Expeditions, Tourisim, Beach combing which can be extremly rewarding financially !!!

(more to come soon)

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/welcome.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Thanks so much for all your interest in my images that have been created here in the Arctic.

I have lots more to share about so many different subjects of life here in the Arctic.

[JenGrace]

Like everyone else, I'd like the thank you for sharing the life you've lived for so many years now. It's so incredible! I recently gave a seminar at work about how yankee and European whalers affected the lives of the Inuit and the population of once plentiful whales. It's a true shame that what happened all those years ago still echoes into this day and age and is threatening an entire culture's livelihood. Thanks again for sharing your amazing story and photos.

[Frog Lady]

I just found this thread - facinating story and pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

C.

[gefillmore]

just another person fascinated with your photos and the way of life there-

thanks so much for sharing all of this-

[indulgentsoul]

A great thread and a fantastic story.
You work is splendid and also the awareness you are spreading regarding the region and the people.
Pls keep providing more snaps and stories...highly interesting and informative.
And I hope the people are able to hunt normally and the corporations dont take over their homes and hunting grounds.

[Majik Imaje]

There is often a misconception of "who" these people(s) are, and are often mis-identified in writings and in many stories.

Inuit people & Inupiaq people are two different AREAS of people.

Inuit peoples are: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway & Russia.

Inupiaq are: ALASKA

Important meetings are held by these people, usually in Barrow during the Circumpolar Conference.

Point Hope is the oldest of all of these villages or peoples. Most villages are founded and established by the peoples of Point Hope. Greenland was founded by the same. The language has many distinct words that are the same in each of the lands even through seperated by thousands of miles. These nomadic peoples spread out throughout the entire world, North South East & West.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/circumpolar.jpg


LIfe at the top of the world is exciting and completly different from anything you have ever experienced.

Dec. is by far the worst month of the year.. .. (for LIGHT).

Here is an image created at 30 below zero at Eleven A.M. in the morning!

Almost noon.. .. .. ? !
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/home.jpg

The sun goes below the horizon in November 17th, and it will NOT COME BACK ABOVE the HORIZON. until Jan. 23rd. When the sun finally does come above the horizon in Jan (end) it will set just 1 1/2 hours later.. Up and back down. .but. we start to gain.. minutes every day, until May, then we will not see darkness until the end of August ! Our summers are the greatest in the world.. 24 hour sunlight for many months.

Even though the winter is tough and very little light.. we do have some daylight or dusk like conditions for a few hours each day.

I like the long dark cold winters. Snug and warm in our nice home.
Nothing like the smell of a burning woodstove and the smell of fresh baked bread.

Indulgentsoul: The CORPORATIONS: will never take anything from the Inupiaq peoples, The Oil companies however are completly without conscience in the matters of this land.

As we speak, type, read, A huge Oil tanker is 60 miles off the coast of Point Hope, preparing to drill for OIL. They are in a holding process as their right to drill here is causing major problems for the animals of the region, namely walrus & bowhead whales. This is a very dangerous undertaking, one accident will ruin the whole enviorment. HOW DO you clean OCEAN ICE that is saturated with an oil spill ? An accident of this sort will wipe this peoples way of life, destroy the sensitive ecological make up of this fragile region.

The sonic sounding of the ocean floor is causing major migration shifts in the walrus pattern. Last year no walrus' were harvested by very few hunters in the ENTIRE NORTH SLOPE REGION. This year they are all showing up on the Russian side of the Chukchi Sea.

(more to follow)

[javierplumey]

I just spent an hour with this wonderful thread. Thank you so much for opening our eyes to another way of life.

[pankajasundi]

i was up last night with my daughter, who was ill and browsed to this thread, what a amazing set of pictures and documentation of life in these regions. Please keep the stories coming.




There is often a misconception of "who" these people(s) are, and are often mis-identified in writings and in many stories.

Inuit people & Inupiaq people are two different AREAS of people.

Inuit peoples are: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway & Russia.

Inupiaq are: ALASKA

Important meetings are held by these people, usually in Barrow during the Circumpolar Conference.

Point Hope is the oldest of all of these villages or peoples. Most villages are founded and established by the peoples of Point Hope. Greenland was founded by the same. The language has many distinct words that are the same in each of the lands even through seperated by thousands of miles. These nomadic peoples spread out throughout the entire world, North South East & West.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/circumpolar.jpg


LIfe at the top of the world is exciting and completly different from anything you have ever experienced.

Dec. is by far the worst month of the year.. .. (for LIGHT).

Here is an image created at 30 below zero at Eleven A.M. in the morning!

Almost noon.. .. .. ? !
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/home.jpg

The sun goes below the horizon in November 17th, and it will NOT COME BACK ABOVE the HORIZON. until Jan. 23rd. When the sun finally does come above the horizon in Jan (end) it will set just 1 1/2 hours later.. Up and back down. .but. we start to gain.. minutes every day, until May, then we will not see darkness until the end of August ! Our summers are the greatest in the world.. 24 hour sunlight for many months.

Even though the winter is tough and very little light.. we do have some daylight or dusk like conditions for a few hours each day.

I like the long dark cold winters. Snug and warm in our nice home.
Nothing like the smell of a burning woodstove and the smell of fresh baked bread.

Indulgentsoul: The CORPORATIONS: will never take anything from the Inupiaq peoples, The Oil companies however are completly without conscience in the matters of this land.

As we speak, type, read, A huge Oil tanker is 60 miles off the coast of Point Hope, preparing to drill for OIL. They are in a holding process as their right to drill here is causing major problems for the animals of the region, namely walrus & bowhead whales. This is a very dangerous undertaking, one accident will ruin the whole enviorment. HOW DO you clean OCEAN ICE that is saturated with an oil spill ? An accident of this sort will wipe this peoples way of life, destroy the sensitive ecological make up of this fragile region.

The sonic sounding of the ocean floor is causing major migration shifts in the walrus pattern. Last year no walrus' were harvested by very few hunters in the ENTIRE NORTH SLOPE REGION. This year they are all showing up on the Russian side of the Chukchi Sea.

(more to follow)

[Majik Imaje]

Three "sisters" pose in their fancy festival parky's. Each is home made, the fancy trim at the bottom of the parky are "Kupaks" Koo pucks. Calfskin is used and these designs are carefully, skillfully crafted & hand sewn using a strand of dental floss. they sell.. (just for the design) for approximately $1,500 and up !!!
Left to right these sisters are:

Lillian Lane, (Point Hope)

Julia Lane Kilaak (Barrow)

Emily Lane (Pt. Hope)

http://majikimaje.com/images/the-girls.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

One of my favorite types of photography is capturing people in candid situations. And it seems this short series is in groups of 3.

The month is June, of three different years.

When I saw these girls I was amazed and astounded and shivering. I am wearing ski pants, Eskimo Parky, Hat & gloves. How can these children do this is beyond me. Do they look cold ? nope. why ? I have no idea. As I was speaking to these girls, explaining what I wanted them to do, I stepped into the image too far, too close to them, I had them directly centered in the viewfinder of my RB67. My footprint can be seen on the left side. I took two steps backward to recompose and shift them slightly off center. THEN this dog appeared, His expression is priceless as he seems to have understood everyword I spoke to these children and he wanted to be part of this composition .. .. -=[click]=-

http://majikimaje.com/3GIRLSDOGs.JPG


Again the month of June during whaling festival, These girls are very cold, well their hands are cold, that is why they are all hidden inside of the parky!

http://majikimaje.com/3GIRLSs.JPG

Children fascinate me, I just enjoy so much capturing them on film and digital media. Their expressions are so precious..


http://majikimaje.com/3kids.jpg


Their imaginations are priceless.. ..

[Alcan Rider]

Fascinating photos - you've captured the people extremely well. :thumb
It's been over 25 years since I was in Point Hope, and the village was still in the process of moving from the old location (farther north) to the present location, with a few families in each place.
Just wondering - is Henry Nushookpuk (not positive of the spelling) still alive? When there, I spent quite a bit of time with him. He has some interesting stories to tell of hunting for food, and killing game to provide it.
Life there is far different from most people in the rest of the U.S. can even imagine, wouldn't you say?
Keep up the good work.

[Majik Imaje]

Alcan Rider: The village was moved in the Seventies, and it was moved exactly 2.2 miles EAST. It is now situated on what once was ol grave sites.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/Pt.-Hope.jpg

The elders at the time of the move wanted the village moved much further away from this area. But the younger people who made the decisions did not want to leave the immediate area of the old town site which many people visit frequently.

Pete Lisbourne has fixed up his familes home at the ol town site and he resides there during the summer and at times during the winter also.
http://majikimaje.com/PETE.jpg
Pete longs for and wants to return to the old ways. But in today's rapidly changing world, this is impossible.

Henry Nashookpuk died in 2003 of cancer, His beloved wife Emma. Passed on in 1999 from the same disease that has taken all of the elders in this village.

Cancer runs rampant through Point Hope, due to the radioactive waste that was spread all over the area through "Project Chariot".

Not only does the government refuse to admit the truth and compensate these people. they purposely spread it around the area and witness' that are still alive, to this day recount what was done and the many areas that the material was buried without any markers.

Much of the caribou in different areas have been infected. Some hunters report that when they skin an animal. instead of seeing red meat, it is black with oil sheen like texture and the animal must be burned and buried to prevent other animals in the region from becoming contaminated.

Liechen is the main diet of Caribou and this unique plant does not have the ability to disperse the deadly radioactive elements so there is no half -life. but the plants are eaten by the animals and thus become infected in this manner.

I have lost hundreds of very very close friends, People I became very close to. It is sad to see so many elders perish at such a young age.

Emma Nashookpuk (Henry's wife) had the loudest greatest heartiest laugh of any person I have ever heard. Emma was always a very happy woman and her laughter could be heard from great distances in the village and was something that always brought a huge smile to my face.

[Alcan Rider]

Alcan Rider: The village was moved in the Seventies, and it was moved exactly 2.2 miles EAST. It is now situated on what once was ol grave sites.

Right you are. It just seemed that the old site was north of the present one, as it was farther from the constantly-receding south shoreline of Cape Lisburne.
Henry found the site of a very old, pre-historic site along that shoreline. It is my guess that he showed you the collection of articfacts he managed to salvage from that site before the waves took them from sight. The elders of that village understood the need to preserve the history of their culture. It is a very good thing that you are documenting as much as you are able through your photos. Places like Point Hope are neglected by most media, as there is nothing sensational and seemingly newsworthy about the life there. Things move at a much slower pace than in warmer climates, but they move, nevertheless. Your photos, taken over a period of time, will serve as "time lapse" records of change.
You're doing a great job - keep it up.

[samuel wong]

a good journalism .... nice work ..

[Majik Imaje]

Lets look, from the air and see, up close and personal what is going on up here in this vast huge unexplored & UN-inhabited area for all practical purposes.

Leaving Pt. Hope.. .. bye bye !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/byebyePt.Hope.jpg

A few minutes into the flight we pass the Kupak river..


http://majikimaje.com/barrow/river.jpg


Oh .. I smile BIG as I see and remember what happend to me here. TOTALLY PREPOSTEROUS!

http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=55481

Lets take a trip and explore some of the land here in the Arctic.
some of what I am about to tell you will seem preposterous, but just ask ANY PERSON that lives in any village from
Nome clear up to Barrow, all of the villages of the entire North Slope Region, will tell you that what I am about to TRY AND EXPLAIN is "true". Do I have photos ? not yet, but working on it, there has to be a way to prove this.
with recent giant advances in technology I am sure it will become possible to "catch" & record proof of the Ignaugalurauks.. .. The Little People, that live underground, and in caves here above the Arctic circle.
This is no legend, or folklore, as new sightings are prevelant constantly, each and every year.!!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/mountains.jpg

I will tell you stories and provide photographs of all that "can be seen" in this vast huge expanse of area of several hundred thousand of square miles. THINGS HAPPEN OUT HERE.. .. ... ... that just do not make sense!!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/mountains01.jpg
For instance.. ha ha.. you are NOT GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT I AM ABOUT TO EXPLAIN.. you have to be here to experience
these happenings, no matter what I type, you will be very skeptical and doubtful ONLY because.. you know better, this does not happen where YOU LIVE.

therefore: ??

Lets start.. .. at the beginning so you have a better understanding of what is going on up here.. .. frequently, reports abound.. .. in each and every village!!
This is a vast area we are talking about in square miles.
roughly the size of ALL the New England STATES put together.. .. EMPTY !!
Ok.. nOW A Long TIME before the whaling companies arrived .. .. .. The Ingnakalaurak's LIVED AMONG the people of Point Hope.
One of their young was eaten by a dog.. .. and they moved out of the village. These people are small, 3-4 feet in height!
They live the ol ways, to this very day, dressed in caribou skins. They still hunt with bow & arrow. They live underground, and in caves all throughout this vast area.
They possess super human qualities, that you WILL NEVER BELIEVE:
They are incredibly strong and they can run, incredibly fast.. they sneak around the villages "stealing food".
When any hunter, shoots and kills a caribou, it requires two adult Inupiaq men to lift that caribou to place on a sled. It only takes ONE Ingnakalaurak to pick one up ...........and RUN WITH IT. Over his head (person carrying animal) running, with a dead caribou. ??? Bush Pilots have reported seeing caribou.. moving, quickly, in a horizontal position ???
Well, lets stop right here and let me extend an invitation to you. Anyone, come on up here, talk to the bush pilots.
They will tell you.. what they have seen with their own eyes, but you will not believe them, becuase, YOU KNOW BETTER. even though you have never been up here or heard of this before.
Come on up !! See and experience it for yourself.
HAVE I GOT YOUR ATTENTION NOW ??

good. I have no need to lie or exagerate about any of what goes on up here. I have no problem with the truth however I do have a huge problem with Liars and phoneies. that is why I stay up here in the Arctic.. Heaven on Earth. IMHO.
Luke Koonuk Jr. was recently, out hunting, many miles from Point Hope, Imagine this, you travel hundreds of miles into a vast empty area, Luke's 4 wheel honda was stuck in the mud. He had tried and tried and tried to lift, move or budge it to get it out of the ruts to get free. He was exhausted bent over huffing and puffing, Exausted, bent over,.. .. suddenly out of the corner of his eye he sees,.............His honda rise in the air and come bouncing down on firmer ground and somethibng, a blur, was running away.

When ANY HUNTER IS LOST.. .. .. stuck. .. .. in trouble.. these people appear out of no where to assist and wisk away..Gone in a flash.
TOO MANY people up here have had too many experiences,.. .. !! I could go on and on with stories of what goes on up here and I promise to tell .. all I have experienced during my almost 3 decades of living among the Inupiaq peoples.

Hunters, experienced hunters often talk about caribou that they have shot & killed. Dead. & it disappears before they reach it.
Make no mistake, these people are very good in what they do, they are perhaps the best hunters in the world.
Jump on a 4 wheel honda or a snowmobile, and go 200 miles out into this empty region.....@ 50 below zero and stay out there for weeks... YOu see a caribou and shoot it, it falls down, motionless, they wait and watch. have a smoke. wait and watch. We do not waste time out here, driving. gas is too expensive. well over 5,00 per gallon for years up here.
That caribou is dead, said Joe Oktillik, I got on my machine and drove over those hills,. and ?? where is it? I know this is the spot, there is no blood anyplace, no tracks to the left or the right and no tracks going straight ahead...The last place I looked Joe said.. .. was up ! Caribou is gone, no tracks??????????

This happens a lot up here.

I am not going to waste time here tring to convince anyone. Come on up.. .. go out there.;. and see what happens. I can be your guide. Or connect you to a reputable source. The best time to come on up here, is in June during whaling festival, in Barrow; I live here now, and I am inviting any and all that wish to see, experience, life in the arctic. Although my house is small, I can comfortably fit 4 people @ any time. I have two spare rooms in my two story house here in Barrow Alaska. There are 5 adults living in this toasty warm house and two rooms to spare for any who wish to visit the Arctic @ the top of the world in Barrow. There are also a few hotels in town, but they do not offer free home cooked meals,5 times per day if necessary !!!
So lets talk about "what goes on up here in the arctic... ... ...
STRANGE THINGS YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE!!!!
there is so much more to come.!!!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/groundzero.jpg

This one of the main beaches we hunt for fossil ivory, located some 30 miles north of the village. This is one of the great hot spots for ivory due to the swift, strong, changing currents in this area. May - Sept, people live out here for weeks on end, digging, walking, moving huge rocks, climbing cliffs and searching high and low.

The end of August in one area, this fossil ivory floats up and along the beach @ midnight. That is the best time to sit and wait and watch, People stay out here, waiting for an East wind to kick up the surf, and in storms people are out, waiting watching, You can "hear" the ivory in the waves, that distinctive "ping" as gravel hits the ivory as it is tumbling in the waves, some people have tied ropes to their waist and are secured as they run into the waves to "fetch" a piece that is seen. Some of these "baseball" bat size fossil tusks fetch many thousands of dollars when sold. The darker the ivory is, the more valuable it is. Black Ivory is said to be 10,000 years old, for it to achieve that state of absorbing all of the elements of the sea, Point Hope has the most dramatic fossil Ivory that I have seen any place. In Barrow the fossil ivory is different. because it just "sits" in the sand, the patterns are dull instead of sharp, dark contrasting patterns, such as we find here in Point Hope. But non-the-less, fossil ivory is a way of life up here. After any storm, get out on your honda or just walk the shoreline, put in the time.. .. and you will find it. I guarantee you it will sell in less than a new york second and that is pretty fast !@!

After flying for an hour an a half, we come across the next village, Point Lay,
250 people, if that Live in this village.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/Pt.-Lay.jpg
Very few jobs in such a tiny village, and people have to provide a way / manner in which to live without having a "job". What are the other choices ? Hunt, fish, for food, Arts & Crafts, for cash ! The Barge has arrived, which is an annual event that all villages depend upon. Seattle - Top of the World with stops in each village usually lasting 3-5 days to unload the materials needed to survive through the next winter.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/Pt.-Lay03.jpg

The don't go whaling in Pt. Lay, too far out, too much work, they do hunt beluga whales & walrus & plents of "fish" of all types, but for whaling, different people travel to different villages to take part in which is undoublty the best two months of the year. Living out on the ocean ice .. .. just can't be put into words, I can't. The rush, the excitement, another world, another planet ! HIGH IN THE ARCTIC .. .. !!

After another 1 1/2 hours we come upon the village of Wainwright, Population about 650. Nothing else exists upon the land between these villages for "human type" cities, settlements. this vast region is empty. ?? ha ha ha !

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/wain.jpg

People, ?? have been spotted, observed, in all of these village areas, during the winter time, when it is dark out, & even when "light" out, as was reported by many individuals one July in 1988. It was about 2:a.m. in the moring, sun is bright and just like 2 in the afternoon in the summer, nice and bright.

3 different individuals from three different homes, looked out their kitchen window, toward.. Kamaqtoak "this was their view"
http://majikimaje.com/Kamaktoaq2.jpg
this image and the snow fence way off to the left side, This event took place between the 2 large whale bones and the snow fence. I must admit when I first heard this.. from a close friend, I did not beieve it one bit, then another person from a different house told me the same story, I still did not believe. Then a person who witnessed this told me what he had seen.. I was shocked, astounded and my mouth was hanging wide open, only because this person was not an Eskimo.
I had known him for many years, and we spoke quite often and I was amazed at his articulate speech & intelligence, He was very well educated in California.
When Joe told me this story the hair stood right up on the back of my neck.
This was a different Joe, 800 miles away, near Nome. Joe Garney, He has been on television on the history channel and I have met him in person and we spoke for over 4 hours, whew.
But Joe Cassados in Pt. Hope was telling me what he saw during the daylight hours. Something black, darker than black, was "spooked" behind the snowfence, looking, agitated, scared. He darted out from behind the snow fence and ran to the bones @ Kamaktauk. He is scared, hyper-active, peeking from out behind the big bone, looking in all directions scared, This "blacker than black" figure is noticeably very afraid of "something' ?

Then this figure all "black" - blacker than black. darted out from behind the bones and started to run back towards the snowfence. STOPPED. half way... and just a figure skater will spin, on the ice... this figure began to spin,.. ... on the dry tundra,...

and went down, down, down, clear out of sight !

Joe Garney in a small village near Nome Alaska tells a story much similiar of blacker than black figure with red eyes.. walking acrouss the tundra as the figure is going down down .. just like it is walking down "invisible stairs".

Quite a few sightings in the last couple of years in Point Hope of these red eyed figures, Darting quickly under a house, and disappearing.



One particular hunting cabin outside of the village near some very old graves, this cabin had to be burned down and destroyed. Stranger than strange events took place on a very regular basis here. Witnessed by too many people from Pt.Hope reported, hearing someone knocking on the door, Faces in windows when no one else was around. Objects flying through the air inside of the house. This house was burned down because of the repeated freaky events that took place on a regular basis.

[Majik Imaje]

There were 3 1/2 people on this flight while I was telling you this latest story in this Journal series.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/readbook.jpg

The flight was exceptionally smooth and it was a gorgeous day to fly

400 for the price of the flight, Adult or infant !!!

and here we are.. .. about to land.. @ the TOP OF THE WORLD !

"That is the name of one of the Hotels here in Barrow.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/wellcome2barrow.jpg

[nightspidy]

Thank you so much for taking me to a whole new place. I loved your pictures and commentary. :lust I felt like I was truly in another place as you were sharing your experiences. Thank you. Now, if we could have MORE, MORE, MORE!!! :barb

[Majik Imaje]

Thank you so much for your wonderful words of praise. I have done my job well in this photo essay of life in the arctic to have you that interested to take the time to read all of "some" of what has happend to me, and others, in this .. the oldest people, in North America.

High in the Arctic, has been posted on OVER 40 different photo forums & other type forums. Here (http://majikimaje.com/WordPress/?page_id=7)

99.9% of all replies to my post have been XCELLENT!
but there is always one in a bunch ( a tiny percentile).
that wants to bash me down and call me a liar.

My aim is to remove some of the mystery of this land, this culture, and these wonderful people of the North Slope.

I have tons of stories that are all true. But how to prove all of this, a person would have to come up here, go out and get lost, and see what happens.

There are just so many stories of people being rescued in desperate situations.

and things much more bizarre than anything I have typed yet.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/model.jpg


My model for this, my last day in Point Hope. I just love to photograph little children, especially when they are playing out, @ midnight !!!
The entire village is alive with the sounds of little children playing out all night long. Our summers are just so fantastick, I would not want to live anyplace else in this world. The Arctic is home, forever, global warming ??

I don't think so, I think it is just a matter of "cycles".

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/lastphoto.jpg


The last photo(s) I created in Point Hope, just before leaving for Barrow.
This image was created @ midnight !!! My flight arrives in 12 hours !!

[Majik Imaje]

The end of July .. the Barge arrives and this is a fun filled three days.

For one, many artists, are always eager for new faces to come to town as this means more money into the economy here in the village.

There are a lot of people that work on the barge and they always purchase Arts & Crafts each and every year.

Once the barge leaves point hope and makes its way up to Barrow, they return to each village on the way back. Two stops per year.



Below is a scrimshaw walrus ivory tusk that Hanko made. Henry Koonuk.

Henry works on Arts & Crafts every day,

This is the only means of obtaining an income for many of the people of all villages.


http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE05.jpg
During these next three days, round the clock activites are on going. I love to capture and create images of children. The "innocence" of their expressions, fascinates me.

http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE13.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE00.jpg

you never know what your going to find on these beaches, everything in and throught the village is gravel,

Walking on the tundra, damages the tundra, that is why "gravel" was blanketed throughout the entire new village, when it was moved in the 70;s due to flooding, The tundra is very fragile and most people have no idea of what it is like to walk on this spongy stuff.
Most of the beaches are gravel and this is what you have to search through, or walk or ride on, to find Ivory.
The secret to finding Ivory is, to look, for something that just doesn't look right in that "gravel". Mastadon Ivory is often passed over, and passed by, because it looks, so much like wood, until you pick it up. Its very heavy.

Anything can wash up on these beaches, and usually does, all you gotta do is walk the beaches and you will find, something, Ivory is the best source of income, it sells quickly to the first person who has the $$, it doesn't take long, once a piece is found to sell it to local artists in the villages or in anchorage even because this stuff is so rare, it is more valuable than gold.


http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE01.jpg

Although the summers are fun and constant sunlight 24/7, I much prefer the village when it is covered with snow and it is cold, crisp & refreshing.

http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE02.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE03.jpg





http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE04.jpg



No one, is allowed on the Barge, and it is forbidden to get up into the Control room unless your invited. As my son Jesse was.

This was our reason for moving to Barrow, The captain of the barge upon his return, told Jesse, get up to Barrow with your bracelets.

and we left on August 7th.
http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE06.jpg

The Captain is looking @ 5 bracelets he ended up purchasing from Jesse, when he returned he bought some more and said get up to Barrow.
NO one in Barrow has bracelets such as we make.
(more to follow)

In Kotzebue, & In Point Hope, we can only get 1-2 hundred for our bracelets. In Barrow we get 3 times that amount or more.

We want to build a "hotel" here in Barrow, this is our goal, to purchase the land that is for sale beside the postoffice & Open Majik
Imaje up here and Re-Open the Anchorage store.

Photo Tours @ The Top of the World promises to be an exciting event.

600 years ago, here in Barrow, the ice piled up and advanced and crushed an entire family inside their sod house, and everything was perfectly perserved. The North Slope Borough has a 2 hour movie on this event. When it was discovered in the 1990's. Archeologists uncovered what is known as Mound 44.

This fascinating 2 hour movie will keep you glued to the edge of your seats. I will post a link to the North Slope Borough if anyone is interested in purchasing this incredible historical event.

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE19.jpg

This is one of my favorite ways to make $$. And we did, find something interesting and create images of it, print them up 'el-quicko' and show them to the same people as fast as possiblel.

http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE14.jpg

We have four 13 x 19" printers @ home here in point hope. 3 Epson & 1 HP.

Those four printers have all been sold and we now have an Epson 1400 & soon our next Epson printer(s) are for 17 X 22 " format and 36" wide format.

Here in Barrow the North Slope Borough has many buildinigs and the walls are bare.
Some of my images taken 27 years ago are still on display inside the North Slope Borough's Main Office.
http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE11.jpg

I always create images, print up what I think is saleable and try and sell them to the people "working" in these type photographs. I have learned from experience, that this method ALWAYS brings in $$.
And this particular event was no different, my goal was to sell 20 images @ 50 each in the three day period. That challenge presented no difficulty at all. People love to have photographs of what they do at work. That has been my experience in the construction industry and I made a ton of money over my 40 year career as an electrician on huge construction projects.


http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE12.jpg

EVERYONE today has a camera or a means of creating a photograph. Now what can you do with that photograph is what is important. How can you market that image ? This is another aspect of photography that most people completly overlook or reach for a goal that is way out of reach.

I do not want to sell one image @ 500 dollars. I want to sell thousands of them @ an affordable price to the person/client I am having a dialogue with, attempting to make a sale.

Learning how to market your images and how to approach total strangers to make a sale is not something your gona learn from a book from some expert, It takes practice, and learning how to smile when they say NO.
I never give up.
I do some very strange things, to make a sale to a customer, some of my methods are very bizarre. ha ha ha ha ha. .such as..
ripping up the photograph, when they say no.
And then going back with a brand new one, 85% of the time. I make the sale !!!



http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE10.jpg

Now with that knowledge that you just gained, how can you make money with your camera ?

To some people, that is not the issure,

For others that is their goal.


http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE09.jpg


It is always a real thrill to go out and purchase new toys to advance your photographic endevors. But it is not how much you have. It is all about learning to use what you have to the fullest extent possible.


http://majikimaje.com/barge/BARGE08.jpg

Create an image, that people want to look at and pay for.

Now-a-days, everyone is a "photographer".

But supporting a family. or creating your own successfull "gallery" or business is the only way to go.

That takes a lot of Marketing skills to sell yourself, and some images.

[Majik Imaje]

Unfortunately these images are not the size I had hoped for:
and thus the "english" is difficult to read. so for those who can't understand the Inupiaq words I will post the english translation below :

http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb01.jpg
COMPASSION
Though the environment is harsh and cold, our ancestors learned to live with warmth, kindness, caring and compassion.
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb02.jpg
AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT
The Iñupiaq way is to think positive, act positive, speak positive and live positive.
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb03.jpg
LOVE AND RESECT FOR OUR ELDERS AND ONE ANOTHER
Our Elders model our traditions and ways of being. They are a light of hope to younger generations.
May we treat each other as our Elders have taught us.

http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb04.jpg
COOPERATION
Together we have an awesome power to accomplish anything
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb05.jpg
HUMOR
Indeed, laughter is the best medicine!
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb06.jpg
SHARING
It is amazing how sharing works. Your acts of giving always come back.
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb07.jpg
FAMILY AND KINSHIP
As Iñupiaq people we believe in knowing who we are and how we are related to one another. Our families bind us together.
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb08.jpg
KNOWLEDGE OF LANGUAGE
"With our language we have an identity. It helps us to find out who we are in our mind and in our heart."
Lee Barger, 1986 Iñupiat Language Convention.

http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb09.jpg
HUNTING TRADITIONS
Reverence for the land, sea and animals is the foundation of our hunting traditions.
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb10.jpg

RESPECT FOR NATURE
Our Creator gave us the gift of our surroundings.
Those before us placed ultimate importance on respecting this magnificent gift for their future generations.

http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb11.jpg
HUMILITY
Our hearts command we act on goodness. Expect no reward in return. This is part of our cultural fiber.
http://majikimaje.com/values/nsb12.jpg
SPIRITUALITY
We know the power of prayer. We are a spiritual people.:clap :clap :clap :bow

[Awais Yaqub]

Great photography
thanks for sharing this amazing place :clap

[imonk]

This has to be one of the most interesting threads I've ever read on a forum. Very well done. You certainly live in a beautifully remote part of the world.

Many thanks for sharing!
Ian

[Majik Imaje]

thank you Imonk and Awais. Lots more to follow, in "another" village.

Barrow Alaska - Top of the World.

And the vast area of the Arctic region(s). so much empty land. the land of 10,000,000 lakes !!

Remember ?? Will Rogers ? or Wiley Post ?? Two very famous people who met their demise in Barrow when the plane crashed.

http://majikimaje.com/brw/plane-wing.jpg

walking around the village affords some strange sights that you will never see in your part of the world. This is the norm here. People preparing their food. I don't have the recipie for this, but it is caribou meat, drying out to make paniktaq. (jerky ) !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/meat.jpg


Those bones at the bottom left portion are whale bone vertabrae bones. These are used to make arts & crafts. and for some. it is their playground for the days events at increasing their imagination.

It is just so different here at the top of the world in these villages.

and to these children. this is all they know. them bones don't bother them one bit. I inquired about these bones. for sale ?? sure the owner said.. $1,000 bux and you can have them all.. nope. I know I can get all of that for 300 or less.. and we did.. we got that much and more from a Jim Allen from Wainwright..

http://majikimaje.com/brw/play.jpg


and My son Mark, made a mask.. Mark Anrew Eves.. = MAE on the back of his art work. everyone thinks it is a woman's sig !!! LMAO !!

Yes mark made this bone mask and it sold for 1500 bux.
two days work.. not bad..

http://majikimaje.com/brw/bmask.jpg


We moved up to barrow on a whim. based on what the barge captain told us.. we arrived broke, no place to stay, I can do this in these villages, just go to any one, broke and have a place to stay and food to eat.. This is the Inupiaq way.. take care of people that need help.

We needed help and we ended up helping a 71 year old alcoholic.

James Sielek he has been in this state since he was 14, no schooling and believe it or not. this man went through two bottles of R& R whiskey each and every day and did not get drunk. he drniks it straight. !!

I have never met anyone who could speak so articulate after having two bottles of this stuff in him.. it costs us ten grand to stay in his house for those two months.!!! My sons make outrageous money, selling ivory bracelets that they make at home.

we were very glad to get a new place Oct. 1st and the rent was not too much cheaper.

We paid all of Jimmys bills every month, purchased, lots of food, did all of the cooking and cleaning for his house. plus gave him 1,000 a month which all went for whiskey.. that's only 5 days worth !!! @ 100 bux a bottle and he went through two a day for two months !!!

I don't drink I have nver been drunk.. and I never will be.

I don't want to smell like that
I don't want to talk like that
I don't want to ever walk like that
I just don't understand it all..
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/jimmy.jpg



There are many exhibts around the village of barrow. the skull bone(s) of a bowhead whale, this exhibit is located in about 4 places throughout the village of Barrow.

One is located outside of the Inuiaq hertiage center which is a focal point for all tourists that come to the village in the summer time.

One is located outside of the North Slope Borough main building in the center of Barrow proper.

the third one is located at the college 5 miles outside of Barrow / Browerville.

http://majikimaje.com/brw/closer-skull.jpg




http://majikimaje.com/brw/skull.jpg
Next door to this heritage center located in Browerville is the "stuagpak"

the store.

I notice this whaling captain coming out of the store. Each whaling captain in all villages designs and purchases crew jackets for all of the members of the crew.
http://majikimaje.com/brw/crew.jpg

The Patkotak sisters are very famous in Barrow (home town) and all other villages all throughout the entire state of Alaska; for the three Inupiaq gospel albums they have made. These are played in almost every household in all of the villages. It is a welcome famiilar sound when traveling into unknown regions of the arctic.

Walking around is always a pleasure to capture and create something interesting. Children captivate me and challenge me to create something pleasing to behold.



http://majikimaje.com/brw/Iseeyou.jpg

This is the traditional manner in which to carry a child or new born. a belt is worn so the baby can sit down, and fall asleep. or play peek a boo.

[slodave]

This is a fantastic thread, read and the photos tell a lot as well. Thank you so much!

[Majik Imaje]

slodave!

Thanks for your time and your kind words.

the biggest bit of advice I can give. is to keep creating and updating your portfolio and doing something with those images. showing them to people. but now with the internet, hundreds of millions of people are now.. photographers. that part is true in essence. but marketing your images is a whole complete different ballgame that many are not prepared for or know where to start.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/baby.jpg


I like to tell stories with my photographs. Every picture tells a story is the name of a song long ago. .and that is true, so true.

The crisp razor sharpness we now enjoy, is incredible, but is just can't match what "film" can impart.

Hopefully with this new house herein Barrow which has a lot of extra room I can now set up a darkroom and get out on that ocean ice and produce and create some new images.

whaling is timeless. it doesn't matter which year you are out there,, everything is the same. but different.. ! a frozen world of broken up ice. for miles in every direction

People are out there, right now, breaking trail, working on the trails that will take them 10 miles out or closer.. no one knows just yet. how far they will have to go. Things change quickly.. anything can happen.

http://majikimaje.com/collection/ice/trail.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

You can tell when the ice breaks, from miles away in town, just by looking at the .. .. sky !!

This will show you if. there is open water way out there, it will not give an indication of how far it is out there. They can tell, but I can't. I just know that when the ice breaks that water will reflect back up to the clouds same way as the ice does and the sky is darker where the water is reflecting up onto those clouds.!!

http://majikimaje.com/collection/ice/trail022.jpg

If there are clouds present (chukle).. .. This is a lot of very hard work to smooth out these trails. pick & axe are used to chop and smooth out this trail that must be kept open for supplies and other equipment to arrive down here.

http://majikimaje.com/collection/ice/trail033.jpg

As things begin to happen here in Barrow I will post more images of this years hunt !
Meanwhile I have a lot to show and tell about Barrow !!

[nightspidy]

Absolutely wonderful......I just love it when you post more pics with the story to go along. Your posts are my escape to a new world. More please!!!! :clap

[dadwtwins]

David,

thank you so much for this effort of sharing. This thread has me captivated and almost got me in trouble at work for spending so much time reading it:rofl.

This would be a great book of your adventures with all the great pics. Once again, thank you for the share. It was an absolute pleasure to read:thumb

[Majik Imaje]

ROFLMAO !!! well you now have a verifiable source to point to.. Admiral Perry he lost 3 members of his crew.
and I have some more recent accounts to add! Thanks for your interest in my work and photo essay.
(chuckle) I have so many people do the same thing to me also.. and when they find the info on the internet they act as through they have the proof!
One lady on one forum said to me.. Now I know your lying to us. you said it was Feb and it was light, then it got dark "and we all know there is six months light and six months darkness"
(double chuckle) !!
Many people and publishers have been after me to write a book, ha ha.. why bother! I want the movie !! and the only person I know of that could possibly play my part, with my sarcasim humor and wit, would be George Carlin !
It is just astounding how people who have never been here, will make such brash bold statments !
Now let me bust one of the biggest myths that exist, about Alaska & the Inupiat Eskimos and the land in which they live & thrive in.
Well I have to explain this in two sections, because Point Hope is much different frm Barrow.
first lets take a much better look in the area of which I am speaking about so you can understand in a much easier way.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/circumpolar.jpg
December is the worst month no matter which village you live in or the whole state for that matter. Dec 21st is the shortest day of the year.
So lets start there. In Barrow Novermber 17th the sun sets and goes below the horizon and it will not come back ABOVE the horizon until Jan 23rd
but we have some "light" each and every day. dusk type not very bright. and for only a very short amount of time (Dec 21) that "dusk" like sorta bright light only lasts for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, then we slowly start to pick up extra minutes every day, continuing into Jan, then the sun comes back up and only stays above thehorizon for 1 1/2 hours then down, then darkness again.
This is Barrow.Dec 21 55 below 11:30 a.m. we will have dusk type sorta bright light by 12:30 and darkness again by 2:30 perhaps.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/home.jpg

As we move into february we are really gaining more minutes each day as in 20 minutes more sunlight each day. on into march sun is up by 8 am and sets at 5 pm now we are really gaining. mid march sunlight at 5 am - 9 pm once we hit april .. towards the end we never see darkness until the end of August. 3 1/2 months of sunlight 24 - 7
June 21st is the longest day of the year. well we have been in 24 / 7 sunlight since end of april - mid may in point hope there is that much difference between those two villages
People say I am nuts when I tell them you can see the curvature of the earth up here. you can. get out on that ice and look at the open ocean water. to your right it is higher than the lower on your left
but in the winter, we never have 3/12 months of TOTAL darkness What we have is more darkness than light for 3 1/2 months but the summers are indescribable. extemly easy to stay awake and alert for 3 days or longer and it only takes about 4 hours rest to re-charge for another 3 or more days if yu stay outside in that sunlight !!
They say we spend 1/3 of our lives asleep. Move to the Arctic and enjoy life longer and fuller !! ha ha ha ha.!!

[Majik Imaje]

FACT ? or FICTION.. you be the judge. Read the page !!

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?p=198067#post198067

[keepright]

FACT ? or FICTION.. you be the judge. Read the page !!

I've been enjoying reading your story on dGrin... and dcwatch, and shuttertalk, and flashkit, and photogalaxy, and dphoto, and ozzu, and openphotographyforums, and fredmiranda.

Your new approach of simply linking to another forum is much more efficient, and must save you hours of internet time.

[Majik Imaje]

LOL.. thanks so much, for your continued interest. but I do not link

this time I did. but usually most of these are hand typed in each forum. you can easily see that.

I have copied and pasted the info on polar bears & Iglu..

go to City-data dot com.

they banned me because I made one mistake in a story. .I sure am pissed !!

especially @ megansmom & floyd Davidson

again.. THANKS

WHEN you check out Floyd Davidsons images on his web site in Barrow. I would not be a bit surprised if you fall over laughing !!

a very pitifull atempt at depicting the Inupiaq way of life.!! and full of mistakes I might also add.

[dank-photo]

I just finished reading this thread from the beginning, and all I can say is, wow. You're great storytelling coupled with the photographs really kept me glued to my seat for a while. I hope I have a chance to visit in the future...maybe at you're proposed hotel? I'd love to get away from all the hustle and bustle of American life and retreat to "Heaven on Earth." I can't wait until you post more...thanks again!

-DK



www.dank-photo.com

[Majik Imaje]

Well I have published this on over 50 photo forums.

If you would like to see and read lots more storeis and more photos

go to Fred miranda dot com.. two posts

in the PEOPLE section .. "Arctic MOdels @ 30 below zero

it is on page 2 or 3 or 4 by now..

In the ABSTRACT -CITY section

hHIGH IN THE ARCTIC .. .. Eskimo !!

probably on page 2 or 3 also !!

I posted lots more there than I have on any other forum !!

again.. um. er . THANKS.

You do not have to live that type of life.. there's tons of jobs up here.. very high paying jobs.

Barrow Alaska (that's my location now ) !!

[Majik Imaje]

I see a forum such as this where people can interact with whaling captains, and children and even teachers that are imported into this village to "teach"? these children.
I have no idea which talent pool they reach into to find some of the qualified people that are sent to this village in responsible positions.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/NSB.jpg

The head counselor for the students, when I met with her suggesting a program of arts & crafts and photography, she replied no! I am going to teach these children how to make "buttons" !. ??
Believe it or not, the photography teachers they send up here, keep saying the same thing, No, that darkroom cannot be used to process color. Hmmm. I was very successfull in the same area with my equipment 25 years ago, but the childish mindset of people in responsible positions, have no vision, no preception of how much damage they are causing the children of these villages.
I lost 3 hours work, on this post, eariler, oh well, no problem, I can reconstruct most of it but not with the flow it had before.
The time today, at 9 a.m. the streets are bright, there is plenty of light even though the street lights are still on, by 10 am the sun was above the horizon, The sun went down below the horizon @ 4:30 and it was dark at ten past five. p.m.
We are gaining 6 miuntes more each day I believe. I will watch more closely, but this is all charted out, someplace on the net.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sunset.jpg

I have had some elders from Point Hope visiting here in Barrow for meetings, They are spending most of their off time @ our house here. this is indeed a true pleasure. Everyone knows of the winner for the very first Iditarod in 1973, But no one remembers what happened to Ron Oviok, from Pt. Hope he placed 14th, he had to walk most of the way, his dogs became sick, and they ran out of food, The packages of seal meat and maktak and caribou is all that these dogs had ever eaten. But none of this was arriving in time at the check points, He stayed two days at one checkpoint hoping for food to arrive. All he could find or obtain was a big bag of friskees, he sat down with his dogs and ate the friskees with them, they followed his lead .

http://majikimaje.com/collection/Anchorage/IditarodR.jpg

He finally entered Nome, during a white out at 1:30 a.m. No one was at the finish line, he went straight to the bar-room, some women from point hope recognised him and he felt right at home, among close friends. His 21 day journey was over.
I asked him, how do you ever find your way in the blinding white out, he said, you don't yell at the dogs; or the dogs will take you back home.
Suicides ? Oh yes (sob) Notice when I mentioned about Rozella's children I past right by Ricky ? He was a genius in understanding complicated circuitry and the ability to draw them from memory, He could not read or write, even though he had graduated from High School, I know of a lot of people in this village that have graduated from High School and cannot read or write.
In the village it is so tiny and eveyrthing everyone does is known by all, There is no way to escape the pressure, and some resort to the untinkable. Ricky could not handle what he saw, his wife in the arms of another man.
Each village has two PSO's Public Saftey Officers. over the years , more of these officers (imported) have ended up in jail for trying to bribe young girls in the village
Too many of these children spend too much time, in jail. Bored out of there wits, there is little that is or can be done, BUT things need to change, it is has been my dream for 25 years to use the proceeds from these images to help these people. and I have done so many times, in ways they are not even aware of.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/model.jpg
Here are some of my very last images, before leaving Pt. Hope on August 7th.
taken @ midnight !!
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/lastphoto.jpg
These children live on these 4 wheel hondas
as much as possible, they learn how to drive them at
a very young age. And as you have seen in many of these images,
An entire family of 5 or 6 is loaded onto just one of these vehicles.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/letmedrive.jpg

YOu can see the fresh strips of Salmon drying, lots of houses have this hanging up all over the village, fresh fish is plentiful up here and with many different varieties most of which I have never heard of. But salmon is plentiful

Death is a recognizable site in any village
and it is all too common and frequent for my state of mind.
It disturbs me greatly to see people die at such a very young age.
Especially since I have come to know them so well.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/death.jpg

But there are some good stories also, but always bizarre and preposterous, and even documented by: the Discovery Channel, yes indeed, true story, 1993, before everything was computer data base MYSQL driven or stored.
This was reported and they had to come up here and find out the true facts, when all was established then they filmed the entire sequence of events with Morris in the water of the pool in the school but it was extremly believeable the manner in which they reconstructed the entire events of that day.
This story I saw on TV in Anchorage and I was spellbound, shocked and amazed at the same time. Inupiaq people can survuve tragic deadly incidents with some astounding results that defy logic, defy science and all medical knowledge known to man at this present date and time.
This is a 2 hour movie I am going to type in just a few short paragraphs. Sayers & Morris have copies of this movie, I have tried in vain to obtain a copy by calling the discovery channel and other associated branches of that unit.
The story begins with Morris Sage and Sayers Tuzroyluk returning to the village from hundreds of miles away, hunting caribou, no luck, coming home, almost home 7 miles to go across the lagoon and they both went through the ice and plunged into the ocean, Sayers was able to jump off his machine to safer ice and land. Morris went down with his machine but managed to climb off and grab his 10 foot sled which was vertical just barely sticking above the survace of the water. Clinging on to that sled he was barely able to keep his head above the water. Sayers tried to jump in and swim over but that was not possible as the weight of all your clothing brings you down very quickly. Sayers barely managed to get himself out of that icey water for the second time and decided the only way to get help here is to walk back to the village. He knows Morris is in very serious trouble but what can he do, just standing there.? He has nothing that can be used and the only recourse is to abandon Morris and head back to the village for help and hope that someone is headed this way.
Morris is going to die and he knows it, He is in an impossible situation. He thinks of his daughter, coming home from school and finding out that her father died and the shock and devastation that would ensue, He just could not let that happen, NO ! He was determined, I must see my daughter, I cannot die, I must see my daughter , this must not happen, then he remembered what his grandfather had taught him when he was a very young boy, how to use his mind to control the water and defy death.
And Morris said, to himself and to his mind.. Oh this feels so good and warm this water is just so warm and it feels so good, He went into some sort of trance believing this was true and this was what his body was actually feeling,
Meanwhile Sayers is slowly trying to walk the seven miles back to the village but he is in very serious condition, as his clothes are all frozen with ice, His legs are hurting he can't walk and he falls down and wants to go to sleep, He just cannot get back up. He knows if he falls asleep that Morris will die, he has to get back to the village and with great effort he was able to rise and continue walking slowly toward the village which can be seen on the horizon a geat distance away.
Sayers fell again, and again, several times, and each time, it was more difficult to get up and the time that passed was longer and longer. He had to do something, he had to keep going but the pain in his legs was too much for him to continue.
As a last resort with no other options available he turned around and started to walk backwards, a much slower pace but far less painful.
At some point in time, Sayes cannot remember how long it had been or how far he had walked, someone, noticed something that was not normal and rushed out there to see why this was happening, it didn't make sense. Sayers was quickly brought back to the village and many people with the proper equipment sped out to Morris' location. Morris is unconscious, but still holding on.
They had a very difficult time in prying Morri's frozen hand off that the top of the back of the sled that was sticking up out of the water about 18". It took quite some time to pry his fingers and loosen his grip and get him out of that water.
Morris was submerged in icy cold water for 4 hours !
It was 20 below outside
He was rushed back to the village into the clinic and medivaced by plane down to the hospital in Kotzebue.
When ever anyone has to be medivac to Kotzebue, first they have to send the plane up here, that takes at least 40 minutes. Morris has now had all clothing removed and is now wrapped in many layers of warm blankets.
When he arrived at the hospital in Kotzebue, the doctors were stunned, amazined and bewildered, Morris' core temp was 58 degrees. He recovered fully
with no side effects what so ever !
Want proof ? Morris Sage - General Delivery - Point Hope Alaska 99766
Sayes Tuzroyluk > same info !
Inupiaq Eskimo's think different, they do things different and still today, science has no answers for these peoples unique abilities that defy anything we know of.









-=[WoWoW]=-

[Majik Imaje]

David, you have brought me to a place I will more than likely never venture. Through your photographs and story (continuing I hope), I am there. What a unique priviledge it is to share this adventure you bring to us!

This is exactly what the Journeys Forum was designed for. More! More! :clap


Thanks David ! (chuckle) I am david also !! and in Eskimo that would make us "namesakes" which is attik. (person with the same name)

when ever two people that have the same exact name in the village see each other. they always refer to each other as Ut !

Hello Attik (ut tick) but usually the term Ut is used A= Uh In Inupiaq

[dawickham]

That was an amazing adventure and interesting story. Thank you for sharing the great Pictures.

DW:thumb

[Majik Imaje]

I have many more photos, and tons of photographs to post- show & tell of the most wonderful life in the Arctic.

What if I told YOU .. .. .. .. that YOU.. .. can.. with practice.. make 10k in less than a week. This not some get rich scheme or spam or phishing.

I just want to share.. a 'secret".. .. that very very few people know about.

Arts & Crafts is a huge business in the Arctic. guess what ? you can do the exact same thing at home no matter which part of the world you live in.
http://majikimaje.com/barge/Scrim.jpg


This is a scrimshawed Walrus Ivory tusk.. .. it sold for 120 bux.

You cannot purchase RAW white walrus ivory. that is 100% illegial.

but you can purchase Beach Washed Ivory, that is legal for anyone to own, possess and carve on and sell.
anyone can own, purchase fossil ivory. mastodon ivory, Mammoth Ivory.

There are NO LAWS against this. I do not care if you live in the deserts of Afghanistan or anyplace in the world. If you can read these words. You can get ivory and make big bux. At home.

All of these villages have extremly high rates of unemployment. Very few jobs in small villages, the exceptons to this are Barrow & Kotzebue.

Plenty of jobs for anyone that wants to work are available in these villages.

but in the smaller villages of 300 people or 600 people, Parents who have very large families.. .. . their only income is from Arts & Crafts @ home on a daily basis.. '" this is your job" work work work. @ home !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/today.JPG

This bracelet which was made by one of my sons, sold instantly for 300 bux very little ivory is used. it is fossil ivory. I have provided step by step instructions of everything you need to know.. to begin to learn how to make major bux in no time at all.. 10 thousand in less than a week ?

This is no joke. I have all the necessary proof for you to read.
go to my blog. go to the search window on my blog and type in So Proud

take the time to read and make up your own mind.. NO !! .. .. YOU WILL not LEARN this by next weekend.. but in less than a month your going to begin to make money, if you continue. . .. with practice your going to be blown away that $$ coming in far surpasses any thing you ever thought possible.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/khris.jpg

[dank-photo]

That sounds like a real moneymaker. I think I'd like to try my hand at that at some point. It sounds like an incredible craft, with a lot of skilled workmanship involved. I wish I had the time to learn now.


-DK

[Majik Imaje]

Anyone can learn this.. .. with dedicated practice ! Little children do this kind of stuff.. all it takes is practice !

We didn't do this over night.. but when our first bracelets sold (20 bux) 2 of them.. these boys were so happy.. lets make more, was the decision. This is fun !!

4 boys, sitting on a couch in a cold qanichaq (artic entry ) barely 6 feet wide.
http://majikimaje.com/images/shop001.jpg

Once they learned all the steps, and could create a bracelet in a day.. then they were off and running. At first 20 bux then 40 bux, after a week or two, 60 bux, 80 bux and 120 bux per bracelet. Now n Barrow it is much much higer than that. 200, - 750 !!! This is all we do each and every day. Go to work and work hard and long hours. THIS IS HOW YOU SUCCEED.

Keep working, and then it all of a sudden it happens. .money coming in every day. Much more than you ever thought possible.

[Majik Imaje]

Hello Hello from the land of the Eskimo - in Barrow TOP of the WORLD.
Here is perhaps the most well known site in the entire village, The Arch of the two Jaw bones from a Bowhead Whale.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/barrowarches.jpg
But these were put here, not by the people of Barrow.. .. People of Point Hope came up here to show and help them how to do this in the ways of Tikigaq ! in 1964.
An Elder informed me of this little tidbit of info about the Arctic. Ron Oviok from Point Hope. He was my former landlord in Point Hope, In one of the many different homes have rented in the village.
Its that time of year again, it is time to go whaling.. new skins need to be put on those umiaq frames !! Clean skins or the whale will not give up its gift to the hunter of its choice.
New skins are hanging, drying in the wind. To stretch and stretch and sewn together to cover that wooden frame.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/2ugrukskins.jpg
These are thousands of years of age old traditions that must be strictly adhered to. The whale can see, hear, smell. They know the personality of that hunter. They know his umiaq each and every year, the same whales with the same hunters in the same umiaq. Whales are SMART. they will only give up the sacrifice to the hunter of its choice.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/2umiaqsnowbrw.jpg
Everyone has had a whole year to get ready. That Captain must spend many thousands of dollars to feed his crew and provide the supplies, ammuntion, meals for 8 hunters many times each day. There is lots of very difficult hard work to do out on that ice. If you want a much closer view of Barrow by the best there ever was up here. Bill Hess is most respected person up here. He lives in Wassilla but has made many trips to Barrow in his own private plane. The Gift of the Whale by Bill Hess - a MUST READ ! that will keep you utterly spell bound. I now know how you feel when you read this thread. I felt the excitment all over me reading his exceptional book 289 pages with oodles & oodles of fascinating images that had me breathless page after page. (Gasp !!)
I was shocked .. .when I found out, we each began our quest in the same year. In fact when he was in Point Hope in 82,after the hunt I was in the darkroom processing all this film, we have never met. but his name is a 'legend' and well respected at that.
We have spoken on the phone years ago, But this book is wonderful. and he verifies many of the stories and customs that I have written about. I felt like I was beside him the whole time. I will read - reread and read that book many times. The rush was incredible !!

[Art Scott]

What an incrediable Journey......Is trhere more to tell or show? Surely there is??

Hope to see more......When does the book come out?

[Majik Imaje]

What an incrediable Journey......Is trhere more to tell or show? Surely there is??

Hope to see more......When does the book come out?

The book is in the works, .. .. I am in negotations with the same publisher that Bill Hess used for his book Sasquatch Publishers.

Here is a poem by an Inupiat whaler

Charles Hopson from here in Barrow Expressing the unique relationship between the Captain & the whale !


Bowhead
by Charlie Hopson, Inupiat whaler

Silently I move toward destiny.
Quietly, you, Inupiat, await my destiny.
I can hear you as I move under the ice.
I can see you as I surface.
Together we wait.
Both know what the other thinks.
Although we live in different worlds,
We exist for each other.
I move towards you Inupiat,
Because it is my destiny.
Quietly I approach you.
Silently you move towards me.
I give you your culture.
I give myself, Bowhead Whale.

"The Inupiat never boast they have caught a whale. They receive a whale, and they do so humbly. They believe that the whale chooses to sacrifice itself, that if a hunter creates a place pleasing to the animals, it will choose to die there and tell the others to come next year. Nothing logical about animal behavior or natural selection can shatter this belief, it is so deeply felt among the Inupiat. Doubting it would be akin to blasphemy, an abandonment of their heritage."
- Marla Cone

[Majik Imaje]

A house, next to the palm trees.. . .here in the Arctic !

Now that does sound rather bizarre.. No one would ever believe me for sure... ... that is.. .. unless I post an image of these three trees in the Arctic.!

Humor is everywhere up here, these are happy happy people that never complain !!

head to Barrow.. walk the streets. complete strangers will look you straight in the eye, smile and give a big hello !!!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/tree2.jpg

Oh, I forgot to mention.. .. these three trees have 'baleen' for leaves !!

[colfragless]

WOW man that sounds great... and your picture look great keep them coming...

[LittleLew]

OP,

You have posted this same series of images and commentary on several other web sites.

I appreciate that you are trying to share these images but, since you are selling them, this seems like an effort to drive people to your web site.

Do you have model releases from the people whose pictures you are selling?

[Majik Imaje]

OP,

You have posted this same series of images and commentary on several other web sites.

I appreciate that you are trying to share these images but, since you are selling them, this seems like an effort to drive people to your web site.

Do you have model releases from the people whose pictures you are selling?

Educational material requires NO MODEL releases.. My store isn't even open yet. My store is for the artists of all villages.. OUR PRODUCTS will (photographs) not be listed here. We have other means and ways of selling our photographs all over the world .. 95 countries this month !!

and.. for what it is worth ,, In case you want to disagree with what I posted.. I have full written permission signed sealed and delivered of all the people in images that we do sell !!!

In other words.. (I was born at night .. .. .. but it wasn't last NIGHT !)

The model releases begain when I first captured that image of Daisy Della Fay. lDec 82 . she wasn't old enough to sign it @ age 3.. .. .. but her father - Ruppert Koonuk was and he did sign. He passed away shortly a few years later..

Our store is demo mode only and it was just posted last week..

so your logic of me doing this to send people to my store.. is false.

57 FORUMs for one purpose ONLY !! These people are about to be destroyed !! Their unique lifestyle / culture is about to be stripped from them .. .. that is the whole point of doing all of this incredibly hard work.

I do not need money.. I am not sending people to my store. So far your the only person that has asked !! No problem. .I will always admit if I have done something wrong.

I made my fortune many years ago !! when I retired !! I do not have to use a camera ever again to make BIG BUX..

Images I created 27 years ago.. bring in a huge amount of money in many other ways & methods.. I would never rely on the internet for making sales of my images.. I have a much better proven method !!

thanks for the comments and questions !!

Now for an update: Polar Bears are NOT IN ANY DANGER. .they are not threatened... THIS IS A HUGE LIE !!!

But, because this animal (highest population #'s in decades) is or has been put on this list !! Now the walrus and seal is being added.. in other words.. ALL OF OUR FOOD is now being taken away .. we cannot even hunt ducks now becuase of these lame brain dead people deceiving the masses with "what sounds good"

I live in the Arctic for 30 years.. (28 1/2 )... Weather goes in cycles. Nothing is ever the same.

1982 we were 7 miles out on the ocean ice.. each year the ice would be less - less - less until we finally had no ice 1991. During the 1990's we went whaling from the shore, There was no ice. 2003 - 2008 We have had the best ice in many decades, last year 11 miles out on the ice pack.

People hear the world Polar Bear and are introduced to mass deception with mis information. Alaska - Sibera only accounts for 20% of these magnificent beasts. The population is thriving. Norway is allowed to harvest 150 each year.

We do not go looking for the polar bear to hunt. That is just much too dangerous. Point Hope usually has perhaps 3 each year, that have to be taken down only as a last resort.

Lying & Deceiving the masses to stir up the massess to take all the food away from these people and force them to eat food that is not natural for them is a discrace. Inupiaq People need their food to survive.! NO OTHER FOOD will keep you warm out on that ice pack. Native food for native people is a must to continue.

Inupiaq People only take that which is needed to eat. NOTHING is ever wasted. !
Your culture cannot make those same claims.

We never ever thow out a zip lock baggie no matter which size it is. they are always washed out and saved for future use.

[Majik Imaje]

Proof.. .. of the Little People I spoke of earlier !! I know most think this is far fetched and just myth. so here in the words of someone else.. you can make your own decision. It doesn't matter which village you enter. All speak the same of the same wierd things that happen out there in the middle of no where. !!

for your reading pleasure.!!

http://www.adn.com/life/story/422883.html

Luke Koonuk Jr. was hunting a few years ago, many miles from the village of Point Hope, hunting all alone. His 4 wheel honda got stuck in the mud in some ruts. He tried and tried and tried to get that honda free from the grasps of the mucky mud. He could not lift it over the ruts. He was exhausted tying to move that honda that was too heavy to move. At one point, he was bent over, exhausted trying to catch his breath, out of the corner of his eye he saw his honda rise and come crashing down on a firm hard place. He turned to see a flash / blur running away. His honda was ready to go… he drove home and told; & re-told his experience out there that day. I could fill pages with stories that are told here, experiences people have when out hunting. Reports are phoned in from Kivalina frequently about these people.
Three years ago. Some people in Kivalina encountred a small group of these people, they were speaking fluent Inupiaq, They were trying to locate a ‘friend” that had a book; they wanted to learn more about this person called Jesus Christ !!
The little people (called by many different names ) Used to live with and among the people of Point Hope. Long before the Yankee whaling companies arrived. One of their young was killed and eaten by a dog, they moved out of the village and continue to live underground and in caves throughout this region.
They still dress the old ways using nothing but caribou skins for clothing and they still hunt with bow & arrow to this day.

[Majik Imaje]

This years whaling festival dates and the photographs will be posted here shortly

That always puts a smile in peoples faces !

http://majikimaje.com/images/BOY01.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Now fast forward 2008 - Barrow - Whaling Festival !

Barrow does everything 'different' from Point Hope.

whaling is different, festivals are different, Point Hope (Tikigaq) is the oldest of all villages and as such they strictly adhere to and employ all the age old traditions that the elders insist upon. Centuries old, Millenia Old traditions, ingrained into their unique lifestyle / culture that must be studied and understood for their wisdom.

http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/fg.jpg

Here we are for the first of four festivals held in Barrow this year. These images were created on June 21 of 08. How hot is it where you live ? Here in Barrow it is 50 degrees. that sounds very warm but it is very cold. As you view some of these images, you will easily see and discern that people have their hands hidden (for warmth). The wind is bitting cold, keep your ears covered, ear infections are extremly common here for adults & children alike. The wind will change many times during the day, Wind is a must to learn and understand here, out in the tundra or on the ocean ice, that wind is the key to survival, Death is what awaits if you ignore the warning signs of wind. In the village itself, you are protected from the elements of disaster which are significent in other locations, i.e. Ice movement(s), the freezing rain, ice storms, etc.

Each whaling festival, no matter which village, begins with prayer and thanksgiving . Food & drink is the main course for many hours & hours. Then blanket toos and Eskimo Dance. the festival day is over and it ends.. except in Point hope. it goes on for 3 days non - stop for all practical purposes. Rosemary Oviok (86 year old elder) says that in the old says. they would stay out there for those 3 days. no matter what the weather, rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, they stayed and gave thanks and celebrated!

http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/Patkotak_crew1.jpg

Handing out food, waiting in line, servers serving the elders first. Coffee,Tea, Hot chocolate is constantly brewed in these two tents that you will see. Hundreds of people are present for the day's activities, Barrow has a population of 5k give or take, But in comparision, very few people attend, not quite what I had expected at all to see. In Point Hope, Everyone shows up. plus visitors from all over the states and all over the world.

http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/Patkotak_crew2.jpg
The weather will change constantly here in the Arctic. When those flags are not moving, Something is about to change, suddenly, watch, learn !!

http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/coldnowind.jpg

One of the most common indicators of how cold it is outside, look at peoples hands. study the way people are dressed for 50 degrees ! that is very hot for the arctic, with no wind. Once that wind is moving, the chill from the ice, as the wind blows over it, makes it very cold outside.!!!



http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/fish.jpg
Boxes and boxes of frozen fish are brought to the festival site, It took less than two minutes to unload this huge trailer and setup the boxes on the table for everyone to partake of more of themany different native foods served here today
http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/fish2.jpg
Tony Bryant (Point Hope) is here in Barrow, asking this young whaler who old he is. The merging of the wood in the background and the woman raising her two fingers make this image perplexing and interesting indeed.
Tony Briant is an 'actor' in a new movie about Barrow that was recently made here.
In January, filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, originally from Barrow and Fairbanks, walked the red carpet with familiar Hollywood faces at the Sundance Film Festival. His film, which in English means "On the Ice," was chosen as one of 83 special selections of short films out of 5,000 films sent.
More recently, the film collected awards for screenplay and directing at the First-run Film Festival at New York University, where MacLean completed his graduate studies.
Inspired by Sergio Leone and other Western filmmakers in the 1950s and 1970s, "Sikumi" is an "Arctic western" featuring a fictional treatment of a real-life situation.
Apuna, the lead character in this Inupiaq-speaking film, crosses the sea ice several miles north of Barrow on a dogsled when he witnesses a community member in the act of murder. Isolated from anyone and anything, both men face tough questions about their morality "outside the bounds of society," according to MacLean.
"I was thinking about how the characters would react to this situation and how they would react as Inupiaq people, taking into consideration our concepts, values .
"'Avoidance of conflict,' this is how this character would deal with this situation," MacLean said.
"He wouldn't try to subdue the killer but tries to find way to bring the killer to realize the magnitude of what he's done — bring justice within himself."
All three men playing in this film are local actors from Barrow. Brad Weyiouanna plays Apuna, Tony Bryant, with family ties to Point Barrow and Point Hope, plays Miqu, and Olemoun Rexford plays Taqi, the murdered hunter.
MacLean wrote the film as his master thesis project for the filmmaking program at NYU.
This is MacLean's second film to appear at Sundance. His first film, "Seal Hunting with Dad," or "Natchiliagniaqtuguk Aapagalu" in Inupiaq, was a documentary inspired by MacLean's grandfather's life and was screened at the New York Museum of Modern Art in April 2005.
MacLean's films are primarily shot in Alaska and focus on the Arctic and the Inupiaq culture. While living in Barrow before leaving for film school, MacLean co-founded the first Inupiaq-speaking theater company. Both Rexford and Bryant had acted in the theater prior to making films with MacLean.
MacLean has dedicated himself to promoting the preservation of his Native tongue.
Familiar with the language from home but not a fluent speaker, MacLean taught himself the language with the help of his mother Edna Agheak MacLean, who is a well-known linguist. His mother also helped translate the film's script from its original English version to Inupiaq, according to MacLean.
"Most of my generation grew up around the language but couldn't really speak it myself, and I was feeling something was missing," MacLean said.
"I tried to teach it to myself and tried to find ways to use it — one of the ways that has been effective is in theater and film pieces that I make," he said, "I want to get it to be used in a more public way as part of the media."
"Everywhere you look there is pop culture reference to Eskimos, but no one has seen Inuit culture as expressed by Inuit people," MacLean said.
"People are very curious about it and definitely respond to that."
MacLean's next goal is to make a full-length feature. He is working on the script for that project.
Another project under the works is a documentary film about the effects of global warming in the Arctic.
http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/3plus.jpg
The servers assigned to each crew walk around to make sure everyone receives a portion of the many varied types of food prepared for this event. Mikigaq is the main delicacy served. This food is dangerous to eat. Just make sure you have not had any sugar products that day. It is possible to die from Botulisim if you have sugar in your system and you eat this food. I always smile and say 'no thank you" I'll pass on this treat !
http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/mikiaq.jpg
Many different types of soup are available,
Fresh caribou soup,
Fresh duck soup of many different varieties !

http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/soup.jpg
Just be patient and wait, Food is served where you sit. You are waited on by many servers that are part of each ot the two crews that were successfull this year in receving a whale.
some of the elders even bring their own favorite bowl, to make things easier for the servers that are passing out food to everyone that is here at the festival grounds.
http://majikimaje.com/WF2008/soup2.jpg
There are three more festivals for Barrow this year. the 26th - 28th & 30th. Hurry if you want to visit and enjoy a day you will never forget !!

[Majik Imaje]

Yes it is true. The Governor of the State of Alaska is on the blanket, she is pregnant so they had to be gentle ! Go Sarah go !! The weather was perfect, a most spectacular day indeed. Up she went, just a few feet. Into the air and back down safely. The crowd around her was massive, it was dificult to even begin to get close to where she was, Immediatly upon her arrival she was swarmed from all directions. This brilliant woman has done something no other governor in the U.S. has ever attained .. 86% approval rating ! That is unheard of .. .. .. in any state by any governor ever !! That was just the most wonderful news item to hear over the television on the news !! I stood up and applauded !! Its about time we have someone who knows the importance of telling and speaking the truth. I am so sick of having to put up with people that choose to lie, to impress others.
http://majikimaje.com/images/govPalin.jpg (http://majikimaje.com/images/govPalin.jpg)
It is no easy task to maintain your balance when that blanket is moving up and down, learning how to walk the blanket takes much practice. Governor Palin exhibited her true skills in her first attempt at nalakutaq !!Bending her knees when she landed prevented her from falling over. Go show Governor !! Atta Girl !!
http://majikimaje.com/Palin2.jpg (http://majikimaje.com/Palin2.jpg)
The crowd was pressed on all sides, people wanting to get close to this incredible woman, who has shown the people of Alaska that she truely cares about the people of this Great State of Alaska.
http://majikimaje.com/looking.jpg
Oops, she sees me, !!! It is obvious !! - We had a good quick chat and a hearty laugh !!
Now for some of the not so common blanket toss !!
http://majikimaje.com/images/upsidedown.jpg
Nope I am not going to attempt that !
http://majikimaje.com/images/candy.jpg
IN Barrow, during blanket toss, candy is thrown, and it is for the children of the village that are present at the sides of the blanket. In Point Hope, the tradition is totally different and with meaning ! Candy that is thrown, money, furs, and any other 'gifts', are for the 'elders' only !! Fierce competition is witnessed as the oldest women in the village, compete with one another to grab that prize. women in their 80's and up, running, jumping, diving head first into that gravel to claim their prize. A person only has to witness this once, to see how much different Barrow is from Point Hope in celebrating its culture of many thousands of years.
Blanket toss had its origns down at the lead opening FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS for one purpose and one purpose ONLY !! Hunters would toss a hunter or captain into the air, for only one reason, to see if any animals are migrating through the lead opening ! that was the only purpose ! Everyone out on that ice pack is well aware of the wind and the dangers it presents, As long as that wind (Point Hope) is from the North, (prevailing wind), Life out on the ice continues day to day. No wind ? same situation applies, but everyone is instantly aware of what that can mean or represent. A change is coming.. .. if the North wind continues then all is well.. THE ONLY time, people 'killigvaq' (evacuate the ice in mass panic) is when that wind shifts to south wind. The North Slope Borough published a book in the early 80's, everyone in each village received a copy of this thick blue book. It was published by the 7 sisters - The common name for the Oil companies! this expression is heard all over the place in Prudhoe Bay. Back to the book, I am not able to correctly spell the name of that book, Puiiwiichaq But it was in this book that elders of all villages told stories of long ago, and it was in this book that I read Dina Frankson (Point Hope) tell of when she was out on the ice and a south wind would arrive, they would take a new born child and strip that child of all clothing and hold that child into the wind and move the child in the direction they NEEDED the wind to change so they could stay out there, and hunt for food !!
Again Point Hope is way different from Barrow and as such I will present it in both views.. In Point Hope, the entire community of 700 people head out to the ocean to live on that ice pack for the entire two months. In Barrow a very small portion of the community is directly involved in the activities out on the ocean ice.
http://majikimaje.com/images/fall.jpg
Landing correctly is not as easy as it might appear, candy is still flying all over the place from some of the pieces landing on the blanket itself. Each time that blanket is raised, the candy and the person on the blanket go high into the air. In Point Hope, only a woman that has given birth to her first born may get on the blanket to throw 'gifts' to the elders !!
http://majikimaje.com/images/sit.jpg
Form, and laughter are the other aspects of blanket toss. what posture or position can you achieve during those 2 seconds in the air ?? Each person has their own unique style of jumping, and what to do once you are airborne.
http://majikimaje.com/images/niceform.jpg
Award winning form, of walking in the air, is very difficult to achieve. Much skill and practice is the only way to gain these skills. This is not like jumping on a trampoline. Nalakutaq is all together different !
http://majikimaje.com/cake.jpg
Two successfull crews are honored, two huge cakes, Lots of dessert !! Yummy !
http://majikimaje.com/Llane.jpg
Lillian Lane (Johnson) from Point Hope sings an Inupiat song and recites a poem. There are always quite a few people here in Barrow from the village of Point Hope. These people in all of these villages are very close to each other no matter which village ! In such a vast area you would not think it possible for the different vilages to be in constant communication with each other but through the VHF radio(s) and the FM radio (KBRW) the whole region is UNITED as ONE. We use airplanes in the same manner you use automobiles !! We constantly fly.. to different villages & different cities - i.e. Fairbanks & Anchorage are the two popular destinations
INUPIAQ VALUES are what keeps these people so closely knit ! It is sad that other people and cultures do not believe and act in this manner. When a person has to deliberatly lie and twist and change the truth to make his reputation counter increase, SOMETHING IS WRONG with that attitude and the types of people associated with that 'personality' !!

[Majik Imaje]

Some of the sights that are in plain view around the village of Barrow. Food being prepared, Skins being cleaned, for the new covers for the skin boats (umiaq). Umiaq's are everywhere you look in this village, some new, some of them, decades old, filled with stories of past whale hunts.

And then, you come across a new umiaq underconstruction. This is a lot of work to build a sea worthy craft, this requires very skilled workmanship.

An umiaq requires the use of 5 or 6 (Oogruk) (Bearded Seal) skins to cover the boat in the correct manner.

http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/prep-skins.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/new-umiaq.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/new-umiaq2.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/new.JPG


Everyplace you walk in this village, you will see, old umiaq wooden frames from boats used long ago. Whaling equipment is visible everyplace you walk and look in Barrow.

[Majik Imaje]

Children are in constant training in their own special ways & methods. Whaling is deep ingrained into their spirit !

http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/sea-skills.JPG

Living in a whaling village is very exciting, watching the people work, seeing all of the work involved, BEFORE whaling ever gets started. I have said many times in other forums, it takes a whole year.. .. just to get ready to go whaling. The expense(s) that each captain has to invest is just staggering !!

You have absolutely no idea on the incredible amount of work involved to move hundreds of people many miles, and live out on that ice pack for two months time. One whaling captains sled collection. Moving all that is needed to each camp, requires dozens of dangerous trips out to the camp sites. Anything can happen out there, with no warning at all.

http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/sleds.JPG
Having personally attended & photographed 5 whale hunts, spending a total time of 10 months or more living on that ice pack is a completly different frozen world for sure. There is just no way to put that experience into words that will impart the difficulty of doing the most menial of tasks.

Food is prepared well in advance, Jerky, (Panaqtaq), dried fish, dried caribou, dried Oogruk ribs. This takes many weeks or months depending on how the individual likes it prepared. Some like it soft and some like it very hard. It also depends on the weather, If it is hot and sunny it will only take a few weeks.

http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/jerky.JPG

Panataq is delicious, I do not like eating fish per say, but dried salmon is absolutely delicious !!!

http://majikimaje.com/WAB-800/jerky2.jpg

Lots more to follow.. .. .. soon !!

[xFistsClenchedx]

I went to Point Hope, AK about 5 or 6 years ago during a humanitarian trip that I signed up for while I was in the Air Force. My memory is fuzzy on a lot of it because my memory sucks and it was about 5 years ago. I was an eye tech and we went to various villages like Shungnak, Kobuk, Point Hope, and I think another village or two giving out prescriptions for glasses and doing eye exams. We were "based" out of Kotzebue for the 2 weeks and we'd fly out to each village on a bush plane. It was an amazing experience and the native alaskans up there were great people. They were very nice and generally somewhat shy around us. The only exception is that there was a young black girl in her teens (I believe in Point Hope) who refused to take off her beanie. She had it pulled down really low onto her face and we needed it to come up a little. She was very hesitant to do that and I was really curious why. Turns out that she was being bullied by other girls at the village. They would tear her hair out in clumps. That's why she refused to take off the beanie. I assumed it was a racial thing but I was told it wasn't. Still, I came away very impressed with the people, the area, and their lifestyle. I definitely saw the appeal in all of it, but didn't have to deal with the harsh winters or anything. I was up there around September so it was chilly, especially when the wind would blow, but not so bad that someone living in Florida at the time couldn't take it. I took as many pictures as I could up there but by the time we got to Point Hope, my batteries would only let me take a couple pictures of the village. The pictures I did take are pretty boring as they are really just to help my memory with what the villages looked like. I didn't label these images from village to village but I think these are from Point Hope (obviously the post office is).

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/1123/02018tl5.jpg

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/5461/02119ds8.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/52/02220zn1.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6855/02321lu0.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/4285/02422cy1.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1431/02523gp4.jpg



I would also like to say that I'm definitely no photographer. I was searching for a good map image of how far north Point Hope is and came across this thread and felt compelled to reply. If any of those kids are familiar to you, tell them Senior Airman Strigle says "Whats up". They will have no idea who that is, but it doesn't matter. The time I spent up there was amazing and I hope everyone is well up there.

[Majik Imaje]

WALRUS for supper time takes a great deal of preparation !! This is a skill that only the Inupiat people possess. I have no idea which end is which !

http://majikimaje.com/MONTHS/july24/foodW.JPG

The only thing I am interested in are the three sets of tusks from those three walrus he got earlier in the day.
http://majikimaje.com/MONTHS/july24/foodW2.JPG

Rebecca Brower and her husband hard at work preparing food for the freezer. Filling up all the freezers for the long dark cold winter is first priority in the summer time. Stock up on food, from the ocean, and some from the rivers, some from the land and the air also with many varieties of birds, ducks, geese, owls. Soon it will be time for picking berries.

http://majikimaje.com/MONTHS/july24/tuskW.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/MONTHS/july24/tuskW2.JPG

BELIEVE IT OR NOT : See those whiskers? that are very hard and are often used in sewing as a "needle" they are that sharp and hard enough to use for that purpose !! Quite a 'pin cushion' eh ?

[Majik Imaje]

I went to Point Hope, AK about 5 or 6 years ago during a humanitarian trip that I signed up for while I was in the Air Force. My memory is fuzzy on a lot of it because my memory sucks and it was about 5 years ago. I was an eye tech and we went to various villages like Shungnak, Kobuk, Point Hope, and I think another village or two giving out prescriptions for glasses and doing eye exams. We were "based" out of Kotzebue for the 2 weeks and we'd fly out to each village on a bush plane. It was an amazing experience and the native alaskans up there were great people. They were very nice and generally somewhat shy around us. The only exception is that there was a young black girl in her teens (I believe in Point Hope) who refused to take off her beanie. She had it pulled down really low onto her face and we needed it to come up a little. She was very hesitant to do that and I was really curious why. Turns out that she was being bullied by other girls at the village. They would tear her hair out in clumps. That's why she refused to take off the beanie. I assumed it was a racial thing but I was told it wasn't. Still, I came away very impressed with the people, the area, and their lifestyle. I definitely saw the appeal in all of it, but didn't have to deal with the harsh winters or anything. I was up there around September so it was chilly, especially when the wind would blow, but not so bad that someone living in Florida at the time couldn't take it. I took as many pictures as I could up there but by the time we got to Point Hope, my batteries would only let me take a couple pictures of the village. The pictures I did take are pretty boring as they are really just to help my memory with what the villages looked like. I didn't label these images from village to village but I think these are from Point Hope (obviously the post office is).

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/1123/02018tl5.jpg

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/5461/02119ds8.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/52/02220zn1.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6855/02321lu0.jpg

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/4285/02422cy1.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1431/02523gp4.jpg



I would also like to say that I'm definitely no photographer. I was searching for a good map image of how far north Point Hope is and came across this thread and felt compelled to reply. If any of those kids are familiar to you, tell them Senior Airman Strigle says "Whats up". They will have no idea who that is, but it doesn't matter. The time I spent up there was amazing and I hope everyone is well up there.


Now you know why I stay in the Arctic. This is paradise of the north !! Although I live in Barrow now, I still miss Point Hope immensly !!

Well in the first photo.. er second photo the boy on the far left is Barney Stone, the boy on the far right on top of someone's shoulders is young Erin Tyler. Erin is on top of (Carl Logan) Erin saved Robert Kingik's life in 2007 when Robert drove his snowmachine off the ice into the ocean and almost drown. That 11 year old (at the time) saved a 27 year old man from drowning !!

The single boy looking out the window is Charlie Tuzroyluk

The big fence is the snow fence which stops drifts of snow from burynig some of the homes in the village. Before that 9 foot tall fence was erected, 30 - 40 foot drifts of snow in the village was very common !! Now we do not get those huge drifts when the wind blows !!

Thanks for the photos.. !! yes everyone of those images is Point Hope !!

[Majik Imaje]

Fall Whaling in Barrow Alaska - Top of the world.
Last year fall whaling started on October 4th and this year it was the same.
Here are a few images of what happened during the first three days.

Fredrick Brower is the whaling captain for the crew we are on.

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/road.JPG
At first light we were ready to go.. gear is all packed and we head out to the beach to launch the boat.
Fall whaling is much different than spring whaling. In the spring time April - May we are living out on the ocean ice and using skin boats.
Fall whaling uses the big boats with massive horsepower to tow a whale, and you might remember that a bowhead whale weighs an amazing TON per foot !!
George Ahmoakaq has the largest boat in town with twin 350 horse outboard engines. He can easily tow two whales with his powerful craft.

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/road3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/road5.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/sunset.JPG

The captain whose crew we are on, broke down, many miles out to sea, Search & Rescue had to be called, they came out to tow us back to the village where repairs were made and then back out to sea.

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/SnR.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/water3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/whale.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/water2.JPG
We stopped to assist and help these crews rig the whale for the trip back to the village.
As each crew reaches the whale, they are given shares in the order in which they reached that location. The amount of shares, and the size of the shares depends on which order you reach that crew !

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/whale2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/FW800/rig.JPG
http://majikimaje.com/FW800/rig2.JPG
http://majikimaje.com/FW800/rig3.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/slushice.JPG
We have a 'crisis' on our hands, what to do ? Forty tons of food is stuck on / in a sandbar of sorts.

http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/waiting.JPG
Four boats could not budge that whale, engines were overheating, something had to be done
http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/whale.JPG
A solution was proposed, and This crew, Fredrick Browers crew had been chosen for the up coming task as hand.
Four very powerful boat could not move this whale, they tried and tried for over an hour. something had to be done,
http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/stuck.JPG
The craft we are on, was the chosen vessel, to ram that whale again and again, while the other three boats tried in vain to move it during a synchronous effort,

Finally, after about 45 minutes the whale managed to move into deeper water and was towed away through the slush ice that was beginning to form all around us. The whale is towed backwards, the flippers and flukes are removed, these are the prized portion(s).
http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/P1100053.JPG
It sure beats standing in line in a grocery store !

It was a long hard day, from 8 am till 8 pm we finally brought the whale in and people were waiting for us !! More photos to follow & follow !!
Thanks for taking the time.!!
Gotta rest for a bit and process some more images !!
http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/P1100048.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Everyday is an adventure here in the Arctic, you are the ONE that determines - what the 'day' will be like. Where do you want to go ? what do you want to do ? the arctic is yours, go out there and explore, you WILL come back with stories that no one will believe, you will witness nature.. alone, no buildings, nothing made made to speak of, your view in all directions, is clean, pristine, and full of surprises !! 10,000 lakes, flat flowing tundra, and off in the distance some 100 miles or so give or take.. the Brooks Range, on a clear day, it is spectacular.
Jesse received a 'share' of the whale, for all the work he did while on Fredrick Browers crew, this chunk was the small piece, the bigger pieces came three days later from a different whale.
Here ya go, prep it up !!
How to prepare ?? A very sharp Ulu knife, lots of cardboard, the traditional manner in which to prepare native foods.


http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/maktak2.jpg
slice, cut, and make individual size pieces to be boiled, this is too fresh to eat in the traditional manner, (raw & frozen). This has to age for a while, but for those who can't wait. Boil it for 1/2 hour or so, until all the pieces are floating, then it is ready to eat, with french's mustard !!!

http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/MAKTAK.jpg
This is no easy task as you can see, by her 'grip' . flammable oil ! coats her hands making the task extremely slippery & messy !!
these ulu's have to be sharpened many times, while doing this difficult (happy) work !!
an ulu is only sharpened on one side only. Usually the preferred method is a special 'rock'. Here is has to be done the ol fashioned way, using a file !!
http://majikimaje.com/FW-2-800/boilMaktak.jpg
It still beats standing in line at a grocery store !! This food means something very special, and for the question I get asked most often:
what does whale taste like. ?? I can only say, it doesn't taste like any thing I can describe, cept rubbery maypo & clams !! sorta !!

[Majik Imaje]

and it is darn cold out. camera on tripod, waiting in that ever present wind.... .. waiting.. some times I feel like a complete jerk out here, freezing my ASA / ISO off big time !!

but the results are often worth the wait. !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sset02.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sset03.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sset04.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sset05a.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sset06.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/sset07.jpg

What happens when you bring your camera in from these extreme temps of 40 below zero and colder (w/wind chill)?? ??

The camera 'sweats" for hours, I usually place the camera on a thick towel to sux up the water as it drips from every location on that camera.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/camera.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Hired me to create images of 23 of their construction projects in Barrow, I am going to take the time to post some of these images here.

My purpose for this is to inspire you.. .. to think !! How to take something plain, and create a stunning work of "Art" that the customer is willing to purchase.

IN less than 2 1/2 weeks, I made $14,000 from this one little job !!!

.. .. and over the years, a ton more, from selling some of the images that are "mine" ... ... .. created by mua.

Just outside of Barrow sits this drill rig, . .. .. .. drilling for OIL !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/Oil-rig.jpg


The weather station .. .. ?? How to make it .. look spectacular ??

This was my attempts to convince the customer. They loved it !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/ws.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/ws1.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Sometimes... .. obtaining food.. .. good meat, is easy, and extremly cheap.

Caribou meat is delicous.. there is absolutley NO FAT. !! Grind up about three pounds and fry it.. the amount of fat will be less than 1/2 teaspoon !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/sset02.jpg

Fresh food right outside your door.. .. in Point Lay Alaska.

A few bullets will fill up your freezer for the entire winter for a family of ten.

http://majikimaje.com/images/takeout.jpg

All that's left is a nice 'hood' ornament for whatever, and a nice warm skin for keeping your "Ickauq's" warm when sitting outside !!!

[bob swanson]

:thumb WOW!!!! I noticed in the beginning a young caucasian person in the tent. Who? Also is there anyway to get more personal info on you. Age, etc.
bsvirginian:D

[Majik Imaje]

In the begining.. .. there is an Eskimo woman in a tent.. Her name is Emily Lane.

I am 61 years young. she is Inupiaq, I am caucasian (Italian) from Boston.

My Blog will give you far more info about me / us and our life in the Arctic.

Thanks for taking the time !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/JoeO.jpg

Reflections are a great way to add some creativity to your images, make use of them.. .. when possible !!


http://majikimaje.com/images/umiaq1.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Here.. .. we are located some 7 miles out on the frozen ocean ice pack, the ice has cracked open and the lead is visible, now animals will migrate through the lead opening! We wait.... this is much more exciting than standing in line @ some grocery store !!
http://majikimaje.com/images/ice2.jpg
We harvest 'animals' for our food supply, these animals do not fit into the frig or freezer,
So what do you do with the food ???
(chuckle) !!
http://majikimaje.com/images/seals5.jpg
125 of a sec @ 5.6 100 Iso ! I know these values.... I do not need a light meter to tell me how to set up my camera !!
Back lighting is the most dramatic lighting available, but also the most difficult to expose properly.
I only require one frame of film !!

[Majik Imaje]

Yep, he is here, all frozen with frozen reindeer or caribou !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/SANTA.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Out on the frozen ocean ice pack, some 7 miles out, it is pure quiet, the sound of the wind, ice cracking, and peace & quiet everywhere for miles in every direction, Unless someone harvests an animal and begins to dress it or prepare it for transport back to the village, Once the smell of blood escapes that animal, Sea Gulls magically appear by the thousands out of no where.
they walk around looking to scavange some portion of the scraps.
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls.jpg
.. .. .. and what does a 5 year old boy do, when he is bored out here ? Why, try to set a trap & catch a sea gull !!
Aquiilaq, is this young boys name, He had me laughing for a long time, making a loop out of rope and waiting patiently for a sea gull to step into the loop.
He gave up, after a couple of hours, I sat down to take his place.
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls2.jpg
It is late in the evening (chuckle) as in about 11:30, you can tell by the 'warmth' of the light.
That dumb bird finally walked over and stepped in and took the bait I had laid out inside the loop of rope, YANK as he stepped in and the bird became 'air-borne'. I reeled in the slack and gently caressed the bird in my huge mittens and went to the nearest tent.
I asked what are you cooking to night ? they said nothing, we are cleaning up. I said (as I extended my arms.) How about some sea-gull soup ???
they all said Yuk and laughed. OH well time to let this bird go, but first I have to give it to Aquiilaq, and show him what a great job I did .. .. in not giving up !!
Aquiilaq is trying to sneak up on his prey. they flew away ! (chuckle)
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls3a.jpg
He was so suprized when I had that bird flying at the end of the rope after making the initial catch.
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls3.jpg
I gave the rope over to him to release the bird.
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls4.jpg
All in all it was a good photo opportunity, something a bit 'different'
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls5.jpg
Just a little something to break up the slow part of the day, midnight here in the arctic is wonderful,
you can tell by the long flat shadows that it is very late in the evening .. ! just one long continous day that lasts for over 3 1/2 months with no darkness ever !!
http://majikimaje.com/images/gulls6.jpg
Disclaimer, no birds were hurt or injured in photographing this event ! but we had some fun for a short time, @ 30 below zero !!

[Majik Imaje]

It is not un-common for people to break down here in the village, there is always someone to help.

http://majikimaje.com/images/breakdown.jpg

But as you have heard me say many times, anything can happen at any time without any warning here in the arctic, or anyplace else in the world for that matter, but when your out on the ocean ice, alone, and your machine breaks down, now you have real problems, unless your traveling with an 'expert'.
We are preparing to get some supplies from the village for our crew out here on the ice. And as usual I have my regular spot for this ride, not on the snowmachine, but on the ever dreaded sled of pain & bumps and snow sprayed in my face as we travel along.
http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny1.jpg
Well for this trip, I can take you along, with the miracle of the internet, I can show you, what happened, and how the disabling problem was ingeniously fixed and repaired, many miles out on the frozen ocean ice pack.
http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny1a.jpg
We are headed to camp to pick up a passenger to bring back to the village, we enounter some problems

http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny2.jpg
The left ski, the support or linkage to steer it properly, broke, the ski is warbling all over the place and Joe cannot steer the machine. So we have to stop, assess the damage and see what or how HE can get this machine working again. Anything can happen, and it just did. How do you fix a snowmachine, out here, in the middle of no where, I am puzzled and thinking, oh oh.. we gotta walk for miles, many miles.. Joe laughs

http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny2a.jpg
He walks over to the sled, and breaks a piece of wood, from the frame.. .. this I just gotta see.. .. click , click
How clever.. !!


http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny3.jpg
Taking a knife out of his pocket, Joe begins to cut a notch in one of the ends of the wood.
http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny4.jpg
He fits this notch into the right hand 'good' ski, Marks it and then begins to notch the other side.
Make one ski.. .. do the work of both, by tying them together. That is simple and yet brilliant, I
do not think I would have ever thought about that.
http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny5.jpg
Aquiilaq is having fun as usual, always making the best in every situation.

http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny6.jpg
Finally it is all tied off, tested, and off we go.. back on the trail
http://majikimaje.com/images/jrny-end.jpg
Whew, we finally made it back to the village, we see the first signs of 'land' and the exciting feeling of almost being home.. .. .. .. Ahh.. finally, a nice hot shower, and change clothes before we head back down.. .. to paradise in a frozen ocean ice pack, in the middle of the Chukchi Sea !!
There is no way I can possibly describe the 'feeling' of being out there, for extended periods of time, I can only show you what it looks like, and yes, it is darn cold, but you see absolutly no sign of that, by looking at the people and their expressions. happy happy happy people !! Food shopping in the arctic.. This is 'take out' food in the extreme !!

[Kennyb]

I could spend at least another week reading all this! I'm loving it and feel as if I'm learning by the minute! This has been the best post I've ever read on any forum on any site! Thank you soo much for posting your life's work and the wonderful people that have befriended you! This is truly priceless and incredible to read and see. :thumb
Ken

[Majik Imaje]

From the Top of the World - Barrow Alaska - Happy New Year from the Arctic !!



http://majikimaje.com/barrow/collage.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/barrow/fwbrw2009.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Thanks for those comments; I have done my job well to deserve so much of your time !!

I have literally thousands more photographs to post here, with more stories of the Arctic and the wonderful Inuupiaq people of Alaska !!

[Majik Imaje]

HERE COMES THE SUN !!! (finally) !!
In Barrow Alaska, top of the world, the sun dipped below the horizon on November 18th, it rose today for the first time in 2009 !!
http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/hurry.jpg

On the roof, of the Suvat Center, trying to capture images of the upcoming sunrise.

http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/cab.jpg

You would never think it is almost NOON here in Barrow, but that is the time of day !!

http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/1130.jpg
11:30 a.m. Barrow Alaska, we had to leave this site because they close @ noon !!

http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/barrow.jpg
People busy about their business walking, driving, the temp is 40 below w/ 20 mph winds


http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/city.jpg

Here comes the SUN .. .. (insert music here) !!
http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/rise.jpg

For the very first time in 2009 - we finally see the SUN !!!

http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/1st-2009.jpg

Now there is enough light for a while, to dig out this old tent and begin to get ready for the spring hunt (soon) !!
4 cameras on 4 different crews this spring hunt will bring you right out on the ice, to enjoy the beauty and splendor of the frozen far north, gathering food !!
We will be creating movies, images and I am sure there will be a lot of stories that are all easily verifiable !!
Stay tuned to this ongoing thread of life in the Arctic ! I promise you spectacular images .. .. ;)

http://majikimaje.com/800-sun/dig.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Yes it is great to see the sun again, longer days, more time to be outside instead of sitting at this computer.

Lots to do to get ready for whaling in a couple of months, we are all looking forward to this next spring hunt, four of us are on four different crews to create images and make movies, (fingers crossed).


http://majikimaje.com/images/iceboat.jpg

Ice must be cut and brought back to the village, from 100 miles round trip to the kupak river, wood needs to be gathered, along the coast on the north side of the village (Point Hope), food cleaned out from the siglauq, (sig -lock) and of course fuel, sicpan (seal blubber).

After the long dark winter, everything must be cleaned and that takes a lot of time, this is not something that is accomplished in a week or two, it takes major time and effort.

http://majikimaje.com/images/woodsled.jpg

Again we go through the routine, of doing daily chores outside, for the task at hand, this is the most exciting time of year coming upon us, (whaling villages -9 )

Someone lost an Avatakpak, a seal skin filled with air, to be used to slow the whale down and to mark its location.

http://majikimaje.com/images/avatakpak.jpg

One of the Captains has his umiaq brought into the church to be blessed by the pastor.

http://majikimaje.com/images/inside.jpg

In 1961 ( a one time freak accident Pt. Hope), a whole crew died when a whale flipped the umiaq over.

This sad tragic incident is written in a book, I happened to just come across this story the other day, The name of the book is The Tigara Eskimos & Their Enviornment - page 27

Another book which will fascinate you about the 'ghosts' and little people and the 'spirits' that come around the bend is named PUIGUITKAAT

Each of these books and many others can be purchased from the North Slope Borough, much of what I explain is located in these books and from the hunters I have lived with for many decades !!

Although others may doubt the accuracy of these books, I have heard it stated that no western observer has witnessed any form of government before 1970 in Point Hope, that statement was obviously taken from a book that is no where near the truth. 1936 The Inupiaq people drafted their constitution with the help of the federal governement, In the Late 1800's Point Hope had a well organized goverment with tribal meetings and infrastructure.

[Majik Imaje]

Well we don't have vampires here in Barrow, but something a bit different that I have tried to explain earlier ! Tuttuu Man ! and other assorted small things (http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?t=24044)
Well, let me show you how it is now today here in Barrow (lightwise) !!
This was created @ 10:17 a.m. today (feb 5th) - our days are noticably much longer, Dec/Jan are the worst months. Practically the entire day is darkness - 22 1/2 hours of it ! (rough estimate). don't hold me to minutes and seconds. But that is a very good general idea of what we face.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/1017.jpg
Yesterday @ 2:00 in the Afternoon, opening my front door to get the stink out of our shop / house because of the smell of sanding and grinding / cutting of baleen.. PeeeeeUUUUUUUUUU. There must be a way to bottle this odor and sell it on e-bay (whale fart) OMG !!!
RIPE !!!

http://majikimaje.com/feb800/outside1.jpg

Temp is about 30 - 40 below depending on the wind, I go for walks and photo opportunities a few times a week, trying in a create manner to display the Inupiaq way of life that is 'visible' when merly walking about the village.


http://majikimaje.com/feb800/outside2.jpg
I do not touch anything or alter what I see, I merely create and record what I see that catches my attention.


http://majikimaje.com/barrow/usa.jpg

Arigah (good) Barrow dialect - Adiga = good Point Hope dialect !
This scene cracked me up and took my breath away, seriously, I got stuck in knee deep snow attempting to get closer to this location of all the snow machines and sleds and umiaqs that are lined up in the back of the condemed Arctic Hotel, my house is just kitty corner to the left of that hotel, It is closed because it was seriously lacking safety code and is not fit to live in, I came to that conclusion very quickly when I lived in that hotel for two months in 1996 when working @ the Barrow Power plant installing the controls for two new huge generators. You can easily tell how windy it is out in this image by the wind sock !! It was @ least 45 below, not counting chill factor of the wind, I didn't make it too far this day, I had no protection for my face, and after an hour outside, it was time to head on home and warm up. sit down and post away !!


http://majikimaje.com/barrow/parkinglot.jpg

An all too familar Whaling Captains Crew Logo - Me and my sons will each be on different crews this spring, loaded to the max with cameras and memory cards.
I hope to add spectacular images/videos of this years hunt to this ongoing popular thread of "High in the Arctic .. Eskimo !!" Home sweet home @ 50 below zero.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/benitta.jpg

[geospatial_junkie]

Absolutely terrific photojournalism. I am eagerly anticipating your next entry. :thumb

[Majik Imaje]

Absolutely terrific photojournalism. I am eagerly anticipating your next entry. :thumb

Thank you for your wonderful comment, I have done my job well to deserve such rich praise for my work !!

Whaling is about to begin - again - 2009, Everyone is busy getting ready, The trails have to be cleared and hand chopped by hundreds of people.

This thread is all about ONE function.

Obtaining FOOD !!

That is the one main point. Working very hard, to obtain food !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/getfood.jpg


and from time to time, I will attempt to sit down and wait for the food to come to me, !!!

http://majikimaje.com/images/megun.jpg


Stay tuned, More photos are being created as we get ready for our 8th documented whale hunt in the Inupiaq Arctic of Alaska !!:thumb

[Chrissiebeez_NL]

and from time to time, I will attempt to sit down and wait for the food to come to me, !!!

http://majikimaje.com/images/megun.jpg


This is surreal.. :D love it!

[Milan]

Thanks for sharing your photos and experiences in this wonderful thread. :thumb
I keep coming back for more.

[Majik Imaje]

Spring Hunt - Whaling - Barrow Alaska - Top of the World - 2009

Now it is time, finally, to make the final preparations to begin whaling !!
Inupiaq whaling from the TOP OF THE WORLD - Barrow Alaska.
http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/sled-clean.JPG
The days are cold, crisp, and refreshing. At the house of Whaling Captain - Johnathan Levitt - Sleds are dug out of the snow, cleaned off and make ready to head out to the ocean ice.. to ... .. BREAK TRAIL !!
This is it, hard back breaking work, for hours & days upon end, It is no easy task to break trail.
We received invites from The President of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling commission who is also a board member of the Internation Whaling Commission - Euguene Brower !
Day one was a 'test' to see and determine what type of workers the captain has on his crew.
My 3 sons returned home some 14 hours later, worn out, sore, tired, and sunburned on their faces !
Today, back out on the trail, they have a 15 foot high pressure ridge to go through, The Captain said, no sense going around it, lets just remove the whole thing and go right through it !
http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/trail.JPG
Photos and perhaps the video of this job will be available tonight when I process the images the boys create using my eyes, today ! I say (my eyes) becuase I have spent 20 years teaching them, how to see, how to compose, so in essense they create in the exact same manner in which I have created over the last 40 or more years.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/trail2.JPG
Searching - to find the best path. The huge ice piles are many miles out on the frozen ocean ice pack.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/trail3.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

My second oldest son - Mark Andrew, sporting a brand new pair of bunny boots. All my sons purchased new boots this year. This is Mark's second whale hunt, Jesse's second, and Khristophers second as well. Isaiah is still back in Point Hope with his four Inupiaq children - 3 daughters and one son - Isaiah Jr. !

http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/mark.JPG

That parky he is wearing is one that was made for me by Rosemary Oviok in 1981 !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/empty-barren.JPG

The campsite(s) will be set up, many miles out there, where the lead forms. Where does that happen ? It is different each and every year. It depends on the thickness of the ice, the wind, and of course the temps


http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/cremem.JPG

There is much about the ocean Ice that I do not understand. But after being on more than 5 whale hunts I have leanred a few basic things about the ocean ice. It is always moving, markers have to be placed way out there, and other markers to line up to see which way the ice is shifting after many days. Even though they cannot see 'open' water from here, it is easy to find, just by looking at the clouds in the sky. The darkness of the open water will create very dark looking clouds in the sky. The reflections from the ice make the clouds look much whiter on the bottom of their puffs than open water does. But for now, find a place to set up a camp site in the Captains favorite area(s), based on wind conditions, and distance to the place where the lead opens. For now, finding the right way to break this trail so as to get the job done

Day one was to test the crew, a lot of work had to get done on that first day, so there was little time to stop and use the camera. Work, hard work, chopping ice and moving ice and clearing a path, to transport materials. This pathway through the ice must be smooth, these machines have to make many trips back and forth, this creates excesive wear and tear on the equipment if it has to encounter 'rough' areas. A five mile ride will take hours at very slow speds of carefull navigation.




http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/cremem2.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

My sons informed me they have a 15 foot high pressure ridge to break through and remove, before and after photos will be posted tonight, and hopefully a video showing the amazing amount of work involved in breakin trail.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/um.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/searching.JPG


When you work 'hard' you sweat ! When you remove your hat - your head will freeze and frost up from the excessive moisture in your hair. IN other words - Keep your hat on !!
http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/travel.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/searching2.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

The work begins, right here !! 12 hour days of backbreaking incredibly hard work. This is the test. Lets see first hand, just how hard of a worker you really are. This is no place for bs. Hustle and get the job done !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-800/searching.JPG

No pay, hard work for days on end, for miles on end ! It is 30 below zero ! Work for the next 12 hours and make a smooth path - have a great day !

Now in your world, you go into a super market and pick the food from the shelves for what you want.

90% of the Inupiaq food that Inupiaq peoples hunt and eat, is gathered from the ocean !!

[Majik Imaje]

This is the test.. .. for whaling captains to determine who is a worker, and who will hold back from getting this important job finished as quickly as possible.
Once you are out there, there is no place to go to warm up, Bathrooms are plentful, just duck behind any large piece of ice !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/BT2-800/ADVANCE.JPG

Again I say, this is back-breaking work, non stop for long hours and the great part is.. there is no pay what-so-ever. Many miles of incredibly hard work, so the community can get their equipment out there - for one purpose - to gather and harvest - FOOD !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/BT2-800/ADVANCE2.JPG

Obtaining food, is dangerous here in the arctic. anything can happen at any time out on the ice pack with no warning at all. You must constantly be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of the wind and the direction, this is extremely important to understand.
How many miles ? We do not know yet, but a safe bet is that it will be between 5 miles - 20 miles, depending on the thickness of the ice. We have no idea where / when the ice will crack, that is determined by the wind and the flow of currents in the area.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/BT2-800/ADVANCE3.JPG

We have only finished two days worth of work, there are miles and miles to go.
How smooth does the ice have to be, smooth enough to transport supplies and get them there without the machines breaking down. Yesterday two machines broke down out there.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/BT2-800/BIG ICE.JPG

We do not go around obstacles, we go right through them, no matter how much work has to be performed
stay tuned, I have videos to post of these same images, I am going to put you right out on that ice with sounds and events never before seen !!

[Majik Imaje]

Video's !!
Now I can bring you out to the ocean ice.. .. and you can see first hand, the work involved.
Until I become better at creating these video's. This will have to do .. .. for now!
Out to the Ice (http://majikimaje.com/DVDVideoSoft/Breaking-Trail.html)

ENJOY !!

[Majik Imaje]

work work work, all day, most every day, for weeks on end, with no pay what-so-ever, take the time.. .. spend more than 5 seconds thinking about this, THE ONLY COMPENSATION.. .. is you get to eat ! These people are so happy, all of the time !! I have never met people like this.. so happy ! Staggering amount of work.

These photos show and tell the story quite clearly indeed !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/WORK.JPG

One person, a white man, who actually lives here in Barrow, claims I am not telling the truth about whaling. (chuckle) this person writes photo essays about whaling, from inside of his truck on land !! No wonder he doesn't believe me about the incredible hard work, out here, cutting a trail, right through the ice.

Well the truth is.. (he thinks).. That I am making this all up !
http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/ONWARD.JPG
The end of our progress so far, 5 miles out. cut right through all of this ice and keep going onward !! in these images you will often see people working with huge pieces of ice, why such a big piece ? to fill a very low area. it is much easier to throw a huge piece of ice into that void of lower ice, than to fill it with small pieces.




Long hard days, and some times, you just have to sit and take a break. These two gentlemen look quite comfortable, SITTING on the handle of the pick. you cannot see the shadow of the tool(s) in this image, but the most popular question, people always ask me, is where do you go to the bathroom out there? The answer is obvious !! Go behind any large piece of ICE !!!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/SIT.JPG

Finally we reach open water, we are very close, now to pick a spot to set up the camp site / tent and other associated details for the camp itself, lots more work to do, using GPS, we have determined we are 5 miles out. The wind, and currents are very strong, Ice bergs can be seen floating by, cruising about 20 mph. Two huge sheets of ice broke off, @ the point and we will not have to go the expected long distance. At the edge of the ice, it is only two feet thick, and that is not good. We need much thicker ice. In order for that to happen, we need the temps to drop to 40 or 50 below zero !
http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/OPENWATER.JPG
Steam, is clearly visible, coming up from the warmth of the water, ice bergs are visible lway out there, cruising by, much quicker than one would imagine, but with all the fog from the steam, and the distance, Well you will see.. soon in the next upcoming posts !!

so much more to follow, with thousands more images & videos !!

[Majik Imaje]

I can show you now, from the eye in the sky via GPS technology, the ice trails here in Barrow !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/BRWEYE.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/BRWEYE2.JPG


It is very cold out here today, actual temp 40 below, w/windchill we are below - 60 !
This is good, we need it to get very cold so as to make this ice much thicker,


http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/COLD.JPG

We have reached open water ! Much of the work we had finished recently is gone, swept out to sea.

Seals are visible in the water, close by.


http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/seal.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/seal2.JPG
THIS IS COLD !! VERY COLD, but I have in truth seen and been out in much worse weather than this, it is extremely crisp, and very refreshing with that 'bite' on any exposed skin !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/VERYCOLD.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Stories, stories, that is the #1 request from most people on all of the forums. Well you are all in for a treat today, I have two new stories of events that actually happened up here, out on the ice. (chuckle)

Ya just never know, what is going to happen out here. Last night we went out on the ice pack to check the trail we have been working on. We spotted polar bear tracks, in the snow, coming from Barrow - and headed out to the ice.

Unfortunately, we did not see this bear, the ice is a vast place and it is easy for a bear to hide.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-8-800/tracks.jpg


The two whaling captains I am with are Eugene & Charles Brower, as we were checking out the polar bear tracks, One of the captains told the story, .. .. " it was an evening just like this, we came out to check the trail and we were near the lead opening,

http://majikimaje.com/BT-8-800/tracks2.jpg

At the edge of the water, a polar bear was standing up, looking down into the water, the polar bear turned and walked a couple of steps and bent over to pick up a big large piece of ice, He picked it up, and then decided to put it back down and grabbed a much larger piece of ice, a huge piece, he walked over to the edge of the ice and waited and watched, he dropped the ice into the water, then he jumped in, these two captains were astonished to see the polar bear climb back on the ice and pull a 10 foot beluga whale out of the water !!

If you want verfication of this true story, just write, to Eugene Brower in Barrow Alaska, He is the President of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, he is also a member of the board of the International Whaling Commission. And perhaps the most respected Whaling Captain in Barrow !

I hear these stories and I am amazed, just as you are, but one thing that amazed these two hunters when they saw this was the intelligent thinking, that took place by that animal, to obtain food !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-8-800/harpoon-gun.jpg

One of the great things about whaling, is the story telling. Bizarre events of all types are retold up here, with much laughter. These are such happy people, unlike any I have ever met any other place in my limited travels about the east coast, the west coast and all over Alaska.

The other humous story was told about a whaling captain in Point Hope, who was up here, whaling with Barrow Captains, he was wearing a jump suit from work, overalls, he had to go to the bathroom out on the ice not far from camp, Well these same two whaling captains, happend to come upon his private spot and saw him looking around, this way and that way, looking for something, they asked, what are you looking for, ??? He laughed and said. I was going to cover up, what I just did, but I can't find it or see it on the ground, they each broke into huge laughter, as they saw the 'steam' coming from the 'log' in his hood !!!

[ian408]

That last bit made me laugh.

Interesting stories and for sure a tough life.

[Majik Imaje]

It is the greatest life ! and this time of year in particular is the greatest time of year. Excitement and laughter all day long for the next two months.

Camped out, on a frozen ocean ice pack, in freezing sub zero temps, sleeping outside - five miles from land, a 'picnic' in a very strange bizzare world that very few know anything about.

The first thing you become aware of (beside the wind and the cold) is the brilliant blinding sunlight and reflections all around you. Thick-dark sunglasses are a must, if unprepared you are going to suffer, your eyes will hurt, it is just too bright.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-K-800/CHARLES-BROWER.jpg
some of the ice chunks out here, do not appear to be large, until you see something - familiar near one !! As the ice advances towards land, it becomes obvious as the piles heap huge chunks upon one another


This trail has to be constantly groomed, flat. Knock down the high spots and fill in the low spots. That is the next phase, as we backtrack and widen this trail we have been working on for 10 days now.


http://majikimaje.com/BT-K-800/bigice.jpg


Today was cloudy which was a welcome relief from the blinding sunlight reflecting from the ice everywhere.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-K-800/wot.jpg


Open water, .. .. .. .. Yesterday, Eugene Brower, The President of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission in Barrow, received a phone call from Whaling Captain Rex Rock in Pt. Hope. Whales were spotted migrating through the lead, heading up to Wainwright / Barrow / Kaktovik !!

In about 4 days, we shall see these same whales pass by through the narrow lead opening.. .. .. FOOD is being delivered !! We wait, with much anticipated joy and excitement .

tisk tisk, tis a shame that you .. .. do not have this much fun when you go shopping for food !! (chuckle).

http://majikimaje.com/BT-M-800/open-water.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Open water, at the lead opening, the warm water, the steam, creates quite a dramatic effect !!

We are 5 miles out, it is very cold here, the wind is too strong, icebergs are floating by - about 20 mph !! - they are moving & crusing, this is quite the place to be, .. ..

I will show you sights, very few are able to record and photograph. !!



http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/steam3.jpg

For the last few days, it has been too cold, and much too windy,

So we wait, whales should be here any day,

A few days ago, Rex Rock - Whalilng Captain from Point Hope called the President of the Alaska Eskimo Whalilng Commission to inform him.. whales are migrating past the point in Point Hope !!

Images will be forthcoming, right from inside the umiaq !!

[Majik Imaje]

<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p>
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<o:p></o:p>

Caribou froze standing still at -80 with wind chill in Kuparuk, AK.<o:p></o:p>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><o:p> </o:p>









<CENTER>http://majikimaje.com/images/c1.jpg</CENTER>





<CENTER>http://majikimaje.com/images/c2.jpg</CENTER>





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[Majik Imaje]

I have learned so much .. from this culture, so much so, I never want to leave it.
It is not all of what it could be, there is always someone, to twist the knife in your back, Although I live in an eskimo community full of the greatest people, there is one person in this town, that is soon to be kicked out of this village, for the manner in which he insults the natives on the internet.
This is a white man, who is a self proclaimed expert of the arctic who hasn't even been here 10 years. he is the mistake sheriff if any one posts any infomation about barrow or whaling. He makes up bold face lies and makes vain attempts to change the truth by lying. This is one of the main reasons I moved up here, to get away from white people that have this GOD almighty self righteous attitude.


Moving on to prove a point about photography, Creating professional images DOES NOT REQUIRE: a top of the line brand name camera.


http://majikimaje.com/camera/front.JPG


BEHOLD.. .. the tiny toy camera(s), used to create these images !! My point is well proven beyond dispute, you do not need to spend huge amounts of money with a myrid of X-tra gadgets to produce professonal quality images.
http://majikimaje.com/camera/open.JPG

Believe it or not- this toy is capable of producing a movie of one hour in duration !! @ 320 X 240 - Lol.. wait... till the camps are set up, and we sit around for story time. I will do my best to provide you hours of side splitting laughter. The humor level is very 'high' out here on the ice, it is just themost exciting time of the entire year ! These next 8 weeks or so.. what ever it turns out to be, shall be full of awesome images depicting the Inupiaq way of life never before seen up close and this personal !!

http://majikimaje.com/camera/back.JPG

I got lots more images to post.. I am so glad you all enjoy the images for what they are and I will do my best to keep 'text' to an absolute minimum!
Believe it or not, this camera has photoshop built into it !! Most of the filters are present to enhance images, it can even put a smile on someone's face that refuses to smile !!!

[Majik Imaje]

Monday, April 20th. We are waiting for a phone call from our captains, (when they get off work). Beluga whales are beng harvested in Point Hope today. We should be setting up camp out on the ice tonight. photos will be forthcoming shortly - day by day- out on the ocean ice pack.

http://majikimaje.com/BT2-800/ADVANCE.JPG


We have a huge hole to fill out on the ocean ice. It is getting thin in some places.

http://majikimaje.com/BT2-800/FILL%20HOLE.JPG

Some of the crew members are not showing up for work, (chuckle) two crews - 16 people - ten are missing !!

These images should illustrate plainly why you could never get a bob cat out here.

http://majikimaje.com/BT2-800/FILL%20HOLE2.JPG

There, on the far left, is the captain, everyone is equal out here, everyone does the same work. There are 'NO LEVELS'. Everyone is treated the same (with respect). Everyone works, no matter who you are.


http://majikimaje.com/BT2-800/WA1.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Huge ice chunks are broken up, to fill this hole.

http://majikimaje.com/BT2-800/WA3.JPG

Getting ready to head back out..far out, many miles!
Can you believe this amount of difficult hard work, with no pay, for weeks on end,.. .. 'just to eat' !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-3-800/geting-ready.JPG

Here is a photograph is not too clear, it is very foggy outside. Notice, the person wearing shortcuts when it is Zero F - temp !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-3-800/short%20cuts.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BT-4-800/DIG.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

More images from breaking trail, the folder name BT-x is the day number of when this work was done. So far, we have 15 days of images of breaking trail !! Only a few have been posted so far.. continuing onward, through the ice

http://majikimaje.com/BT-4-800/DIG2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BT-4-800/MOVEIT.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/BT-4-800/SSET.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/BT-4-800/MOON.JPG

yawn ! long day ! adiga (good) Tavra - that's all!

[Majik Imaje]

Some of the crew members on this crew

http://majikimaje.com/BT-5-800/SLED.JPG
This is long hard days of nothing but work, with no pay, we need your help, each crew, cuts its own trail - 8 crew members plus the captain !!
and.. .. the boyer !!!
http://majikimaje.com/BT-5-800/TIRED.JPG

Steam, from open water is visible miles away. Look at the bottom of the clouds!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-5-800/LOOK.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/BT-5-800/LETSGO.JPG

Check out the huge Polar Bear Mittens, lying on the ground, nearby, when your hands become frozen up! Three pair of mittens is what the Captain uses. Proper protection is needed or you are in for some hurting for certain. This is not like a construction job where you are allowed to go inside to warm up after 1/2 hour, We are out here for the full day, long days of 12 hours or more, we eat out here, we stay out here, working hard.. .. for no pay.. .. just the right to eat !! - and no one complains !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-5-800/PBM.JPG


The next pile(s) of ice, to be chopped up, spread out, smoothed out, fill in the low spots, chop down the high spots
Scouting up ahead, to see which path to take, A lot of planning goes into making this trail.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-5-800/scout.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Temperatures, what do we experience out on the ocean ice. These temps just might surprise you !
20 below zero with 30 mph winds = 53 degrees below zero
40 below zero with 30 mph winds = 80 below zero !!
When you are surrounded by ice on all sides for many miles, these temps out here can get quite uncomfortable. The slightest bit of wind, and you notice it, you feel it, you better be dressed correctly !!


http://majikimaje.com/windchill.gif

[Majik Imaje]

Find the people.. .. how many can you see / count ? Lets find 'waldo' !

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/arcticbarrenbeauty.jpg


The barren frozen beauty of the arctic is all around us. Spend time out here, then you might understand, if you are warm enough and comfortable. if your not, it is the most miserable harshest place on the planet !! Imagine that.. .. this is where we get our food, for thousands of years, but we have to really work - to gain access !! Constant thanks is given for that which we receive from the creator of all things.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/MARK1.JPG

Imagine that .. .. some people pay money to go to the gym - to work out !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/MARK2.JPG

This was day six, it was extremly cold as in 40 below w/ 30 mph winds or stronger. It was a long day, all the captains are very happy with the progress that has been made. We are more than six miles out on day six, but the wind broke off about two miles of the ice, back and forth on the trail, widening it to bring the skin boats and other supplies.
Just look, at the massive amount of ice that has been removed here, talk about hard work, for many hours on end.. .. just to eat - that is the only reward !! These crews, are in top physical shape to stay out here, day after day. This is the easy part, .. .. wait !! watch and learn what really goes on.. .. you would never have believed this, and the amount of work involved unless you have seen it with your own eyes, then you can get a small feel and indication of the massive amount of work that is done. for MILES .. .. .. .. .. !! 'let that sink in for more than ten seconds .. ' !! Everyone is smiling, happy, and no one complains.. well that is much differenet from the people I have worked with in construction.. it is constant complaining from people that are receiving money for doing all their work. what a difference in cultures. This is what keeps me here in the Arctic - People that are content and happy with no complaints, full of thanks and praise all day long.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/MARK3.JPG


Everything that man does.. .. .. is for his mouth !! (King Solomon) !!

[Majik Imaje]

This is work, and it is very cold out !!
the heat you need, is in the tools you are using !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/MASSIVE.JPG

This was day six, and it is wicked cold, the worst ever !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/TRAIL.JPG

Just look at how people are dressed, it is brutal - that wind will cut you up on exposed skin (face)
frostbite is an understatement, the skin bets burned, it turns black and takes 3 months to heal properly.
just like a razor blade was dragged across your skin, that is what that wind is like, it hurts !
http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/HIGH.JPG

Break time - miles and miles to go.. .. .. day after day .. .. .. !

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/ice-moustache.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/SLUSH-ICE.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/days-end.jpg

The overwhelming quiet - & peace & freedom, the only sound(s) are the wind, the cracking ice, and your 'thoughts' !!
This is the paradise of the north - that very few ever get to experience !!
http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/SLUSH.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/GIANT-ICEBERG.JPG

These giants are crusing past us at perhaps 20 mph or faster !!

[Art Scott]

What a post...really like this adventure........:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow: bow:bow:bow:bow:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thum b:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb
:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap :clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap

[Majik Imaje]

Here is where we get 80% of our food, from the ocean, seals (4 types) whales 2 types - Oogruk, walrus, fish to numerous to mention, along with ducks, geese, birds of all types, and so much more. We wait, and food is delivered !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/seal.JPG
Charles Brower !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/CB.JPG

Hey ! take my picture !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/seal2.JPG

Another day is over, in the land of the midnight sun !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-7-800/G-NIGHT.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

One umiaq is brought into the church, for the traditional Blessing of the boats - prayers for the safety of the crews and individuals involved. This four hour service was packed !! Many people got up to speak, among them was Eugene Brower. Much was said about work !! The need for hard workers to get the job done. Fredrick Brower is seated to the left, you can see part of his seal skin vest. All whaling captains are wearing seal skin vests for this occasion.
http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/BLESSING.JPG
Getting ready to go back out on the trail to work, it is very cold today, Khristopher is wearing some very warm polar bear mittens. Keeping your hands warm in sub zero temps with high winds is easy, if you have the right materials !! Fredrick Brower uses 3 pairs of mittens, one on top of the other to keep his hands warm when it is extremely cold !! Layers, lots of loose layers is the secret to keeping warm. (one of the secrets). There are many others, such as the type(s) of food eaten.
http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/POLAR-BEAR-MITTENS.JPG
Notice the braided yarn harness, just take your mittens off, cross them behind your back, and the harness will keep them ready for when you need to put them back on !!
Today, was an overcast day, much to the relief of our eyes, That sunlight bouncing and reflecting off all the ice, is blinding indeed, it is a much welcome relief to have grey skies for a while.
http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/OVERCAST.JPG
But the one draw back with overcast skies, is the contrast is so low, it is difficult to see changes in the surface of the ice, until it is too late, so , we proceed slowly, cautiously.
A meeting of the captains - Eugene Brower is speaking to Thomas Brower of which part of the trail to widen.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/EnT.JPG
There is one thing that is very easy to accomplish out here. Notice the can of POP ! Ice cold, never a problem getting your pop cold out here. Just do not forget it because they will freeze in no time at all !!
Everyone works- as a team effort - Even if you are the President of the A.E.W.C. everyone is part of the TEAM - there are no levels out here, everyone is treated in the same manner. Everyone pitches in to get the job finished !!

[Majik Imaje]

work work work, mile after mile, day after day, no pay !! Just the right to eat, and no one complains !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/MEETING.JPG

Notice the seal skin gloves on Eugene Brower !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/WORK1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/WORK2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BT-11-800/WORK3.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Tuesday, we are still n the village, west wind is still blowing. We need that west wind to increase. We need the temps to drop. Alapa Anaui 'Cold & windy.
That ice that on the other side of the lead, has to advance with much force to jam this ice together to make it stronger and thicker. The higher the pressure ridges, the safer and more solid the ice is. The work load increases, but that is not a problem, - happy days full of laughter !!

In the background is Ben Itta's Truck with his logo and name. This captains gear in the foreground is ready to be taken out to the ice when conditions improve. The caribou skins are for sitting, on the sled @ camp. There is one sled in the tent, and one sled @ the lead opening itself.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-12-800/SKINS.JPG

Instead of caribou skins and or other animals fur, this captain has his sled loaded with blue insulation, very warm for sitting for long periods of time, waiting, the days will soon be filled with excitement and much hunting and harvesting of food for the many familes of this and other communities.
Believe it or not, some of this food is sent to amost every one of the lower 48 states, and even to some countries around the world !!
Naqkupak !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-12-800/INSUL.JPG

Checking out equipment and getting everything ready to head on out.

http://majikimaje.com/BT-12-800/MOUNT.JPG

The outboard motor is mounted on the umiaq !

http://majikimaje.com/BT-12-800/OUTBOARD.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Wednesdays news : It is not good, We have West wind, we are still in town, west winds are predicted to last all week long, We need those winds to increase in speed and strength. It needs to get much colder, we need much thicker ice.
Problems have risen out on the ice and Eugene Brower is a bit upset from other crews using his trail, 5 crews were stopped last night and told to get off that trail, (they did not help) Eugene spent a lot of money to have his trail prepared, he has already gone through 3 - 55 gallon drums of fuel.
The captain foots the bill for the entire crew. Fuel, ammunition, food. (and other supplies if necessary).
Two miles out on the trail, Eugene encounters a young white man with his girl friend and some small children on a snow machine on his trail. "What are you doing out here? You are not allowed here, especially so far out alone, Oh ! the young man said.. we are just joyriding. Eugene glared - Polar bears are roaming about out here, and you do not even have any weapons??. GET OFF THIS ICE NOW !! This is not a tourist attraction !!
Each crew is responsible to break their own trail; not to take over someone else's trail. in Point Hope there are 20 whaling captains & crews, I am not sure of the exact number of captains and crews here in Barrow but I will acquire that information asap.

My favorite photo of breaking trail was set up and posed, these two captains are really sitting on the pick handle(s), the picks were carefully arranged so as not to show the picks or any shadows. This is straight out of the camera, no photoshop !!

http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/SIT.JPG

The most photographed site in Barrow, the jaw bone arches of a huge bowhead whale !
What most people do not know, is that these were erected in 1964, by people from Point Hope !
Ron Oviok told me the story one day, and I was very surprised to hear what he had to say. The people in Barrow wanted to erect these bones, but did not know the proper procedure, a call was made to Point Hope and some people came up to do the job !!

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/barrowarches2.jpg

1934 is when these villages drafted up their constitution for village government.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/skull-of-whale.jpg

The skull of a bowhead whale, I think there are 4 of these throughout the village.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/skull-of-whale-closer.jpg

Word just came over the phone, we are possibly headed out tonight @ 8:00 P.M. to begin whaling !!

[Majik Imaje]

It is way too hot, the captain said, if this keeps up, we will not go whaling, the ice is very thin at the lead opening as in inches not feet. Cold weather is expected Wednesday, i'm told. time will tell.

http://majikimaje.com/April-27-09-800/sled1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/April-27-09-800/sled2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/April-27-09-800/sled3.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/April-27-09-800/sled4.jpg

Whaling in Barrow is much different than whaling in Point Hope.
In Barrow the women stay home and do the cooking, food is brought out to the crews. In Barrow the tent is at the lead, and it is just for the hunters.
In Point Hope, women break trail also, women are on the ice at all times in the tents - cooking, the hunters sleep outside with no tents.
There are many other differences also - as we move along in the hunt I will point these differences out. Point Hope is the only village that still does everything in the traditional manner.

[Majik Imaje]

Monday evening @ 7:00 p.m. finally we are transporting the umiaq and other supplies out to the camp site, many miles out on the ocean ice pack, which is rapidly melting !!

http://majikimaje.com/April-27-09-800/026.jpg

The crew - and what they are about to do !! (EUGENE BROWERS CREW)
Transport all of this stuff, out through the trail down to the camp site !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/crew.JPG

You have no idea, what it involves and what it costs, to keep a crew, supplied out on the ocean ice pack - living for many weeks !!
empty your kitchen.. pack it up.. your going to need almost everything !!!
and you have.. no running water' to do the dishes for 15 people 4 times a day !!!!!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/load.JPG

We have arrived at our camp site, now lets setup the tent !!!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/start.jpg

This entire hunt, from breaking trail, setting up camp, the hunt - & inside the umiaq. day by day. is all going to be posted, to let you see first hand, what these people have to do - to eat !! The most incredible amount of backbreaking hard work you have ever imagined !! - and more !!

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/next1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/next2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/tent1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/tent2.jpg
Now we have one more thing to do to finish this job .. .. ..

[Majik Imaje]

The most important part.. .. we have to delegate someone, to test it !!! (chuckle)
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/testing.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/testing2.jpg
Camp site is working, all finished, some minor things, left to do.
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/camp.JPG
We are gaining, 12 more minutes of light, each day, The famous 'midnight sun' !!
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/sun.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

DEM - R - DUX
THOUSANDS of ducks pass by all day long, plenty of food to be harvested !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/ducks1.jpg


The hunters are the cooks !! Here in Barrow, there are no women in the tent - cooking & cleaning, it is just the hunters !!
& a boyer !!


http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/dux.JPG


Training starts very young out here on the ice, I guess you could say.. .. this is the lowest level !! (chuckle) !!


http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/boyer2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/boyer.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

ducks ducks ducks, all day long, every day for weeks !!!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/ducks3.jpg

As you can easily see, we are far from the lead, (which is closed).
Much more work to be done, clearing a trail out to the lead !! More work, lots of work to be done every day - by everyone - no one is excluded from this work !!
Cleaning and loading the shoulder gun !! This is the whaling captain . Fredrick Brower !! "BOMB PROOF" is his new nickname !! (chuckle) believe it or not. this man had a harpoon explode and go right through the palm of his hand ! Last fall, the exploding harpoon went off twice, with the safety on !! No one was hurt !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/clean.JPG
the ice on the sled is what is left of our drinking water !!

And .. .. ..The Video (http://majikimaje.com/MOVIES/clean/CLEANSGH.html) !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/clean2.JPG

And.. .. another VIDEO (http://majikimaje.com/MOVIES/BMB1/bmb.html)

When there is no room in the tent (full) then it is time to sleep outside !!
It is almost 5:00 a.m. !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/Mark.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

I was surprised to see, that they do not use home made wood stoves out here, when I asked why ? They laughed and said.. it takes too long to break down, when we have to evacuate because of advancing ice. NO fire to put out, no stove pipes to clean, no wood to gather and chop !!

Wow !! I bet the boyer sure likes that !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/heat.jpg

3 different crews, in our area, they asked permission to use the trail we made - Eugene said Yes ! but when people (5 crews) try to take it over, some people got very upset !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/crew-3.jpg

A happy hunter displays his first duck of the season !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/look.jpg

Charles is the cook, for tonights meal !!
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/Charles.jpg

(chuckle) and.. .. The Video (http://majikimaje.com/MOVIES/DUX-SOUP/ducksoup.html)!!

[Majik Imaje]

Time to get back to work on the trail !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/work.jpg

Here is one of the markers, that is sighted to determine which way the ice is moving. These are lined up in a row across a great distance, you need binoculars to see the 'line' of markers out here.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/marker.jpg

It is much to hot out here now, messy, and dangerous, it is very easy to fall through the ice. (fingers crossed).

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/messy.jpg

Jesse fell in once, a few years ago. ( in tghis exact spot) It was below zero, lucky for him he had a [pack pack nearby and changed, came home exhausted and fell asleep

http://majikimaje.com/images/BIGjesse.jpg

this was the image, that inspired me to name my blog "A BLOG OF ICE"
you can see an umiaq, in the background, waiting for a whale to give itself over to the captain ( it never happend) !!

[Majik Imaje]

Food for the inupiaq people(s), for over 3,000 years. Who else has a documented history of that length of time ?? wow !!!
Here is a flipper or fluke being brought out to the camp site from one of the whales that was caught last fall. This piece will feed the crew, small portions daily, for the many weeks we have left. but with this heat, I am very skeptical. We need strong East winds that are very cold.
30 below or colder.. ..

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/umiaq.jpg
The tail is all 'blubber, the fins, flukes, flippers are 100% blubber, the only meat, is on the chest, for a 25 foot whale - (teenager) about a wheel barrow full. Tavra (that's all).

Back to work, on the trail, from camp site to the lead. We do not know where, when it will break open again. We need strong cold winds ( to make the ice thicker).
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/btw.jpg

The ice is nice, and an overcast day is a welcome relief from the heat,
Notice the darkness on the bottom of some of the clouds, that is open water.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/openwater.jpg
The pristene magnificent world of ice, the light - changes things out here, colors, reflecting.
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/ice.jpg

Open water is easy to spot.. .. you got all day / night to look around, or take a walk to go seal hunting !!
After work is finished for the day .. .. work work work.. there is always something for everyone to do.

[Majik Imaje]

Open water is easy to spot.. .. you got all day / night to look around, or take a walk to go seal hunting !!
After work is finished for the day .. .. work work work.. there is always something for everyone to do.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/openwater1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/ice1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/ice2.jpg[img]

[img]http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/Sonsun.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

FOOD DELIVERY - all day every day, it flies in, swims in, walks in, ya just gotta be aware of what is going on around you.. .. in all directions !!
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/food-delivery.jpg

Smile: !!! :rolleyes:
http://majikimaje.com/CS-1-800/smile.jpg

The entire focus of this photo essay.. .. The Inupiaq peoples plight to obtain.. .. 'their food' !
To document with photos and text - Their activities out on the ocean ice. Most people have no idea what is involved, brief snapshots of time during the hunt. But to see it all, day by day, weeks of patience living out on that ice ! Working hard, and sometimes in very messy conditions.
The entire lifesyle, revolves around, the Mighty Bowhead Whale.
http://majikimaje.com/barrow/whalebones-childrenxed.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/SUN.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Polar bear tracks are spotted near our trail, we decided to follow them for about 1/2 mile

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/PB1.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/PB2.jpg
No sight of the bear yet, but these tracks are very fresh, the snow is melting, quickly, you can see the 'texture'
http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/PB3.jpg
Looks like this bear found some food, a seals den ??
http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/PB4.jpg
We never saw the bear, we headed back to camp.

[ian408]

I've followed your tale for a time now and am very appreciative of your telling it.

It's a great look into what, for most of us, is a very different way of life.

[Majik Imaje]

Charging up,through the sunlight, you easily become solar powered out here, as long as your outside in that blinding sunlight all day, you feel no effects of being tired, it is very easy to stay alert and awake for 3 days.
The only way to experience this solar power thing, is to be out here, 24/ 7
A few hours rest, and your good to go again.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/Rest.JPG
Tired boyer resting.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/tired.jpg

2 crews are now set up in our area.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/2crews.jpg

We wait, for the lead to open so we can make a trail from the camp site to the lead !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/umiaq.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Wait ! that is a large portion of the Inupiaq way of life, especially out here on the ice pack. Wait .. .. ..

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/look.JPG

Rest where you can, and when you can ! We still have to clear a trail from the tent site, to the lead opening, more work to do, every day, all day. If that wind shifts to west, we have to pack up and SCRAM. as quick as possible. Everyone is aware of the wind and which direction it is blowing. It is unbearable out here, when there is no wind. too hot. temps are above zero. everything is melting, the ice at the lead is about 5 foot thick. not near as thick as we would like it to be.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/rest1.JPG

Filling in water holes, markers are placed where additional work needs to be done.


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/markers.JPG

Wait, watch, look & listen.. .. .. all day !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/wait4me.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Everyone, even some of the youngest boyers, are armed. Shooting accidents are virtually non-existant out here, and even in the village, but the amount of fire-arms out here, is obvious. Everyone needs some type of weapon, to hunt. but yesterday, we missed our prized Kodak moment.
The hunter of the day - (chuckle) it all happend so fast, we had no chance to capture this with a camera.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/duck2.JPG

We were at the tent campsite, laid back, resting, this dude was lying on a sled, a flock of ducks flew so low over us, directly over us, in one swift movment, this boy's arm reached out grabeed a shovel and he jumped up in the air as high as he could, and batted a duck to the ground with one swift high arched swing !!. Hey how about that.. .. no bullets and I got another duck !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/humor.JPG

Two crews are spread out over a vast area, we come together, near the lead opening, to set up the camp @ the lead, then there is more work to be done
http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/trail3.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/work-trail.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

Take the time.. .. get some ice, and fill this water hole, let it freeze, then bust it up (smaller)

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/home.jpg

People insist I am crazy, when I state that you can see, the curvature of the earth from out here. BUT, I have no way to prove this, except to say, when you look to your right and then look to your lets, it is obvous.
This image sorta shows, but you need that wide view (left to right) to really see this. I sure laughed one night recently, when watching the history channel, speed records, in Utah, out far on the salf flats, they said.. .. " it is so flat out here, you can actually see the curvature of the Earth !! (chuckle).

More additions to the tent area, lash up and connect the VHF radio, now we can communicate with other crews and home base, in the village.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/antenna.jpg

Notice: the sleds, their position, it is critical, for when we have to evacuate the ice because of advancing ice. When it is time to killigvuk, everything is mass panic to get packed and get the hell out of here as quickly as possible, back to the safety of land. It is not a question of 'if' but a question of when !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/sleds.JPG
How many ? boats can you see ???

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/4BOATS.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Father & son portrait ! One of our young boyers !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/son.JPG

Look.. .. wait .. .. watch & listen - always be aware of the direction of the wind. Constantly, this is critical and most important, it can change, at any point in time.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/EMPTY.JPG

Yawn ! good morning !! Morning pow-wow meeting, plans are made for the day, people spread out all over the ice, 37 whaling captains and their crews.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/mpw.jpg
Just imagine the force needed to drive these huge chunks of ice upwards, the crashing noise they make as the ice advances towards your location, is a scary sight to see indeed, - killigvuk - run !!! I hope to get some videos of advancing ice, from a safe distance w/ sound! You will not believe this ice show !! Not unless you actually see and hear the grinding, crashing!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/bigice.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

It is getting messy, at places, we actually have to fill in these holes, chop ice, back to work, lots to do and acomplish to make this camp site safer.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/waterholes.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/crew-watch.jpg

You get the best tan in your life out here, with all the reflections of ice all around you, it takes about 3 days !! Just on your face and hands !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/tan.jpg

Ducks by the dozen .. .. (chuckle) .. A duck was shot, it did a nose-dive straight down - @ a 45 degree angle, crash - right into a slab of ice, it stuck, the beak, embedded into the ice, the face torn, still moving- quivering, it was grabbed and neck snapped. That actually happend, you will just not beileve some of these storeis associated with duck hunting. side splitting laughter. We have some videos, hopefully tonight I can get these processed so that you can hear-from the natives- their stories!!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/DBTD.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

A very young boyer - in training - two years old !!
It doesn't take long, for a little child to learn simple things out here, especially when they are out here.. .. 24 / 7 for weeks !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/2yrsold.jpg

At least he does't have to chop wood & use 'sicpan' !!

Tent site or camp site
Those are two different locations, for each crew!
Two different sleds are needed just for sitting. One at the lead opening, the other up at the tent site.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/lead2.jpg

This scene is timeless, ever changing, and never the same. FOOD is headed our way, we have to be out here, all set up - BEFORE they arrive.
Hundreds of people, embedded into the ice. waiting.. .. ..

Fredrick Brower - whaling captain for Eugene Browers crew - The Bomb maker, he also has a new nickname - Bomb proof ! Lots of accidents happen with these bombs. people always get hurt or loose something, Fredrick has had 3 bombs go off (over the years). you will listen on one of the video's of how he threw a bomb at the whale and it came flying right back into the boat, no one was hurt.


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/home3.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/lead2.jpg

[crow]

absolutely fascinating, I spent my morning reading this thread. Thanks for sharing your way of life

[Majik Imaje]

Thank you so much for spending your valuable time ! Listening to my concerns !!

This culture must never perish !!

[Majik Imaje]

This scene is timeless, ever changing, and never the same. FOOD is headed our way, we have to be out here, all set up - BEFORE they arrive.
Hundreds of people, embedded into the ice. waiting.. .. ..

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/home3.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/harpoon-bomb.jpg

The shoulder gun bomb !! These things go for $1,000 bucks a shot I am told. That seems rather steep, but they are required by law to use these exploding harpoons, the Inupiaq do not like these, if you miss the vital spot on a whale, these things will not allow the whale to heal, as well as with the old style harpoons.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/sgb.jpg

NOW... .. ... we are finally ready, believe it or not, we could be in this state (waiting) for weeks !!! sit and wait.. they will come ! All sorts of animals migrate through this lead, every year for many thousands of years, this just beats the heck out of standing in line.. in a grocery store!! When have you ever .. .. had this much fun.. .. shopping for food ?? (chuckle).

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/Zacharia.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

The bottoms of clouds always show you the area, where open water exists.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/clouds.jpg

Wait & watch - all day long - the major work - is finished. Time to hunt ! & rest !

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/ww.jpg
Excitement is in the air - anything can happen at any time now.. .. ..

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/ww2.jpg
and it did.. the harpoon bomb piece of wood somehow broke, Zacharia, is the only one who knows how to fix this. He is the oldest elder on this crew, He is down here on Eugenes crew for one reason - He knows the ice, much better than anyone else. These currents change, and not necessarly in the same direction as the wind, there is much to learn and understand - if he imparts that information, in an understanding manner for us to share.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/broken.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Eugene Brower & The Eves boys a.k.a. Ma j i k I ma j e (Isaiah is missing) he is in Point Hope !
MarkAndrew (left) Jesse & Khris (right)

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/EugeneBrower.jpg

I am the 'baker' for this crew !! Naqachii (mix dough). Cheese, Onion, Jalepeno biscuits, That combo is their favorite, But Eugenes wife,said .. .. " I want you to make me some of those Onion biscuits that I have heard so much about. Hmmmmm.. yummy ! I love to make bread and just give most of it away, We do our best to make a lot of people happy, I (we) love to give !!
One of the greatest 'promises' I have ever read.. .. .. says these words.. (basically) (Malachi chapter 2) ... TEST ME .. Prove me wrong. Give... and I will give back 3 times, 5 times, pressed down, running over !!
I have been practicing this for over 50 years,, and ya know what ?? It always works !!!

Can you see the animal.. in this image ???

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/dux.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/sg.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/wot.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

A frozen, white world of nothing but ice !!! In every direction for many miles !!
http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/onward.jpg

The land of the midnight sun !!
http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/sunset.jpg

We have to cut a trail from the tent to the lead, we have to move, we have to move more ice !!
Notice the polar bear mittens, 'crossed' behind his back to keep them in place until needed !!!
http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/moving.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/umiaq2.jpg

I want you to notice, the massive amount of ice, that was removed to create this site here at the lead opening !!
Remove it all, and throw it into the ocean !!

[Majik Imaje]

Look .. .. .. watch this .. ..

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/umiaq3.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/lead3.jpg

What a life.. .. this is just the most exciting time of the year.
Now we wait, watch, look, listen.. .. .. .. did you see that ??

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/camp2.jpg

All of the action, takes place.. .. at the lead ! This is our new home.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/lead4.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

We are going to sit here and wait, for weeks, for the animals to arrive. !! 24/7 right here, right now !

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/lead5.jpg

What next ? Captain ??

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/wnc.jpg

Rest, where you can, & when you can !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/rest2.jpg

The avatakpak (float) is covered up,(because) the color is red, that is the only color forbidden at the lead opening. No machines down here, quiet.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/avatakpak.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

These exploding harpoons require a lot of work and great care.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/harpoon.jpg

Last October, during fall whaling, two of these exploding bombs, went off, even though the safety was on. Lucky no one on the metal boat got hurt.


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/harpoon2.jpg

Calling home - " can you hear me now " ?


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/call-home.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/sit.jpg

What a view.. .. waiting.. .. for food !!

[Majik Imaje]

Can I drive ??

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/canidrive.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/SITNWAIT.jpg

I am currently working as fast as possible

HERE (http://majikimaje.com/camp.html)

Thank You all.. .. so much.. .. for taking the time !!!

Train up a child .. .. in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it! .. .. .. 'book' of Proverbs !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/teach.jpg

Lets play a game .. .. can you think or imagine what this is here for ??? what does it mean ???

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/cross2.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

The reason for this is; that it is.. "your grave" meaning (anyone who goes near this spot). it is very thin, dangerously so. It is a warning in the simplest of terms. stay away !
This ice is 'tested' constantly by people walking around with 'pokes'. and this is just way to thin, stay away, notice the high marker ?? so it can be seen.. from great distances.
I dare speak the truth when I say, anyone can go down to the road on land and step out onto that ice. The only way to get out to any of the camp sites, you must be a member of a crew. People can't just jump on their machines and arrive and say hi ! Unless you are invited or have participated with that crew.

Behold the magnificent beauty and freedom of the Arctic !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/behold.jpg

No noise, no crowds or pests or bugs !! Incredible freedom that you loose, as soon as you enter the village, you can FEEL IT , the sudden loss.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/behold2.jpg

Lets go hunting.. .. ..

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/hunt.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/ICE.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/CS-4-800/MARK2.jpg

[Art Scott]

KKEEP'EM COMIN'...........got any job openings :D:rofl I know how to skin, de-bone, package,....salt meat.....:wink:wink:wink

[Majik Imaje]

I just happen to have images of a seal, being prepared for dinnner out on the ocean ice. the whole complete process. I dare say I don't think people want to see those photos !!

[Art Scott]

I just happen to have images of a seal, being prepared for dinnner out on the ocean ice. the whole complete process. I dare say I don't think people want to see those photos !!

Where's the link?? I have never had seal...so would love to see it prepared.......or at least how it is prepared.

Then I am a hunter.....did the whole drink the deer blood and eat heart of first deer killed.........

[Dogdots]

Lets play a game .. .. can you think or imagine what this is here for ??? what does it mean ???

http://majikimaje.com/CS-2-800/cross2.jpg[/quote]

I give up...what is it here for?

Wonderful photos -- I would love to visit someday.

[Majik Imaje]

This is a very stark warning, in the simplest of terms.

STAY AWAY - this is your grave !! the ice here is extremely thin. STAY AWAY. Notice the high marker which can be seen from quite a distance, eveyone knows.. stay away - .. .. .. and live !!

[Dogdots]

This is a very stark warning, in the simplest of terms.

STAY AWAY - this is your grave !! the ice here is extremely thin. STAY AWAY. Notice the high marker which can be seen from quite a distance, eveyone knows.. stay away - .. .. .. and live !!

Makes sense, but I was way off on what I was thinking it was. I thought the cross ment that this is where we will hold our prayer before going out to hunt.

[IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer]

Majik,

Your pictures and personal story are incredible. As a movie fan I acknowledge you have surpassed "White Dawn", the only Hollywood film that tried to present a glimpse of Inuit lifestyle and culture.

Thousands of years in residency at the village easily makes a claim to be the oldest North American neighborhood. There is a rival claim from Cuzco in Peru, at least as to South America longevity. The Taos Pueblo in New Mexico offers one thousand years of tradition, open to tourists like me and photography, a divisive issue among residents. Little fear of tourism where you live.

I understand Inuit whaling rights. Whale supporters have fought against attempts to revive traditional hunting of Gray Whales on Alaska's pacific coast. I'm curious about Inuit reaction to places such as San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California, Mexico, where friendly Gray Whales act more like puppies, seeking out human contact, including petting and kissing. An example is attached.

Dave

[Majik Imaje]

Well thank you so much, for those kind words and for taking your valuable time to read and comment about my work, my labor of love for these unique people.


First let me clear up a common misconception. The natives in Alaska (above the arctic circle) are not inuit !!

Inuit people(s) are: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Russia

Inupiat / Inupiaq are the Eskimos of The Arctic. ( in Alaska)

(In oop E at)- (In you pack)

We do not hunt the grey whale !! The mighty bowhead whale (right whale) and beluga whales are the only two species that we hunt & eat.

[Majik Imaje]

A shelter from the wind, ( when necessary). A red flag is stuck into the top of this shelter, to let people know, from far distances, if it is occupied, We are in an area of very flat ice, no place to hide !!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/MENSROOM.jpg

[Dogdots]

Burrrrrrr :D

[Majik Imaje]

UPDATE: Sept 15th of 2009

It is time for Fall Whaling for Barrow - Point Lay - Kaktovik and Nuiqsit.

October 4th is when we usualy begin. Whaling captains were told.. in ten days.. lock and load !! The quota is 18 strikes.


Photos coming soon !!!

[Dogdots]

UPDATE: Sept 15th of 2009

It is time for Fall Whaling for Barrow - Point Lay - Kaktovik and Nuiqsit.

October 4th is when we usualy begin. Whaling captains were told.. in ten days.. lock and load !! The quota is 18 strikes.


Photos coming soon !!!

Looking forward to seeing the new photos :thumb

[Majik Imaje]

Thanks for your continued interest !! I will post more images as soon as they are available !!

[coldclimb]

Thanks for your continued interest !! I will post more images as soon as they are available !!

Please do! :D

[Art Scott]

Thanks for your continued interest !! I will post more images as soon as they are available !!

I cannot wait to see .....the anticipation is very hard on me.......:bow:bow:bow:bow

[bloomphotog]

I just found this thread and spent the past 2 hours here. :clap

Majik Imaje, your body of work is incredible. The journalistic storytelling is some of the most interesting I have ever seen. Such an inspiration. Thank you!

[Majik Imaje]

well I am glad you enjoyed my thread. 2 hours. wow !! well this coming saturday Sept 26th - LOCK & LOAD - The hunt begins - Fall whaling .

18 strikes is the quota this year. Photos should be coming in this weekend (fingers crossed).

[Majik Imaje]

Lets go hunting.. .. ..


http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/hunt.jpg


Once the work is done, then the best time arrives. Wait - Watch - Look & Listen. anything can happen at any time with no warning what-so-ever!

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/ICE.jpg


You best be prepared - for anything unexpected to happen !!

[lizzard_nyc]

Dude!
Words fail.
Where has this thread been hiding? I just found it--and must start again from the beginning:bow .

Can't wait to go home and share with my 7 year old--it will be his reading assignment of the night--a treasure. So I guess words don't fail after all:D .

A sincere thanks for sharing.

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/hunt1.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/hunt2.jpg


http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/hunt3.jpg

Now.. this is food shopping !! Xtreme - an Oogruk (bearded seal) is in the water. visible. This is larger than a snowmachine. Hundreds of pounds of fresh food - and new skins for the umiaq (next season). Six of these are needed to cover an umiaq.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/Oogruk.jpg



Wait, - watch - look & listen - Animals will be migrating at any point in time. We wait.. .. patiently. looking, people now speak in low voices, ssshhh. No noise - it will scare the animals away.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-6-800/ZnF.jpg

It is getting 'wet' out and this is not good.. but we stay. All day - all night - every day - the wind is virtually the only thing that will cause us to leave. These currents are swift / strong and constantly changing !! The weather can change without warning it seems. don't day dream - pay attention. Watch!!


http://majikimaje.com/CS-6-800/wet.JPG




http://majikimaje.com/CS-6-800/wait.jpg

Even an untrained eye - can easily see - storm is approaching - time to get the heck out of here a.s.a.p. !!


http://majikimaje.com/CS-6-800/storm.jpg <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_288557-->

[Majik Imaje]

Thank you Liz !! I have done my job well to have you spend your valuable time !! (wink) !!

I have literally many hundreds of images yet to post. This is the adventure of a lifetime here in the Arctic. Yes it is cold - but that is the normal way of living up here. NO - you do not get used to it. You learn to dress properly so you can stay out - play out - ALL DAY / NIGHT !! Eskimo's get just as cold as you do. But what you eat (as I have stated before) is essential to keeping warm (and happy).

Dirty clothes cannot keep you warm !!! Many very loose layers !

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/PB.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/PB1.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/PB2.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

Working out here, all day, all night - guess what !! ??

You become hungry !! Yummy - time to eat !

Here is tonights supper !! SEAL

GOSH: I haven't even finished last spring's hunt and we have already begun the Fall hunt - it began on last saturday (Sept 26-09). Day one was very rough, high seas, almost impossible to capture a decent photograph.

Sunday it was worse.. severe motion sickness from 8 foot swells.

4 whales were harvested (sat-sun - see blog). - Monday - Tuesday - TOO ROUGH too windy !!

This is all about food or, as Sarah Palin so eloquently put into proper perspective - We eat.. .. .. therefore - we hunt !!

so lets step into an 'Arctic Kitchen' - !! (chuckle) !!

its cold of course - and very clean! We do things different -

Seal Preparation 101

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/sun1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/sun2.JPG





http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/supper1.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/supper2.jpg



http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/supper3.jpg

Intestines taste like 'gum' with no flavor ! (burp) !!

Meal is all prepared - time to cook !! Gather round for more stories and a good meal.

http://majikimaje.com/CS-3-800/supper.jpg

I have a great video of an Oogruk (bearded seal) This one is huge - larger than a snowmachine.

I will post a link in the next post (coming soon) !!

For what it is worth - Polar bears are not endangered in any way !! Their population has been steadily rising for DECADES !!

did you know ??? A polar bear w/ cubs can EASILY swim - for HUNDREDS OF MILES !!! The mainstream media is blowing this all out of proportion and down right making up lies !! We see polar bears land on the beach here in Barrow and just lie down to sleep because they are so tired from that swim. Polar bears adapt quite well on land !! The Arctic is only home to 20% of the total polar bear population (Alaska & Russia ) !! do not believe the lies. I quote you - well established FACT !!

[Majik Imaje]

An Oogruk swimming and eating food in a narrow portion of the lead opening. This video is 11 meg (http://majikimaje.com/MOVIES/Oogruk2/Oogruk2.m4v).

Our method of food shopping is so much different from your method !!

[woshilihe]

seriously i gotta stay away from this post.

i need to save money for my wedding rather than going to alaska!! i seriously should stop coming to this thread....ahhhhh.....almost impossible to resist....

An Oogruk swimming and eating food in a narrow portion of the lead opening. This video is 11 meg (http://majikimaje.com/MOVIES/Oogruk2/Oogruk2.m4v).

Our method of food shopping is so much different from your method !!

[Majik Imaje]

Nah !!! do the right thing - GO NORTH YOUNG MAN !! TONS OF WORK in this state ALL OVER THE STATE.

You only 'LIVE' once - do it in Alaska - now is the time to get the heck out of the states' and away from Big Cities - its gonna get really bad in the states (big cities) NEXT YEAR !! 2010 !! Watch - Out !!

BACK TO THE ICE .. ..

My son Mark has been whaling in Point Hope many times. On Killigvuk's crew. "Killigvuk" where have you seen or heard that word before ?

Killigvuk = to pack up and evacuate the ice pack because of a sudden shift in the wind.. DANGEROUS - ice is advancing towards our location.


Thursday afternoon of this week, (mid may) we left the ice, due to extremely high west winds. Sunday morning @ 8: 00 am we headed back out. Other crews have their sleds and showmachines parked on this property, (Edwardsons Crews). they headed back out @ 2:00 am this morning. The lead is wide open, plenty of open water, the time has arrived !!

and.. on a slightly different matter of what is involved, we witnessed a fire, down on the ice, near the land. A snowmachine caught on fire.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/FIRE2.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/barrow/FIRE3.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/barrow/FIRE6.jpg

This is another one of the many reasons, that once you head out to the ice.. you stay there, these machines have a tough time, when there is no ice / snow to travel on, Ice must be used to cool the housing down, some goes as far as to jam ice / snow under the machine, when they have to ride on gravel. In this case, .. .. it is obvious what can happen. I am not saying this happens lots, but it can happen. Lots of people do not take proper care of their machines. Theft / or vandalism is a major problem in all villages ! Hondas, Vehicles, Snowmachines, ask any PSO !!

Especially @ dividend time. People fly to Kotzebue to purchase a new machine, and a day or two later it is gone, never to be found again. There are at least a dozen or so villages around the immediate Kotzebue area. I know what I have seen and heard about. so sad !!

A young boy here in Barrow died one beautiful peaceful day last year. Pressured to steal a honda by his 'friends', they went riding around the village. At one point they were getting fancy doing 'stunts'. There are many games children play on hondas, tag is one of those games, stunts is another. This stunt went wrong and the young boy died. His friends left the scene but were all caught a day or so later. Leo was only 12 or 13 years old. sob.

Leo's older brother Ben learned how to carve in our shop - He gave his first bracelet to his momma. Leo wanted to learn. We never got the chance. Sudden accidental death is no stranger in any village. Too many children die very young. We have witnessed too much .. people we were very close to in Point Hope. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
__________________

[Dogdots]

Its just so sad. Kids think nothing will happen to them, but things do happen.

I've never heard of using snow/ice to cool down a snowmachine, but that makes sense. They're made for cold weather.

[Art Scott]

As always great photos,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,really like your forum also.
:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow

[Majik Imaje]

I have 'video's' of all of what is going on here, with the shoulder gun. I will post them a.s.a.p.

http://majikimaje.com/END-800/camp.jpg


This is different - here in Barrow. Point Hope doesn't bring the tents this close to the edge of the ice. In Point Hope the tents are 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile behind the crews. This is the womens tent. the hunters sleep outside at the lead - no tents.

but here in Barrow the men are virtually the only crew members on the ice at the lead. Some crews do have women paddling - Point Hope & in other villages as well.


It is just the greatest most exciting way to spend the day, and I can't wait for next spring !!!


http://majikimaje.com/END-800/home.jpg



The Gauntlet : The Lead ! - 37 crews - spaced out @ 1/2 mile intervals. Waiting for lots animals to enter, through the lead. In other words.. Let them enter .. and move through with lots of animals.

then when yu have a huge selection (for everyone) then That is the time !! for Everyone to go all out and hunt for food for the ENTIRE VILLAGE.

http://majikimaje.com/END-800/gauntlet.jpg

But greedy - young - inexperienced people decided to JUMP THE GUN and rush before the animals entered the lead. This is against the Inupiaq Values !! Eugene threw up his hands in discust and said.. lets go home. Whaling is over for this year (meaning the spring hunt). So as a result only 3 very small whales were harvested and everyone paid a dear price for that greed !! I am telling it like the President of the AEWC repeated it again and again.. He was pissed off big time from people / crews being too lazy to cut their own trail and hyjacked two of our trails and complety took them over- forcing us to move for the third time.

We are first in line - Our crews were as far west as possible at the tip of the Point. The animals have to pass by us FIRST. We want to hide / wait until the lead is well populated for many miles - THEN STRIKE. !!

SO SAD ! to see so much work go into this. FORGET the expense of wasted money. You would never ever believe how much it cost a captain to bring & maintain a crew out on that ice for two months !!

and here they go.. This is called .. .. Hooray for us and screw you !!

None of the animals have entered the lead opening yet. They are approaching. wait.... NOPE.. others have their own agenda and 33 captains get screwed because of the rush. Al the animals scatter and the hunt was a total disaster!! tisk tisk. So sad - all of that months worth of work - for nothing !!

http://majikimaje.com/END-800/go.jpg

The noise and vibration from the outboard caused all animals to scatter !

sigh (sob) The end of the spring hunt. We pack up and go home !!!

The shoulder gun video (http://majikimaje.com/sg/sg-Desktop.m4v) is 3.8 meg. the very first thing you will notice is that people do not talk (needlesly). It is very cold & it is very windy !!

[Art Scott]

There is a reason why village elders run things.....knowledge......Hopefully no one will have to go hungry....looks very desolate but there are hopefully a few caribou or bears to be taken for food.......I know the Whales mean more than just food also.........
Hopefull there is punishment awaiting those that sabotaged the hunt?????? :huh:huh:huh:huh

[Majik Imaje]

There 4 huge herds of Caribou in the Northern Arctic

One herd has over 400,000 animals !!

Whales are harvested for one reason - it is their staple - Their favorite food. Without maktak (muck tuck) A = uh - these people could never survive in this extremely harsh climate !!

These people - this culture - in essence 'Worships' the whale. Their whole lifestyle revolves around the Bowhead whale !!

It requires a whole year - just to get ready to go whaling! An incredible amount of work and preparation is involved !!

[Dogdots]

Shame on those that did what they did. What are the chances of them getting caught and if they are....what happens?

It looks just as flat as my state and just as white too in the winter :D You can see forever.

Gotta chuckle...we always check to see who's colder...us or Barrow:rofl

Enjoyed your photos :thumb

[Majik Imaje]

Some Inupiaq humor

http://majikimaje.com/hood3.jpg

This image was created in 1988 using Vericolor FILM !!

Mamiya C220 - 100 ISO - 1/250 @ F 11 - no filter used on this twin lens reflex camera. Post procesing in Lightroom 3 beta !! WoWoW !!

The caption was created last night - Simple ideas can generate a lot of $$ with post cards & notecards !!

[Dogdots]

What a cute photo :D

[Majik Imaje]

Shooting directly into the sun - is the most dramatic form of lighting - it is also the most difficult to expose correctly. No meter can correctly handle this type lighting situation.


http://majikimaje.com/BT-6-800/SUN.jpg

100 ISO - EV 15 = 1/125 @ F 5.6 !! That is the exact value(s), I always used when using film. Perfect results everytime. BUT WITH DIGITAL those values are not true. 1/600th @5.6 is what the EXIF data reveals.
Hmmm ?? 2 1/2 stops difference ! hmm ? how come ??

Well a problem exists here. FILM 100 ISO and digital 100 ISO do not jive with each other for the same exact scene.

hasn't anyone else noticed this ?? So which value is WRONG ??

Some testing using a calibrated method with notes is important !!

results coming soon !! <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Majik Imaje]

October 27th - Bowhead whale hunt - My son, Jesse Eves, depositing his breakfast & lunch into the ocean, many times!! The ocean was very rough and too much for a rookie with no sea legs !!

http://majikimaje.com/018.jpg

[Dogdots]

Oh your poor son -- but they need to do it a few times before the tummy is use to it. Did you get anything?

[Majik Imaje]

The only 'thing' Jesse got - was a sore stomach from wretching numerous times throughout the day. (chuckle). No our crew did not get any whales this year. We did get shares of one whale !! And some baleen for arts & crafts.

[Dogdots]

The only 'thing' Jesse got - was a sore stomach from wretching numerous times throughout the day. (chuckle). No our crew did not get any whales this year. We did get shares of one whale !! And some baleen for arts & crafts.

I'm glad you got a share of something :D

As for Jesse -- he'll do much better the next time out :D

[Majik Imaje]

More images of the fall hunt. Courtesty of Thomas Brower

http://majikimaje.com/TB/whale.jpg

A whale comes to the surface to breathe and dive again.

http://majikimaje.com/TB/whale2.jpg

Kappii (cup pea) The whale has been harpooned, blood is in the air - the exploding haproon (holder) is floating a short distance away.

Notice how the boats - back off - and wait !!

http://majikimaje.com/TB/kappii.jpg

Whaling Captain:
Harry Brower
Whalilng Captain:
Charlie Hopsen

http://majikimaje.com/TB/Captains.jpg

[Dogdots]

With all that water it sure makes the boats look really small.

How many people can a whale feed and for how long?

[Majik Imaje]

Those boats ARE really small !!! The vast expanse of the ocean makes anything look small .

How many people can one whale feed and for how long ??

I have no way to begin to calculate that figure. Let me put it this way.

People cannot eat whale (maktak) as much as they want to.

and of course it depends on how large that whale is ! The Inupiaq people do not want the really huge whales 60 foot or larger. They are too tough and too much work.

They much perfer the 'teenagers' for food, it is 'tender' instead of tough.

Well the shares we got, is enough to have maktak once a month, and you might make it half way through the year . A captain that has received a whale gets a much larger share than just ordinary town folk.

So, since the whale is divided up among the crews; & the entire community so that everyone has a share. It is not enough to survive for teh entire year. Maktak (muck tuck) keeps you warm(er) out on the ocean ice pack. that is the ONE FOOD SOURCE that these people need to survive. I mean it is totally unheard of to 'sleep' outside @ 50 below for weeks with no tents for protection. & - no one ever COMPLAINS !!! - how about that !!

[Dogdots]

Those boats ARE really small !!! The vast expanse of the ocean makes anything look small .

How many people can one whale feed and for how long ??

I have no way to begin to calculate that figure. Let me put it this way.

People cannot eat whale (maktak) as much as they want to.

and of course it depends on how large that whale is ! The Inupiaq people do not want the really huge whales 60 foot or larger. They are too tough and too much work.

They much perfer the 'teenagers' for food, it is 'tender' instead of tough.

Well the shares we got, is enough to have maktak once a month, and you might make it half way through the year . A captain that has received a whale gets a much larger share than just ordinary town folk.

So, since the whale is divided up among the crews; & the entire community so that everyone has a share. It is not enough to survive for teh entire year. Maktak (muck tuck) keeps you warm(er) out on the ocean ice pack. that is the ONE FOOD SOURCE that these people need to survive. I mean it is totally unheard of to 'sleep' outside @ 50 below for weeks with no tents for protection. & - no one ever COMPLAINS !!! - how about that !!

It must be the oil in the whale meat that keeps one warm or is it something else?

50 below -- that is mighty cold. I think our windchills of in the -40's is terrible. Lucky we will only get that for a short period of time....hoping this winter is a mild one. No snow on the ground yet :clap

Thanks for sharing this with us. I find it so interesting. Hopefully one day I'll make my trip to Alaska.

[Majik Imaje]

The meat of the whale has nothing to do with keeping people warmer. It is the flammable fat they eat - the blubber - Maktak !!

[Dogdots]

The meat of the whale has nothing to do with keeping people warmer. It is the flammable fat they eat - the blubber - Maktak !!

Ah....the blubber. That's the part that's rich in oil?

[Majik Imaje]

Yes blubber is all flammable fat. When placed @ room temp. it will melt.

This oil or eaten solid (frozen) will 'thicken' your blood - which in turn helps to keep you much warmer. Scientists / doctors are amazed - and totally bewildered @ how people can sustain themselves on a diet of fat and be so healthy with no vegetable or fruit !!

These people are healthy; and the happiest people I have ever met. They are 'thankful' for the 'simple' things in life and quite content

what struck me so bizzarre - is that these people just never complain & sometimes they have every right to !!

[Art Scott]

Was there any action taken against the guys that ruined the year of hunt planning???

[Majik Imaje]

No - none ! Avoidance of conflict is one of the many inupiaq values !!

[Dogdots]

Yes blubber is all flammable fat. When placed @ room temp. it will melt.

This oil or eaten solid (frozen) will 'thicken' your blood - which in turn helps to keep you much warmer. Scientists / doctors are amazed - and totally bewildered @ how people can sustain themselves on a diet of fat and be so healthy with no vegetable or fruit !!

These people are healthy; and the happiest people I have ever met. They are 'thankful' for the 'simple' things in life and quite content

what struck me so bizzarre - is that these people just never complain & sometimes they have every right to !!

Really interesting. I know some people here take pills or drink cod oil and fish oil. Never tried it myself, but they say it really helps in the winter for staying warmer.

It is amazing they are so healthy, but I think their outlook on life has a lot to do with it.

Keep taking photos and posting -- I look forward to seeing what's going on in Alaska :D

[Art Scott]

No - none ! Avoidance of conflict is one of the many inupiaq values !!

Karma will bite them in the butt one day for wronging their whole society like that.


What goes around comes around.................

[kres]

Just stumbled into the thread. I've spent the last 3 days catching up.

Thank you so much for sharing. :thumb

[Majik Imaje]

Eskimo - on a stick !!

This image just doesn't look right!!

http://majikimaje.com/images/e0s.jpg


After photoshop processing is applied - then it looks normal !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/horizontal.jpg

[Art Scott]

very cool ....Eskimo on a stick looked painful:huh :rofl

[Dogdots]

Cloning out the pole makes it look better :rofl

[Majik Imaje]

Letting the candy fly !! IN Barrow - the candy is for the children and the people surrounding the blanket.
In Point Hope the tradition is much different - the candy - or money 0r furs.. are for the elders ONLY .. if any child get his hands on any of the gifts. it is believed with all sincerity that next year will be a bad hunting year. So in essence - the elders do all that is physically possible to prevent any child from grabbing anything that is thrown.

Also - In Point Hope - anyone can get on the blanket to 'take a ride' but only those mothers that have had a first born child - are allowed to throw 'gifts' to the elders.


http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/good-throw.JPG

Candy - !! This is all they throw in Barrow @ blanket toss. In Point Hope it is much different, money - furs - are all gifts that are also thrown (for the elders).

http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/high.JPG

Achieveing height & form are the goals of every person that climbs on the blanket to 'express' themself !!

http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/knees.JPG

Balancing on the blanket is often - a hazard to contend with. It is very easy to injure yourself on this blanket - this doen't work like a trampoline.

http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/falling.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

The best of the best of Blanket Toss:
http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/sit2.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/tipped.JPG




http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/candy2.JPG




http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/candy3.JPG

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/drive.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/here.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/high.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/sit.JPG

[Art Scott]

WOW!!!!!!! i am speechless .......looks like fun to be an observer there...................

[Majik Imaje]

Oh yeah !! Nalakutaq is a fun filled day - lots of laughts - this goes on for many hours - from noonish - till very late in the evening (we have 24/7 sunlight) EVERY June - open invitation for ANYONE to come visit - partake of the feasts and enjoy - the happiest people I have ever met !!





http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/Kandy.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/Fandy.JPG




http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/b4candy.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/fly.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/soar.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/smile.JPG


http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/up.JPG

[Dogdots]

What a tradition -- so much history and culture with something that looks like so much fun :D

Wonderful photos :thumb Thanks for sharing them with us.

[Art Scott]

Majik,
According to you exif these photos were taken July 5, 2008 and people are still wearing large heavy parkas?

How do they celebrate Independence Day on July 4th since this is such a big celebration on the 5th?


The Parkas are they made by the natives or are they store bought?

just trying to get a little education on their culture here.....THANX

[Majik Imaje]

http://majikimaje.com/images/upsidedown.jpg

[Majik Imaje]

When we have (any) type celebration it can last for much longer than just one day. These photos are taken after midnight !!! 2 am is like 2 in the afternoon !!
and / or it could just be case of the clock not being set correctly (daylight savings time).

Since it is light 24 / 7 in July - We have our fireworks display in December 31- Jan 1st when it is pitch black outside !

why ? the big parky's at this time of year ?? Because it is STILL cold out!!
no matter how warm is outside - the slightest breeze will chill you all over really quick.

Weather can change up here in a split second - that wind is extremely cold.

ALL of the colorful fur parkeys up here in the entire arctic are hand made & home made.

You begin by purchasing the material / lining / fur and give all of that to ANY elder, your new parky will be finished the very next day - At no time are any measurements taken from the individual that the parky is made for - yet in each and every instance - that parky fits perfectly !!

I originaly purchased 4 mouton skins for 100 each for my parky that was made by Rosemary Oviok in point Hope in 1981. I gave her $100.00 for doing the sewing (hand stitched using dental floss). I paid another 3 hundred for the wolf fur ruff.

That parky lasted me 27 years ! I have had numerous fur ruffs on it - wolverine is by far the best for any type of outdoor activity (your face stays warm) WOLF on the other hand is only used for dress fancy parkys, wolf will keep your face wet and cold when worn outside if any moisture is in the air. rain or blowing snow.

Fox fur is only used on womens parky's

in Additoin to the many different outside coverings (to keep skins clean). denim / white / light blue for hunting on the ocean ice. Denim covers were used when I worked in construction during the winter time. I was always toasty warm.. These parkys will keep you super warm at any temp even if you only are wearing a T shirt !!

Many times @ work in prudhoe bay or back in Boston during the winter - I would take my parky off to let someone else wear it - because they were just so cold. The smile that comes across their faces when they feel how light and warm they are is truely pricless. but most people are extremely reluctant to spend that kind of money on a winter parky - but the truth be known - we live in these parky's year round. Even in the summer time back in boston I would always have my parky with me (habit) especially when splicing high voltage cable on the train tracks.. it was perfect cushion for my knees and other people that were on my crew !!

It sure saved our knees !! A true multipurpose parky !!

[Majik Imaje]

the best of the best of blanket toss !!

http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/camera.JPG

These are 2008 photographs - I haven't had the time to (resize) and upload to post here .. .. yet !! So much to do in so many different areas and just not enough time in the day to do everything!

http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/niceform.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/edge.JPG



http://majikimaje.com/BrwBlkToss/happy.JPG

[Dogdots]

Those parky's are worth every penny :thumb

Even tho I'm not in AK -- the North Dakota wind can be a real killer. I'd love to have a parky. The store bought ones...they just don't keep you warm in -30* temps. No matter how many layers you have on.