Leslie McCartney

Cecil Martin was interviewed on December 11, 2013 by Barbara Cellarius and Leslie McCartney at the tribal council office in Dot Lake, Alaska. In this interview, Cecil talks about his grandfather, Gene Henry, and his hunting, fishing and trapping activities at Batzulnetas, in the upper Copper River area, and around Dot Lake. Cecil shares his memories of his grandfather and his stories, as well as sharing his own fishing experience in the Batzulnetas area. Cecil also talks about his work as a wildlands firefighter and changes that have occurred in the community of Dot Lake.

This is a continuation of the interview with Alfred Jonathan on December 11, 2013 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at his home in Tanacross, Alaska. In the first part of the interview (ORAL HISTORY 2013-14-04, PT.1), Alfred was joined by his wife, Mildred, but she had to leave for work so Alfred continued the interview without her. In this second part of a two part interview, Alfred talks about being sober and recovering from alcoholism, the old community of Mentasta, and the importance of speech making. He discusses changes in the village of Tanacross, in the animals and in the weather. He also talks about subsistence activities in and around Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and the importance of teaching the youth about their culture and the importance of taking pride in their Native identity.

Tom Teasdale was interviewed on August 5, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at the Northway tribal offices in Northway, Alaska.  In this interview, Tom talks about moving to Northway and his work as the pastor of a local church.  He also talks about changes in the community of Northway, problems with environmental contamination in the soil and water, and his work as the conservation coordinator for the Northway Village Council.

Jerry Isaac was interviewed on January 14, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska.  In the first part of this two part interview, Jerry talks about growing up in Tanacross, the changes in weather and animal populations over time, and his reasons for becoming a community leader.

Jim Biles was interviewed on September 8, 2014 by Karen Brewster and Leslie McCartney at Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Jim had attended the conference "A Cold War, 2014 Alaska Conference and Nike Veterans Reunion" held in Anchorage, Alaska on September 4 and 5, 2014. In this first part of a three part interview, Jim discusses his personal background and education, how he entered the U.S. Army, coming to Alaska to work at a Nike Missile Site, and missile launching procedures. He also talks about the 1967 Fairbanks flood and an encounter with a Russian Bear bomber airplane on the radar screen.

Dr. Sergei Khrushchev was interviewed on September 4, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. Roger Babler was also present during part of the interview. Dr. Khrushchev was a special guest speaker at the conference "A Cold War, 2014 Alaska Conference and Nike Veterans Reunion" held in Anchorage, Alaska on September 4 and 5, 2014. In this first of a two part interview, Dr. Khrushchev discusses his family and early years, Soviet and American relations during the Cold War, and his work with the Soviet missile and space program. He also talks about the arms race during the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, assisting his father, Nikita Khrushchev, with his memoirs, and his own publications.

Robert (Bob) Wallace was interviewed on September 4, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. Bob was one of the keynote speakers at the conference "A Cold War, 2014 Alaska Conference and Nike Veterans Reunion" held in Anchorage, Alaska on September 4 and 5, 2014. In this interview, Bob discusses his 32-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from operations officer to Director of the Office of Technical Service where all the gadgets, disguises, false documents, special weapons and covert-communications devices are developed, manufactured and issued to operations officers. He also discusses the shooting down of a Korean airliner by the Russians, the change in technology over his career, coming to Alaska to cold-weather test equipment, and CIA and intellegence activities during the Cold War.

This is a continuation of an interview with George Wallot on September 4, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. In this second of a two part interview, George continues to talk about the destruction that occurred at Site Point Anchorage (A Battery A/4/43) from the 1964 Alaska Earthquake and how Donald Dukes, the captain who led the team, managed to complete the dangerous clean up. He reads an account of this experience that he obtained directly from Donald Dukes. George also talks about life at Site Summit Anchorage (B Battery B/3/43) and his career after leaving the Army.

Dorothy Roggeveen was interviewed on September 5, 2014 by Karen Brewster and Leslie McCartney at Dorothy's home in Anchorage, Alaska. Dorothy talks about her career in the Women's Army Corps and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where she met her husband, Adrian Roggeveen, who was an engineer, and about their life in Okinawa, Japan. She discusses how Adrian designed the iconic clamshells that protected radar equipment at Nike Missile Sites around the world by basing the design on Dorothy's oriental fan collection. She also talks about coming to Alaska to work on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline after Adrian's death and her subsequent work in Alaska before retirement.

Roger Babler and Ed Hansen were interviewed on September 3, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. Jerry and Phyllis Peet also were present during the interview. At the time of the interview, they were attending the conference "A Cold War, 2014 Alaska Conference and Nike Veterans Reunion" held in Anchorage, Alaska on September 4 and 5, 2014. In this interview, Roger and Ed talk about working at the Nike Missile Site Tare (A Battery A/2/562) near Fairbanks, Alaska in 1964, their respective duties, a typical day on the job, the weapons system, radar tracking, and recreational activities. They also talk about the importance of the Nike veteran reunions.

This is the continuation of an interview with Joe Griffith on September 5, 2014 by Karen Brewster and Leslie McCartney at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Joe talks about the cooperation between the various services in the military, his work as a commander in Alaska, and Alaska's involvement with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He also talks about his work with the Air Force's 21st Wing, and reflects on his career.

This is a continuation of an interview with Bob Bishop on September 9, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In this second part of a three part interview, Bob talks about being a guard dog handler, dealing with mosquitoes while on guard duty, what happened to the dogs when they were retired, dog biting incidents, life in the barracks, and the use of alcohol. He also reflects back on his time in the Army and discusses the Nike veterans reunion.

Jerry Peet was interviewed on September 3, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. Jerry's wife Phyllis, Ed Hansen, and Roger Babler also were present during the interview. At the time of the interview, Jerry was attending the conference "A Cold War, 2014 Alaska Conference and Nike Veterans Reunion" held in Anchorage, Alaska on September 4 and 5, 2014. In his interview, Jerry talks about being drafted, his training on Nike missile systems, coming to Alaska in 1967, a typical day working at the Site Tare Fairbanks (A Battery A/2/562) Nike Missile Site and experiencing the 1967 Fairbanks flood. He also talks about his career in medical electronics, Nike veteran reunions and reflections on his time in the Army and in Alaska.

This is a continuation of an interview with Howard and Ruth Rice on September 5, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska. In this second of a two part interview, Howard and Ruth continue their story about living through the 1964 Alaska Earthquake in Anchorage and the devastation that occurred at Site Point Nike Missile Site (A Battery A/4/43) Anchorage. Howard mentions the clam shells that protected the radar, and reflects back on the stress, responsibility, and routine while working at the Site Summit (B Battery B/4/43). He also discusses the rest of his military career after leaving Alaska, and how meaningful it is to be attending the Nike veterans reunion.

This is the continuation of an interview with Art and Damaris (Dee) Mortvedt on April 3, 2015 by Leslie McCartney and Karen Brewster at Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In this second part of a two part interview, Art continues to discuss his Arctic and Antarctic flying adventures. Dee chimes in with her own experiences flying with Art as well as her role at home. They also talk about their wilderness lodge (Peace of Selby Wilderness Lodge) at Selby Lake in the Brooks Range.

This is a continuation of an interview with Bill English on March 29, 2012 by Leslie McCartney at Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Syd Stealey is also present during the interview. In this second part of a two part interview, Bill continues to talk about his career as a pilot, including flying overseas, and his work as a pilot trainer and FAA pilot certifier.

Lorraine Titus was interviewed on August 5, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at the Northway Corporation office in Northway, Alaska. In this interview, Lorraine talks about growing up in Northway, her grandparents, and living a subsistence lifestyle. She also talks about the school in Northway, cultural and language revitalization, local government and business, and changes in the community and the environment.

Roy and Avis Sam were interviewed on August 7, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at their home in Northway, Alaska. In this interview, Roy talks about growing up around Northway and his father's use of the surrounding area for hunting and trapping. He identifies a lot of locations, including their Native names. He also discusses his own trapping, fishing and hunting activities, and changes in the land, weather and animal populations he has witnessed. Roy's wife, Avis, participates in the interview as well, although she does not say much until part way into the interview. She did not want her photo taken. Avis talks about her childhood, hunting and fishing locations, and changes in the weather and life in the village.

Lena Charley was interviewed on April 23, 2015 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at her home in Chistochina, Alaska. Jessica Denny, Lena's granddaughter, also participated in the interview. In this interview, Lena talks about growing up living a traditional subsistence lifestyle, learning to hunt, fish and trap, and working as a hunting guide in the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. She discusses what she did as a guide, what and where they hunted, and what it was like to be a woman guide when all the clients were men. She also talks about sled dog racing and running the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race. Lena tells one story in particular about hunting a black bear by herself and carrying the animal back to camp on her back.

This is a continuation of the interview with David and Moya James on April 22, 2015 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at their home at Mile 1254 of the Alaska Highway near the Alaska/Canada border. In this second part of a two part interview, Moya talks about her children going to school in Tok, and David talks about fishing, duck and bird hunting, and small game and muskrat hunting. He also talks about changes in the wildlife populations.

This is a continuation of the interview with Wilson Justin on April 23, 2015 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at the offices of the Cheesh’na Tribal Council in Chistochina, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Wilson talks about the effects of climate change on the landscape, on the subsistence lifestyle, and on the wildlife population in his area.

This is a continuation of an interview with Frank and Sue Entsminger on April 22, 2015 by Barbara Cellarius and Leslie McCartney at their home on the Tok Cutoff Road near Tok, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Frank and Sue talk about creation of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, finding ways to make a living, and changes in the nearby communities. They also talk about the guiding business, commercial fishing, trapping, and the various work they've done to be able to keep living their rural lifestyle.

Robert "Bob" Raichle was interviewed on September 14, 2015 by Leslie McCartney in the offices of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) in Anchorage, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Bob talks about his background, entering the military and getting assigned to the Nike Missile Sites, working at Site Love near Fairbanks, Alaska, and his duties and responsibilities as Battery Commander. He also walks through how a missile firing might go, talks about being evaluated, and how the site was helpful during the 1967 Fairbanks Flood.

Jacob Martin was interviewed on April 16, 2019 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at the offices of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Jacob talks about his observations of changes in the local environment, animal and fish populations, weather patterns, vegetation, and sea ice and comments on how these changes are effecting people and their subsistence lifestyle. He also talks about human adaptation and the development of Nome's Climate Adaptation Plan, and the need to create awareness about environmental change in the north to a broader audience.

This is the continuation of an interview with Jeanette Koelsch on April 18, 2019 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at her office at the headquarters of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Nome, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Jeanette continues to talk about her observations of environmental change in the region and the effect it is having on animal populations and humans who depend upon access to wild resources for their food. She also discusses concerns about environmental disaster, the need for monitoring and response, and future resource management challenges faced by the National Park Service. She empahsizes the need to educate a wider public about environmental change in the north, to better plan for human adaptation, and her role as advocate.

Dave Swanson was interviewed on November 25, 2019 by Leslie McCartney at Elmer Rasmuson Library on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Dave talks about his work as an ecologist on the Seward Peninsula and in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. He discusses what he has observed and what his scientific research has documented regarding changes in permafrost, lakes and lake drainage, waterfowl, vegetation, the coastline, fish, weather, seasonal timing, snow, caribou, lichen, and fires. He also talks about the area’s polygonal landscape and its volcanic history, and his research techniques and methodology.

Charlie Lean was interviewed on February 5, 2020 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve offices in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Charlie talks about his observations of environmental change throughout his lifetime living in Nome and working as a biologist in the region. He discusses changes in fish and fisheries, beavers, moose, caribou, crab, weather patterns, seasonal timing, ocean temperatures and salinity, sea ice, permafrost, and vegetation. He also talks about subsistence, his own snowmachine travels, and facilities and conditions at Serpentine and Arctic Hot Springs.

Vera Kingeekuk Metcalf was interviewed on February 6, 2020 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve offices in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Vera talks about observations of environmental change in the Bering Strait region during her lifetime, including with walrus, ocean temperatures, algal blooms, sea ice, food resources, seasonal timing, snowfall, coastal erosion, whales, and fishing. She also talks about her work with the Eskimo Walrus Commission, regulations and co-management, cultural documentation, and her current efforts to host a summit for young hunters to facilitate the transfer of knowledge between generations.