Denali Whiting

This is the continuation of an interview with Ross Schaeffer on March 29, 2016 by Karen Brewster, Andy Mahoney, and Rebecca Rolph at his home in Kotzebue, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Ross talks about seal hunting and changing ice conditions around Kotzebue, including thinning ice, changes in freeze-up and break-up, being safe on the ice, and understanding weather and wind. He also talks about the effect of climate change on subsistence and the local lifestyle, and the continued relevance of traditional knowledge.

This is the continuation of an interview with Virgil Naylor, Sr. on March 30, 2016 by Karen Brewster, Andy Mahoney, and Rebecca Rolph at his home in Kotzebue, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Virgil talks about changes in the beluga whales in Kotzebue Sounds, changes in the landfast ice, ice safety, freeze-up, and importance of understanding the weather. He also talks about stories of hunters drifting out on the ice, adapting to meet environmental change, and how science can help understand changing ice conditions.

This is a continuation of the interview with Robert "Bobby" Schaeffer on March 30, 2016 by Karen Brewster, Andy Mahoney, and Rebecca Rolph in an apartment of the Fish and Wildlife Service bunkhouse in Kotzebue, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Bobby talks about the first time he led a seal hunt, changes in ice conditions, including pressure ridges, ice movement, and the stability of the ice. He also talks about changes in the storm pattern and winds, and the importance of protecting the ocean for the future of the Iñupiaq subsistence lifestyle.

This is the continuation of an interview with Cyrus Harris on March 31, 2016 by Karen Brewster, Andy Mahoney, and Rebecca Rolph in an apartment of the Fish and Wildlife Service bunkhouse in Kotzebue, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Cyrus talks about ice conditions in Kotzebue Sound, including effect of the current and the wind, changes in the storms, effects of overflow and tides, and determining safe ice. He also talks about seal hunting in a boat amongst broken ice floes and getting trapped in the ice, staking the trail between Kotzebue and Sisualik to provide a safe route, and the future of their subsistence lifestyle.

This is a continuation of an interview with John Haile Cloe on September 21, 2016 with Karen Brewster at the Baranof Hotel in Juneau, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, John talks about conducting research on and writing about Alaskan military history, the potential for a "new Cold War,"and impacts and legacy of the original Cold War. He also talks about the defense of military bases in Alaska, anti-aircraft weaponry, and surveillance. John also discusses the story of the Nike Missile Site disaster in Anchorage after the 1964 Earthquake.

Alfred Wells, Sr. from Noorvik, Alaska speaks on February 29, 1996 during the Communities of Memory public storytelling event held at the NANA Museum in Kotzebue, Alaska from February 29 to March 2, 1996. He talks about his experience in the Alaska Territorial Guard.

Levi "Alusuk" Mills, Sr. from Kotzebue, Alaska speaks on March 1, 1996 during the Communities of Memory public storytelling event held in Kotzebue, Alaska from February 29 to March 2, 1996. He talks about his experience in the military during World War II, including working on the airfield at Adak in the Aleutian Islands, where he saw the airplanes that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. Levi expresses pride in having served his country.

Daisy Walton from Noatak and Kotzebue, Alaska speaks on February 29, 1996 during the Communities of Memory public storytelling event held at the NANA Museum in Kotzebue, Alaska from February 29 to March 2, 1996. She praises the men who served in the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG), talks about her husband's experience in the military, and the hardships of life back at home that she had to deal with. She also talks about watching the ATG soldiers training when she was a little girl and learning how to shoot a gun herself, and what it was like when the men returned home.

Raymond Coppock from Kotzebue, Alaska speaks on February 29, 1996 during the Communities of Memory public storytelling event held at the NANA Museum in Kotzebue, Alaska from February 29 to March 2, 1996. He talks about his experience in the Alaska National Guard, including close contact with Russians during a search and rescue operation near the Siberian coast. He also shows great pride in his military service, thinks young people can learn a lot from being in the military, and suggests that those former Guard members can serve as role models in their communities.

Esther Norton from Noatak and Kotzebue, Alaska, speaks on February 29, 1996 during the Communities of Memory public storytelling event held at the NANA Museum in Kotzebue, Alaska from February 29 to March 2, 1996. She talks about hearing about World War II, listening to events on the radio, and the men training for the Alaska Territorial Guard. She discusses how important having a radio was and how she helped care for the sick in Noatak, and tells about the time when they suspected there was a submarine off the coast.

Luther Komonaseak was interviewed on May 9, 2008 by Matthew Druckenmiller in Wales, Alaska. In this interview, Luther talks about changing sea ice conditions, the relationship between ice conditions and whaling, the effect of wind and current on ice conditions, thinning ice, the fast movement of the ice, and the presence of open water. He also discusses dangerous ice conditions and how to be safe on the ice.

Winton "Utuktaaq" Weyapuk, Jr. was interviewed by Matthew Druckenmiller on May 8, 2008 in Wales, Alaska. In this interview, Winton talks about the effect of sea ice conditions on spring whaling, the effect of wind and current on ice conditions, thickness of the ice, and the effect of tides on the ice. He also talks about ice safety.

John Goodwin was interviewed on May 17, 2017 by Karen Brewster and Andy Mahoney at his home in Kotzebue, Alaska. His wife, Pearl, also participated in parts of the interview. In this first part of a two part interview, John talks about growing up in traditional susistence lifestyle and moving between seasonal camps, running a dogteam, hunting ringed seals in the winter on the landfast ice, traveling by boat in the early summer through the scattered ice floes to hunt bearded seal (ugruk), and how to stay safe on the ice. He also talks about getting caught in moving ice and drifting out, and the importance of paying attention to the weather, wind, and current. John discusses changing sea ice conditions in Kotzebue Sound, including thinning ice and timing of freeze-up and break-up.

Willie Goodwin, Jr. and Joe Harris, Sr. were interviewed on May 17, 2017 by Karen Brewster and Andy Mahoney in an apartment of the Fish and Wildlife Service bunkhouse in Kotzebue, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Willie and Joe share their experiences with learning to hunt seals on shorefast ice and amidst moving, broken pieces of ice, and gaining knowledge of sea ice conditions and safety. They talk about the importance of understanding ice conditions, the effect of wind and current, freeze-up and break-up, and how conditions have changed in their lifetimes. They also discuss times when people have drifted out on moving ice.

Frank "Obbie" Greene is interviewed on May 17, 2017 by Karen Brewster and Andy Mahoney at his home in Kotzebue, Alaska. In this interview, Frank talks about hunting seals and being on and around the ice of Kotzebue Sound. He discusses the effect of wind and current on ice movement, observing the color of the ice to determine thickness and safe conditions, the presence of tidal overflow, and the effect of big storms. He also discusses beluga whale hunting, the processes that occur during freeze-up and break-up, and knowing when it is safe to be out on the ice. At the time of this interview, Frank was not in the best of health, but he did the best he could under the circumstances to tell stories and share his knowledge. At one point during the interview, his wife, Linda, came in to check on him, and to meet the interviewers and find out the purpose of the project.

This is the continuation of an interview with Roy and Savik Ahmaogak on June 1, 2017 by Karen Brewster at their home in Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow). In this second part of a two part interview, Roy talks about the large ice-break off event that happened offshore from Barrow in 1997, the effect of wind and current on ice movement, and how he learned about ice from elders. About half way through, Savik Ahmaogak joins the interview and discusses some of his experiences hunting out on the ice, the importance of watching the ice and the current to keep from getting drifted out, and two times when he got got caught in moving and piling ice. He also talks about learning about ice, ice safety, and how his grandfather got drifted out on the ice.

This is the continuation of an interview with Steve Ommittuk on June 2, 2017 by Karen Brewster at the Tuzzy Consortium Library in Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow). Steve lives in Point Hope, but was in Utqiaġvik attending the 2017 North Slope Elders/Youth Conference and was able to take time away from sessions to participate in this interview. In this second part of a two part interview, Steve talks about the effect of wind and current on sea ice conditions, the importance of checking the ice thickness and cracks in order to remain safe, and the ice conditions needed in order to pull up a whale and adaptation to changing conditions. He also talks about changes in the timing of break-up effecting bearded seal hunting, the whaling celebrations in Point Hope, ice conditions in the 2016 and 2017 whaling season, and the importance of listening to elders and paying attention to ice conditions.

Wesley Uġiaqtaq Aiken was interviewed on June 3, 2017 by Karen Brewster and Craig George at his home in Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow). In this first part of a two part interview, Wesley talks about learning to hunt and understand ice conditions. He discusses hunting seals, in particular how to set a net at their breathing holes on the ice. He also talks about changes in the thickness of the ice and how this has affected the development of pressure ridges. He tells some stories about people getting caught out on drifting ice, as well as shares his personal experience with getting caught in fast moving and piling ice and losing all his whaling equipment in 1957.

Craig George was interviewed on June 4, 2017 by Karen Brewster at his home in Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow). In this first part of a two part interview, Craig talks about how he got involved with bowhead whale research, establishing whale census camps on the ice, and learning about whales and ice conditions from local Iñupiat experts. He also discusses some of what he has learned about sea ice conditions, including effect of wind and current, the importance of camp location, changes in ice conditions during his years of working out there, effect of rough ice on trail building, and the importance of ice safety and paying attention.