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Ruth Sensenig
![Ruth Sensenig Ruth Sensenig](https://jukebox.uaf.edu/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/people/Ruth%20Sensenig%20portrait.jpg?itok=poi2MTV3)
Ruth Sensenig lives in Homer, Alaska and has transcribed interviews for Project Jukebox and the Oral History Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in particular all of the interviews in the Observing Climate Change in Alaska's National Parks Project Jukebox and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park oral history project.
As Transcriber
Interview Title | Archive #: Oral History | Project | Abstract | Transcriber |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tahzay Jones | 2018-14-10 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Tahzay Jones was interviewed on March 29, 2019 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at the offices of the regional headquarters of the National Park Service-Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska. In this interview, Tahzay talks about his work as the Oceans and Coastal Programs Coordinator for the Alaska region of the National Park Service, which has allowed him to be involved with monitoring and studying coastal ecosystems of Alaska and the effects of environmental change. In this interview, Tahzay talks specifically about his work with coastal lagoons, coastal erosion, changes in vegetation, collapsing permafrost, and changes in sea ice and weather patterns around the Seward Peninsula and in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. He also discusses his field work, the importance of protecting cultural and natural resources, human adaptation to change, and the importance of educating the public about the changing environment in the north. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jacob Martin | 2018-14-11 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
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. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jeanette Koelsch, Part 1 | 2018-14-12 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Jeanette Koelsch is interviewed on April 17, 2019 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen in her office at the headquarters of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Nome, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Jeanette talks about her experience as a field ranger and as an interpretative ranger doing school programs for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, as well as her current role as superintendent. She discusses her observations of changes in the environment in the region, including variations in the seasons, vegetation, species, sea ice, storm patterns, and erosion, and the effect of these changes on wildlife and humans. She also mentions some of the resource protection and management challenges these changes present for the National Park Service. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jeanette Koelsch, Part 2 | 2018-14-13 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
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. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Letty Hughes | 2018-14-14 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Letty Hughes was interviewed on April 14, 2019 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen in her office at the headquarters of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Letty talks about her wildlife research and survey work as the preserve's wildlife biologist and observations she has made about environmental change and its effect on wildlife and human use in the region. She also discusses the effect of a changing environment on the ability to conduct fieldwork in the area and about the importance of educating a broad public audience about the impacts of change in the north. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Emily Willis, Part 1 | 2018-14-01_PT.1 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Emily Willis was interviewed on October 4, 2018 by Karen Brewster and Susannah Dowds at Emily's home in Skagway, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Emily talks about her work with herbal and medicinal uses of plants, and environmental changes she has observed while foraging in the woods and working in her backyard garden since moving to Skagway in 2002. She discusses the uses of specific plants, her harvesting and growing techniques, and changes in plants, trees, mushrooms, birds, weather conditions, and the length of the growing season. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Emily Willis, Part 2 | 2018-14-01_PT.2 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
This is the continuation of an interview with Emily Willis on October 4, 2018 by Karen Brewster and Susannah Dowds at Emily's house in Skagway, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Emily leads a walking tour through her garden, stopping along the way to talk about specific plants and their uses, changes she has noticed in plants, her gardening and transplanting techniques, and her successes and failures working with wild and native species in her garden. Karen runs the video camera and Susannah is holding the microphone as they walk on the uneven path through Emily's hillside garden and try to keep up with her as she excitedly talks about plants along the way. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Stan Selmer, Part 1 | 2018-14-02_PT.1 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Stan Selmer was interviewed on October 5, 2018 by Karen Brewster at his home in Skagway, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Stan talks about the development of and possible impacts of the Goat Lake Hydroelectric Project built in the 1990s as a way to provide more electricity to the community of Skagway, as well as the Dewey Lakes and Kasidaya Creek hydro projects. He also shares his observations of environmental change in Skagway from his childhood to the present, including: weather observations; winter temperatures, snowfall, and icing conditions; flooding and river water levels; cruise ship air pollution; wind; melting glaciers; trees; and warmer summer temperatures and drier conditions. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Stan Selmer, Part 2 | 2018-14-02_PT.2 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
This is a continuation of an interview with Stan Selmer on October 5, 2018 by Karen Brewster at his home in Skagway, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Stan discusses observations of environmental change, including forest fires and temperature, and possible causes underlying environmental change. He also talks about lead and zinc pollution issues in Skagway and at its ore terminal, the relationship between the City of Skagway and the National Park Service on historic resource protection and the Moore House boundary debate, and changes in Skagway due to tourism. He also mentions his tenure on the City Council and as mayor, and his efforts to require sprinkler systems be installed in historic district buildings. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Carl Mulvihill, Interview 2 | 2018-14-03 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Carl Mulvihill was interviewed on October 5, 2018 by Karen Brewster at his home in Skagway, Alaska. In this interview, Carl talks about his observations of environmental and community change throughout his lifetime of living in Skagway, Alaska. He discusses changes in seasons, temperatures, and precipitation, changes in bird, fish and wildlife populations, and the melting of glaciers and warmer winters than when he was a boy. He also talks about invasive species, berries, gardening, increased presence of air pollution from cruise ships, pollution from ore and mineral transportation, and changes in environmental consciousness that have led to less ocean pollution and more efficient building construction and lower energy costs. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Lynne Cameron and Susan Fredricks | 2018-14-05 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Lynne Cameron and Susan Fredricks were interviewed on October 6, 2018 by Karen Brewster at the home they share in Skagway, Alaska. In this interview, they discuss their observations of and concerns about environmental change they have witnessed after having lived in Skagway since the mid-1980s. As gardeners, they talk about changes they have observed in the growing season, the weather and amounts of precipitation, the types of plants that succeed or fail, insect species, invasive species, and plant diseases. They also discuss other changes, such as with Lynne's beekeeping activities, trees, growth of alpine vegetation, air pollution, glaciers, birds, and shellfish. Finally, Lynne and Susan talk about the issue of lead contamination in Skagway and the possible human health effects, and the importance of living an environmentally responsible and sustainable lifestyle. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Andrew and Joanne Beierly, Part 1 | 2018-14-04_PT.1 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Andrew and Joanne Beierly were interviewed on October 5, 2018 by Karen Brewster at the Peniel Mission building in Skagway, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, the Beierlys talk about changes in the local environment they have observed in their close to 70 years of living in Skagway and their daily beach walks. They talk about changes in the bird, animal, and fish populations, the presence of different insect species and invasive plants, receding glaciers, and changes in the seasons, temperatures, and weather patterns. They also discuss the unusual large die-off and starvation of common murres that occurred in 2016. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Andrew and Joanne Beierly, Part 2 | 2018-14-04_PT.2 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
This is the continuation of an interview with Andrew and Joanne Beierly on October 5, 2018 by Karen Brewster at the Peniel Mission building in Skagway, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, the Beierlys continue to discuss their observations of environmental change in Skagway. They talk more about the unusual large die-off and starvation of common murres that occurred in 2016, as well as changes in weather, precipitation, seasonal timing, wind, snowfall and ice. They also discuss floods, and environmental changes in Dyea. Finally, they mention changes in the community of Skagway due to tourism. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Bea Lingle, Part 1 | 2018-14-06_PT.1 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Bea Lingle was interviewed on October 7, 2018 by Karen Brewster in Bea's room in her daughter, Kathy, and son-in-law's house in Skagway, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Bea shares her memories of growing up in Skagway in the 1930s and 1940s and how things have changed in terms of the weather, the temperatures, the amount of snow and ice in the winter, the wind, and the summer temperatures and precipitation. Bea also talks about changes in the growth of vegetation she has observed at her cabin in Carcross, the presence of various bird species, and the recent success of apple trees in Skagway. She also begins to discuss observations of environmental change in Dyea, Alaska. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Bea Lingle, Part 2 | 2018-14-06_PT.2 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
This is the continuation of an interview with Bea Lingle on October 7, 2018 by Karen Brewster in Bea's room in her daughter, Kathy, and son-in-law's house in Skagway, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Bea continues to talk about environmental changes in and around Skagway, including in Dyea. She also talks about the effect of having the National Park Service in Skagway, the changes in the community and buildings, and changes to the layout of Skagway streets, Pullen Creek and Pullen Pond. She also mentions observations of changes to the glaciers in the area, and specifically mentions flooding in Dyea from from a glacial lake outwash. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Betsy Albecker | 2018-14-07 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Betsy Albecker was interviewed on October 9, 2018 by Karen Brewster at her home in Skagway, Alaska. In this interview, Betsy talks about the effects of environmental change that she has observed, including receding glaciers such as Laughton Glacier that she walked to when she was a kid, variation in plant species that succeed or fail in her garden, changes in the length of the growing season, warmer winters with less snow, and this summer’s hot and dry weather. She also talks about the successful growth of cedar trees that her mother planted at Nahku Bay, the effect of glacial rebound on the landscape, differences in insects, an increase in jellyfish, the disappearance of blue snails from the beaches, a decrease in birds, and changes in the frost, planting and harvesting seasons. On October 10, 2018, Betsy provided a tour of the Nahku Bay homestead and garden, including the cedar trees, apple trees, and her formerly productive garden space. Photos of this are included as the Betsy Albecker Slideshow. |
Ruth Sensenig |
John McDermott | 2018-14-08 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
John McDermott was interviewed on October 9, 2018 by Karen Brewster in Skagway, Alaska. In this interview, John talks about his observations of environmental change in the Skagway and Dyea area. He discusses changes in weather, temperature, precipitation, snow fall, wind, storms, river flooding, and glaciers. In particular, he mentions the West Creek Flood and erosion along the Taiya River. He also talks about his experience as a gardener and changes in the growing season, as well as changes in local bird and wildlife populations. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jeff and Dorothy Brady, Part 1 | 2018-14-09_PT.1 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Jeff and Dorothy Brady were interviewed on October 9, 2018 by Karen Brewster at their home in Skagway, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Jeff and Dorothy talk about their lives in Skagway and environmental changes they have observed over time in Skagway and Dyea. As an avid gardener, Dorothy talks about changes she has seen in the plants in her garden and the shifts in her gardening techniques and the effects of seasonal weather changes. As active outdoors people, both Jeff and Dorothy discuss their observations of winter and summer temperatures and precipitation, the timing of freeze-up and break-up, changes in wildlife, bird, tree, and plant populations, receding glaciers, changes in rivers and flooding, and effects on human infrastructure. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jeff and Dorothy Brady, Part 2 | 2018-14-09_PT.2 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
This is the continuation of an interview with Jeff and Dorothy Brady on October 10, 2018 by Karen Brewster at their home in Skagway, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, the Bradys continue to talk about observations of environmental change in the Skagway and Dyea area. They discuss pollution and water contamination, changes in fish and bird populations, and the occurance of rock slides into the harbor. They also talk about changing species in the garden and express concerns about increased potential for forest fires, as well as the need for increased awareness and action on environmental change around the world. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Elaine Furbish | 2017-01-86_CCexcerpt | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Elaine Furbish was interviewed on October 6, 2018 by Karen Brewster at the National Park Service’s restored Peniel Mission building in Skagway, Alaska. In this interview, Elaine talked about both her work as the Natural Resources Manager at Klondike National Historical Park and her research on and observations of environmental change during her twenty years of living in Skagway. Only the portion of the interview related to environmental change is included in the Observing Change in Alaska's National Park Project Jukebox. The full interview (ORAL HISTORY 2017-01-86) can be obtained through the UAF Oral History Office. In this part of the interview, Elaine talks about studying lichen to monitor for air quality, the need for scientitifc research and inventory and monitoring, the importance of citizen science projects, and some of the area's fire history and ecology. Elaine also discusses local air pollution from cruise ships and provides observations of environmental change, including a large seabird die-off in 2016, variation in winter and summer weather, appearance of different insects and bird species, and the shrinking of local glaciers. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Dave Swanson | 2018-14-15 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
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. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Roy Ashenfelter | 2018-14-16 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Roy Ashenfelter was interviewed on February 4, 2020 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve offices in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Roy talks about growing up following a seasonal subsistence lifestyle and his observations of environmental change throughout his lifetime in the region. He discusses changes in sea ice, seals, seasonal timing, moose, caribou, vegetation, beavers, fish, permafrost, and pollution. He also talks about problems of accessing resources as the environment changes. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Charlie Lean | 2018-14-17 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
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. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Howard Farley, Sr., Interview 2 | 2018-14-18 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Howard Farley, Sr. 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, Howard shares stories from his life living in Nome and talks about some of the changes he has observed in the community. He also discusses changes in fishing, reindeer herding, weather patterns, ocean temperature, crabs, sea ice, and industrial marine traffic. He also talks about his own subsistence activities, the history of the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race, and his involvement with local tourism. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Vera Metcalf | 2018-14-19 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
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. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Gay Sheffield | 2018-14-20 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Gay Sheffield was interviewed on February 6, 2020 by Leslie McCartney at the Northwest Campus of the University of Alaska in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Gay talks about her observations of and scientific research on environmental change in the Nome region. She discusses changes in the marine ecosystem, ocean currents and water temperature, fish, seals, sea birds, biotoxins and algal blooms, weather patterns, sea ice, wind, and industrial marine traffic. She also talks about scientific surveys of the Bering Sea region, the importance of local knowledge, and concerns about impacts to subsistence and local food resources. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Ken Adkisson | 2018-14-21 | Observing Change in Alaska's National Parks |
Ken Adkisson was interviewed on February 7, 2020 by Leslie McCartney and Katie Cullen at the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve offices in Nome, Alaska. In this interview, Ken talks about his observations of environmental change in the region, including weather patterns, snowfall, travel and access, marine ecosystem, ocean temperature, permafrost, vegetation, moose, beaver, caribou, bears, fish, sea birds, and marine industrial traffic. He also talks about park and wildlife management issues, subsistence, cultural change, archeological research, and human adaptation. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Don and Jan Woodruff | 2021-03-01 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Don and Jan Woodruff were interviewed on August 3, 2021 by Marcy Okada, Subsistence Coordinator for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, at their home in Eagle, Alaska. In this interview, Don and Jan talk about living a subsistence lifestyle along the Yukon River in a remote cabin on the Kandik River and in Eagle. Don talks about building a cabin, the daily routine of life, catching and processing fish, trapping and preparing the skins and fur for sale, and traveling by dogteam and canoe. Jan and Don discuss building friendships, learning subsistence skills and what living this lifestyle has meant to them. They also talk about running dogs, having a garden, the busy lifestyle of seasonal food gathering and processing, and changes in the environment and salmon populations they've observed. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Elisabeth Sager | 2021-03-02 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Elisabeth Sager was interviewed on August 3, 2021 by Marcy Okada, Subsistence Coordinator for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, outside in Elisabeth's garden at her home in Eagle, Alaska. In this interview, Elisabeth talks about living a subsistence-based lifestyle at a remote cabin on Trout Creek, a tributary of the Yukon River. She describes picking a cabin site, building a cabin, the daily routine of cabin life, raising children in a remote setting, raising and caring for dogs, traveling by dogteam and boat, and spending months alone at the cabin with her children while her husband ran his trapline. Elisabeth also talks about the seasonal subsistence activities of fishing and berrypicking in the summer, hunting moose and bear in the fall, and trapping in the winter. Finally, Elisabeth shares some of her thoughts and feelings about living close to the land, conservation, and protecting the planet from continued human impacts. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Sonja Sager | 2021-03-03 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Sonja Sager was interviewed on August 3, 2021 by Marcy Okada, Subsistence Coordinator for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve in the garden outside her mother, Elisabeth Sager's, home in Eagle, Alaska. Near the end of the interview there was too much background noise of other people and dogs, so Sonja and Marcy moved and finished the interview inside the old Sager family cabin nearby. In this interview, Sonja talks about growing up in a remote cabin on Trout Creek, a tributary of the Yukon River, and living a subsistence-based lifestyle both at Trout Creek and in Eagle. She also talks about the Native history of the area and the relationship between the Natives and non-Natives, developing friendships, and the joys and challenges of living out on the river and in a small town. Sonja also shares her thoughts on changes in fish and wildlife populations, predator and prey management of wolves and caribou, and the National Park Service and land use management issues. Finally, Sonja emphasizes the value of a subsistence lifestyle, the importance of maintaining subsistence opportunities, and her great love for the land and river and her connection to this area. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Judy Bittner | 2021-04-02 | Iditarod National Historic Trail |
Judy Bittner was interviewed on November 2, 2021 by Karen Brewster in a conference room at the Office of History and Archeology, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, in the Robert B. Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. In this interview, Judy talks about the history of designation of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, the Advisory Council for the Iditarod National Historic Trail that was formed to oversee implementation of a comprehensive management plan for the trail, and the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, which is the current non-profit trail advocacy and education organization. She discusses collaborating with the Bureau of Land Management who is the designated trail administer, resolving land ownership, conveyance, state selection, and right of way easement issues along the trail, coordinating with local groups on trail stewardship, and the Council and Alliance’s education and outreach activities to encourage the public to support trail preservation and understand the trail’s important history, such as publications and the Alliance’s teacher training program (Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom - iTREC). She also mentions the administrative and financial workings of the Alliance as non-profit, and trail projects that they have undertaken, including construction of shelter cabins and nomination of historic structures along the route to the National Register of Historic Places. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Leo Rasmussen | 2021-04-01 | Iditarod National Historic Trail |
Leo Rasmussen was interviewed on October 12, 2021 by Karen Brewster at his home in Fairbanks, Alaska. His wife, Erna, was also present during the interview and chimed in periodically to help Leo remember a detail. In this interview, Leo talks about the efforts to get the Iditarod Trail designated as a national historic trail, serving on the Advisory Council for the Iditarod National Historic Trail and on the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, attending national trail conferences, and working with BLM on the trail’s designation and management. As a resident of Nome, and having served on the City Council and as mayor, Leo was very involved with the establishment of and continued running of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. He talks a lot about the race and how it helped revive the use of the trail and so get it protected as historic. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Pat Pourchot | 2021-04-03 | Iditarod National Historic Trail |
Pat Pourchot was interviewed on November 2, 2021 by Karen Brewster in a conference room at the Office of History and Archeology, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, in the Robert B. Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. In this interview, Pat talks about his involvement with the designation of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. He discusses working on the 1977 gold rush trails study for the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (The Iditarod Trail (Seward-Nome Route) and other Alaskan Gold Rush Trails), and the role Joe Redington played in getting the trail recognized and protected. Pat also talks about working for Senator Mike Gravel in Washington, D.C., negotiating with other senate staff, and helping to get the legislation passed that officially designated the Iditarod Trail as a national historic trail. Pat also talks about his other work on D-2 lands legislation, review of Wild and Scenic Rivers in Alaska, public land issues under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), serving in the Alaska legislature and as Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, as well as other trail and conservation advocacy work. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Dan Seavey, Interview 2 | 2021-04-04 | Iditarod National Historic Trail |
Dan Seavey was interviewed on November 3, 2021 by Karen Brewster at his home in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, Dan talks about getting involved with the Iditarod National Historic Trail because of his dog mushing activities and helping to start the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1973. Having been appointed to the initial Advisory Council for the Iditarod National Historic Trail in 1981 and now being a board member for the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, Dan is the longest serving member of the organization. He discusses the work accomplished by these organizations, and specifically highlights his efforts to get recognition for the southern portion of the Iditarod Trail from Seward to Knik and the establishment of a complete recreational trail along the historic route in this section. Dan also discusses his involvement with the Seward Trail Blazers, the local Iditarod Trail advocacy and stewardship group, and the Alliance’s teacher training program (Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom - iTREC). |
Ruth Sensenig |
Lee Poleske | 2021-04-05 | Iditarod National Historic Trail |
Lee Poleske was interviewed on November 3, 2021 by Karen Brewster at his home in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, Lee talks about getting involved with the Iditarod National Historic Trail Alliance through the local Seward Trail Blazers group. He discusses the group’s accomplishments of getting the Seward section of the trail recognized and a bike path constructed along the first part of the route, installing Mile 0 signs and interpretive panels, and creating commemorative statues to honor the early gold miners who walked the trail and trail pioneer Jujiro Wada. He also talks about their public education activities, including participating in the Alliance’s teacher training program (Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom - iTREC), producing a newsletter for both the Trail Blazers and the Alliance, receiving support from the local staff of the Chugach National Forest/U.S. Forest Service, and recognition of the southern portion of the Iditarod Trail and construction of a complete recreational trail along the historic route. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Sharon Long | 2021-04-06 | Iditarod National Historic Trail |
Sharon Long was interviewed on November 4, 2021 by Karen Brewster in a conference room at the Office of History and Archeology, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, in the Robert B. Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. In this interview, Sharon talks about her role in the early legislative process for designation of the Iditarod Trail as a national historic trail. She discusses working for Senator Mike Gravel and negotiating with other senators, such as Senator Ted Stevens, Henry Jackson, and Frank Church, to gain support for the legislation. Sharon also talks about her other work on D-2 lands legislation, with the Federal State Land Use Planning Commission, and on public land issues under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). |
Ruth Sensenig |
Delois Burggraf, Interview 1 | 2022-01-01 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Delois Burggraf was interviewed on December 7, 2021 by Karen Brewster at Delois' home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Her son, Alfred "Bear" Ketzler, Jr., was also present during the interview and periodically chimes in with his own comments. In this first part of a three part interview, Delois talks about life in Nenana, Alaska in the early 1950s, the work of her father, Charlie Purvis, with Al Starr and her then husband, Al Ketzler, Sr., on early Alaska Native land issues, and the organization of meetings in 1962 to begin discussion about Native land claims. Delois also talks about some of the non-Native allies who helped in the early days, including LaVerne Madigan of the Association of American Indian Affairs, and Kay Hitchcock and Sandy Jensen of Fairbanks. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Delois Burggraf, Interview 2 | 2022-01-02 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
This is a continuation of the interview with Delois Burggraf on December 13, 2021 by Karen Brewster at Delois' home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Her son, Alfred "Bear" Ketzler, Jr., was also present during the interview and periodically chimes in with his own comments. In this second part of a three part interview, Delois talks about the early days of the Native land claims movement in Nenana and Tanana in the early 1960s, and other Native land issues that were occurring around the state that led up to it. She discusses the connections between Alaska Natives and non-Natives, finding allies and building trust, and efforts made to gain support from churches. She also talks about how important individual people were to the movement, the role of her parents, Charlie and Dorothea Purvis, the courage it took for Alaska Natives to speak out, the stress they suffered, and the lack of appreciation for some of these early leaders. She also comments on the results of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Delois Burggraf, Interview 3 | 2022-01-03 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
This is a continuation of the interview with Delois Burggraf on February 24, 2022 by Karen Brewster at Delois' home in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this third part of a three part interview, Delois continues to discuss her involvement with the early Native land claims movement in Alaska in the 1960s and 1970s leading up to passage of the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971. She talks about petitioning for a land freeze, filing an injunction on construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the people involved in the land claims movement, the stress they were under, and the personal and family impacts of this stress. She also talks about the legacy of ANCSA, the corporate structure, and her lack of continued activism after passage of ANCSA. Throughout the interview, Delois provides a lot of background history and socio-cultural context for Native and non-Native relations and changes she has seen since moving to Alaska as a child. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jim Kowalsky | 2022-01-04 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
James "Jim" Kowalsky was interviewed on February 9, 2022 by William Schneider and Karen Brewster at Jim's home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Philip Wight participated in the interview from his home elsewhere in Fairbanks by calling in and being on the speaker of an I-phone placed on the table in front of Jim. In this interview, Jim talks about his involvement with the conservation movement during the period of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). He discusses the lawsuit filed over construction of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline that led to ANCSA, formation of the Fairbanks Environmental Center (eventually becoming the Northern Alaska Environmental Center), the struggle for recognition of subsistence rights, and the relationship between the conservation community and Alaska Natives. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Sam Demientieff, Interview 3 | 2022-01-05 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Sam Demientieff was interviewed on March 2, 2022 by Bill Schneider and Karen Brewster at Sam's home in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Sam reflects on the legacy of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and his involvement in various aspects of its implementation. He talks about the setting up of regional and village corporations, shareholders and types of shares, the business focus of the corporations, business and resource development, and net operating losses. He also talks about working for the Interior Village Association to help villages set up their own corporations, serving on the board of Doyon Ltd., some of the business ventures and investments made by Doyon, Ltd., and working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs during the time when Alaska tribes were working toward gaining federal recognition. Sam also shares his thoughts on the future of ANCSA corporations and the Native way of life. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Mary Nordale | 2022-01-06 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Mary Nordale was interviewed on March 8, 2022 by Karen Brewster and Bill Schneider at Mary's home in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Mary talks about working in the Washington, D.C. office of Alaska's Senator E.L. "Bob" Bartlett and being involved in early discussions about Alaska Native land claims. Specifically, she discusses her role in development of the corporate structure for managing the lands and money from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), and mentoring she received from Bob Bennett, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Mary also talks about other people involved with drafting the legislation, the subsistence and revenue sharing aspects of ANCSA, and her views on the success and legacy of the corporations. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Colleen Redman | 2022-01-07 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Colleen Redman was interviewed on March 14, 2022 by Karen Brewster at Colleen's home in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Colleen talks about her work as a social worker in Fairbanks, her brother, Tom Snapp, the Tundra Times and the All-Alaska Weekly newspapers, and their role during the Alaska Native land claims period. She discusses how the papers were founded and funded, how the All-Alaska Weekly was produced and printed, and her role working for the All-Alaska Weekly. She also talks about Tom Snapp helping Howard Rock start the Tundra Times, Native and non-Native relationships, Tom's devotion to journalism, professional journalism ethics, the importance of newspapers in keeping the public informed, and Tom's legacy as one of Alaska's premier newspapermen. Correction: There was some confusion about dates during the interview. The Iñupiat Paitot meeting held in Utqiaġvik (formerly known as Barrow), Alaska actually occurred in November 1961, and the Tundra Times newspapers started publishing in October 1962. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Irene Rowan | 2022-01-08 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Irene Sparks Rowan was interviewed on April 18, 2022 by Bill Schneider and Karen Brewster over Zoom audio-conference with Irene in Anchorage, Alaska and Bill and Karen at each of their homes in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Irene talks about her involvement with the land claims movement and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCWA), assisting Alaska Natives visiting Washington, D.C. through the Alaskans on the Potomac group, running a campaign for enrollment in ANCSA corporations, and fighting to get Kluwkan, Inc. recognized as an ANCSA village corporation and be able to select lands outside of their immediate area. Irene also talks about key players she worked with, her challenges and accomplishments, and the legacy of ANCSA for Alaska Natives today. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Alfred "Bear" Ketzler, Jr. | 2022-01-09 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Alfred "Bear" Ketzler, Jr. was interviewed on April 20, 2022 by Karen Brewster at his home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Despite best efforts to be in a quiet location, by the end of the interview, Bear's household was beginning to get busy as family members returned home at the end of the day and dinnertime approached, so there is some background noise of people talking, walking, and preparing food in the kitchen. In this interview, Bear talks about the early days of the Alaska Native land claims movement in Nenana and Tanana, his parents' and grandfather's role, growing up in that political and high stress environment, and his childhood memories of and experiences with meetings, learning about the issues, and meeting key players. He also talks about his own life and career, the influence his family had on his own work in Native governance, and the effects of ANCSA and Native regional corporations on Alaska Natives. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Walter "Wally" Carlo, Interview 2 | 2022-01-10 | Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act |
Walter "Wally" Carlo was interviewed on April 25, 2022 by Bill Schneider and Karen Brewster through the Zoom audio-conferencing software with each person being at their own homes in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Wally talks about implementation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act by the Native regional corporations, in particular his experience with Doyon, Ltd. He discusses the ups and downs of the corporation, the learning curve for how to operate a corporation and handle investments, and the use of the net operating loss program after investing in an asbestos mine that could not be developed. He also talks about the economic impact of the Native corporations and their need to balance resource development with environmental stewardship and the continuation of Native lifestyles and traditions. Wally also shares his thoughts on climate change and provides an overview of his family history in the Rampart area and along the Yukon and Koyukuk Rivers. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Becker Family | 2021-03-09 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Ruby and Nate Becker and their thirteen-year-old twin daughters, Grace and Genevieve, and their seven-year-old son, Hunter, were interviewed on July 20, 2022 by Marcy Okada of the National Park Service and Karen Brewster of the Oral History Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the Charlie Juneby Tribal Hall in Eagle Village, Alaska. In this interview, the Beckers talk about living at a remote cabin along the Yukon River inside Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. They talk about the challenges of maintaining this off-grid lifestyle and raising children there, as well as the joys of living on the land and close to nature. They discuss their subsistence hunting, fishing, gathering, and trapping activities, using a dogteam and other forms of transportation, and staying connected with family and the outside world. All three children chime in at various times with their own memories and stories of particular events, such as seeing a black wolf or the rescue of a swan, and how they feel about their remote cabin living experience. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Bertha Ulvi and Ruth Ridley, Interview 1 | 2021-03-06 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Bertha Ulvi and Ruth Ridley were interviewed on July 19, 2022 by Marcy Okada of the National Park Service and Karen Brewster of the Oral History Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the Charlie Juneby Tribal Hall in Eagle Village, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Bertha and Ruth talk about growing up out on Snare Creek and at the Coal Creek mining camp where their father was working. They talk about living a subsistence lifestyle, being supported by the mining company, spending summers at their grandparent's fish camp, fishing for grayling, their father's moose hunting, berry picking, and eating traditional foods like porcupine. They also talk about knowing their Native language, attending school, and the challenges of learning English and leaving the village. They also discuss their later years when when Bertha was a community health aide and lived on a trapline with her husband, waterfowl and ptarmigan hunting, traditional skills, traditional medicine, and other locations in the area where they have practiced subsistence activities. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Bertha Ulvi and Ruth Ridley, Interview 2 | 2021-03-07 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Bertha Ulvi and Ruth Ridley were interviewed on July 20, 2022 by Marcy Okada of the National Park Service and Karen Brewster of the Oral History Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the Charlie Juneby Tribal Hall in Eagle Village, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Bertha and Ruth continue to talk about their lives at Eagle Village along the Yukon River. In particular, they discuss attending boarding school in Oregon, subsistence hunting, fishing and trapping activities, traditional plant use and traditional medicine, locations where they have practiced subsistence activities, and recent changes in the salmon population. Bertha also shares stories of taking care of their elderly mother and grandmother, and living on the trapline and hunting moose and caribou during the early years of her marriage. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Micah Malcolm | 2021-03-08 | Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve |
Micah Malcolm was interviewed on July 20, 2022 by Marcy Okada of the National Park Service and Karen Brewster of the Oral History Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the Charlie Juneby Tribal Hall in Eagle Village, Alaska. In this interview, Micah talks about growing up in Eagle Village, learning traditional skills from his mother, and going hunting, trapping and fishing. He mentions moose, caribou and sheep hunting, and running a trapline for marten and beaver. He also talks about village floods, and his wood working and carving skills, including making his own toys, building a wood hauling sled and a fish wheel, and creating detailed carvings of dog teams, model airplanes, and village dioramas. He also relays a story about "the Mad Trapper." |
Ruth Sensenig |
Jennifer "Jen" Andrulli | 2021-02-32 | Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine and Traditional Healing |
Jennifer "Jen" Andrulli was interviewed on October 10, 2022 by Stefanie Burich via Zoom. Jen was in Soldotna, Alaska and Stefanie was in Anchorage, Alaska. In this interview, Jen talks about her work with traditional plant harvesting and use of plants for medicinal purposes. Jen talks about traditional healing and the importance of plants for physical and emotional healing, re-connecting with cultural traditions, and how this knowledge is part of what she calls the "Great Remembering." Jen shares her families traditions of respect for plants and the natural world and some of her knowledge about specific plants and how she processes and uses them. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Mary Goddard | 2021-02-33 | Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine and Traditional Healing |
Mary Goddard was interviewed on October 18, 2022 by Stefani Burich via Zoom. Mary was in Sitka, Alaska and Stefani was in Anchorage, Alaska. In this interview, Mary talks about her harvesting and use of traditional plants for food and for medicine. She talks about learning about plants, and specific plants she uses for food and medicine, such as elderberries, bladderwrack and black seaweed, usnea lichen, spruce tips, yarrow, and Labrador tea. Mary also expresses concerns about overharvesting and shares observations of effects of climate change. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Meda DeWitt | 2021-02-34 | Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine and Traditional Healing |
Meda DeWitt was interviewed on October 28, 2022 by Jennifer "Jen" Andrulli via Zoom. Meda was in Anchorage, Alaska and Jen was in Soldotna, Alaska. In this interview, Meda talks about her work as a traditional healer and the plants she uses. She also discusses the impacts of colonization on Alaska Native cultural systems, in particular that of traditional medicine and traditional healers. She also discusses the importance of understanding Indigenous language terms and perspectives, traditional agricultural methods, and transplanting of indigenous plants. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Kim Aspelund | 2021-02-35 | Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine and Traditional Healing |
Kim Aspelund was interviewed on November 3, 2022 by Jennifer Andrulli via Zoom. Kim was in Palmer, Alaska and Jennifer was in Soldotna, Alaska. In this interview, Kim talks about harvesting and using local plants for Native traditional foods and medicine, including how she uses specific plants. She shares her experience learning about plants and how important it is for her to continue to share this knowledge. She emphasizes the importance of balance and approaching the gathering and processing of plants with the correct energy and attitude. She also comments on the combination of Western science with traditional Native practices. |
Ruth Sensenig |
Eva Burk | 2021-02-36 | Ethnobotany, Ethnomedicine and Traditional Healing |
Eva Dawn Burk was interviewed on January 18, 2023 by Jennifer Andrulli via Zoom. Eva was in Nenana, Alaska and Jennifer was in La Tigra, Costa Rica. In this interview, Eva talks about her work on food security and food sovereignty in Nenana, including the promotion of Indigenous agriculture, gardening, and the use of traditional plants for food and medicine. She talks about working with Elders and a multi-generational team and the importance of re-building a relationship with the land, plants, and animals. She also discusses the State of Alaska's Nenana-Totchaket Agriculture Project and its impact to traditional lands, lifestyle, and resources. |
Ruth Sensenig |