Barbara Cellarius

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.

Urban Rahoi was interviewed on March 8, 2014 by Karen Brewster and Barbara Cellarius at the National Park Service office in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Urban talks about getting started as a hunting guide in Alaska, lessons he learned from guiding, his thoughts on game management, and his experiences flying in Alaska. 

Lyle Cronk was interviewed on August 5, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at his home in Northway, Alaska.  In this interview, Lyle talks about working for the Federal Aviation Administration at the airport in Northway, changes in the community, and hunting and trapping in the area and in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. He also talks about gardening, the 2002 Earthquake that damaged the area, and changes in the weather he has observed through the years.

Daisy Northway was interviewed on August 7, 2014 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at her home in Tok, Alaska. In this interview, Daisy talks about her mother, Ellen Felix Demit, her childhood and growing up in a subsistence lifestyle at Healy Lake, Big Gerstle, and Dot Lake. She also talks about changes in the landscape and climate, her work as tribal administrator for the Northway Tribal Council, and her beading activities.

Cora Demit was interviewed on April 22, 2015 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at the headquarters of the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge near Tok, Alaska. In this interview, Cora talks about her family background, her childhood, living at fish camp at Charlieskin, and the strong influence of her mother and grandmother. She talks about employment and education, and she also talks about history of use of the Nabesna and Northway areas for travel and trade routes, her Native values and traditions, lessons learned, and the importance of culture.

David and Moya James were interviewed 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 first part of a two part interview, David talks about working in logging, coming to settle in the Northway area, and living a remote lifestyle. He talks about hunting, trapping, mining, and being a fur buyer. He also talks about changes he has observed in the environment and the wildlife populations. Moya talks about sewing a special dress for her daughter and making quilts.

Wilson Justin was interviewed on October 20, 2014 by Karen Brewster and Barbara Cellarius at Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Wilson talks about growing up in Nabesna, Alaska, working as a hunting guide, and his family's history of traveling and trading in the Wrangell-St. Elias area. He also talks about Native history in the Nabesna and Chistochina area and their cultural traditions regarding clans, leadership, and potlatches.

Wilson Justin was interviewed on April 23, 2015 by Leslie McCartney and Barbara Cellarius at the offices of the Cheesh’na Tribal Council in Chistochina, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Wilson talks about how he and his family got into the sport hunting guiding business in the Wrangell Mountains. He also talks about changes in the guiding business, competition and cooperation between guides, and marketing the business to attract clients. Finally, Wilson talks about how his family supported establishment of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Frank and Sue Entsminger were interviewed on April 22, 2015 by Barbara Cellarius and Leslie McCartney at their home on the Tok Cutoff Road near Tok, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Frank and Sue talk about their personal backgrounds, interest in the outdoors and hunting, and coming to Alaska. They also talk about their hunting, guiding, and trapping, as well as changes in wildlife populations they have observed. Individually, Frank talks about his taxidermy business and becoming a bronze sculptor. Sue talks about earning extra income by selling hand-made fur hats and Native style dresses.

Verona "Ronnie" Budge was interviewed on September 11, 2015 by Barbara Cellarius at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park district ranger station in Slana, Alaska while Ronnie was back visiting the area for a few weeks from her home in Whitefish, Montana. In this interview, Ronnie talks about her husband, Chuck, being the first superintendent of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park from 1980-1984 and their life in the Copper River Basin during that time. She talks about settling into Kenny Lake, dealing with local animosity towards the Park Service, making connections in the community, and developing friendships with locals as well as other park employees at the time. She also talks about her frequent return visits to the area and changes she has seen in the region and with the national park.