NANWALEK INTRODUCTION
The Nanwalek Jukebox Project is an interactive computer based program which combines oral history interviews with photographs, maps, text, and other contextual information. Residents of Nanwalek and two senior students from the English Bay School conducted interviews and provided photographs for the project. Those who participated in compiling materials include: Nick Tanape Sr. who conducted interviews, transcribed, and translated oral tapes; Merlin Anahonak who translated and keyworded tapes; and Rhonda Moonin who helped as a translator. Leo Ash conducted interviews with members of the English Bay Band, and Kilann Moonin also conducted interviews with elder village residents as part of their senior year project requirements.
Many topics were covered by the interviews. Among these are: growing up in the village in the early 1900s; contemporary subsistence; the English Bay Band and how its members got started; and changes that have occurred in the village over time. Although there are many other topics and interesting people not covered, this leaves a great opportunity for future similar projects for either school students or the village council.
Ron Stanek, who works with the Division of Subsistence of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, coordinated the project with the village and the Oral History Program at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Bill Burke, with the Oral History Program, constructed the Jukebox from materials and information provided by the interviews and village residents. The background images for the slideshows and main menu page utilized materials from cultural history documents and significant elements in the lives of project participants. Click here for more information on the background images and to view their sources in greater detail. Funding was made available through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with support from the Minerals Management Service.