Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

24  INTRODUCING ALASK A

Alaska’s Native Cultures

Alaska’s Native peoples have long enjoyed rich cultures
based upon deep spiritual values derived from their
relationship to the plants, animals, and cli mate of their
natural environments. There is no sin gle “Native” culture
or way of life, as each group has its own traditions and arts
that were initially linked to the environment they lived in
and the available resources (see pp26–7). While few Natives
now strictly follow traditional ways, many have a renewed
interest in preserving their heritage, both through material
arts and the revival of Native languages. Evidence of this
resurgence is seen in Native villages and cultural centers,
where visitors can meet Native Alaskans and explore their Summer visitors to Kotzebue participating
traditions, art, and crafts. in a blanket toss
The raven is
honored in the
colorful stylized
motif that graces
the front of this
clan house.
The colors used
were significant.
Red represented
valor, blue stood
for the sea and sky,
and white signified
space and peace.
Traditional housing included Aleut
semi-subterranean shelters, such as
this ulax replica at the Alaska Native
Heritage Center (see pp76–7).
Clan Houses
These community dwellings, such as this Tlingit Raven
clan house in Totem Bight State Historical Park (see p129),
housed up to 50 people in one large room. Each fam ily
had its own space, but shared a single fireplace and
stored its belongings beneath the planked flooring.
Doorways were small to conserve heat,
and those passing through needed to
stoop down to enter.

Igloos (structures constructed of blocks of
ice) were historically built by Inuit hunters
and mountain climbers as temporary shelters.
The word itself simply means “house.”

Whaling is an annual springtime event for
Inupiat and St. Lawrence Island Yup’ik peoples,
who set out in traditional sealskin boats called
umiaks as soon as ice conditions permit. The
skins need to be changed every other year to
remain watertight.

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