Katherine "Kathy Uumiñaq" Itta Ahgeak

Charlie Edwardsen, Sr. (Aaluk) was interviewed on March 9, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at this home in Barrow, Alaska (now known as Utqiaġvik) for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. In this first part of a two part interview, Charlie talks about place names along the rivers, reindeer herding, his family background, caribou hunting, and traditional sites occupied in the area. He also talks about people who lived in the area and how the populations fluctuated, including the effects of a flu epidemic in the 1930s. Finally, he shares a story about the original Ikpikpak people and a battle with Indians. (IHLC Tape #00044)

The transcript with Iñupiaq spellings was completed by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Charlie Edwardsen, Sr. (Aaluk) was interviewed on March 10, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at his home in Barrow, Alaska (now known as Utqiaġvik) for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. In this first part of a two part interview, Charlie talks about place names and historic sites along the Chipp and Ikpikpuk Rivers. He also talks about lakes for fishing, caribou hunting, camp locations along the Chipp River, families that used the area, and place names in the Cape Halkett area. His wife, Mary, is also present during the interview and periodically adds comments from the background. (IHLC Tape #00046)

The transcript with Iñupiaq spellings was completed by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Ernest Kignak (Qigñaq) was interviewed on March 10, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at his home in Barrow, Alaska (now known as Utqiaġvik) for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Delores Burnell was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. In this interview, Ernest talks about his experiences hunting, fishing, trapping and reindeer herding in the Chipp-Ikpikpak area. He discusses fish and caribou populations, travel routes, trade practices, historic sites, and place names. He also talks about activities along the Colville and Meade Rivers, and changes in the rivers, land, and animals. (IHLC Tape #00049)

Ernest Kignak spoke in Iñupiaq during the interview. The transcript contains the spoken Iñupiaq written out and its corresponding English translation, both provided by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Greta Akpik (Suvluuraq) was interviewed on March 14, 1982 by Wendy Arundale at her home in Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. In this first part of a two part interview, Greta talks about her family background, growing up living a traditional subsistence lifestyle where they moved from camp to camp according to the seasons, and coming into Barrow for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also talks about going to school in Barrow, working at the hospital, her early years of marriage to Walter Akpik, and spending time with the reindeer herders. (IHLC Tape #00036)

The transcript with Iñupiaq spellings was completed by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Walter (Utik) and Greta (Suvluuraq) Akpik were interviewed on March 12, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at their home in Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. In this interview, Walter and Greta talk about traditionally used locations along the Meade River and inland from Atqasuk. They provide the Iñupiaq names of these places, how they were used, and the meaning of the place names. They also talk about caribou hunting, fishing, trapping, and traveling in the area. (IHLC Tape #00038)

The transcript with Iñupiaq spellings was completed by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Faye Nusunginya (Kimmialuk) was interviewed on March 12, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at her home in Barrow, Alaska (now known as Utqiaġvik) for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Faye's daughter and son-in-law, Mary (Amayun) and Charlie Edwardsen, Sr. (Aaluk) participated in the interview as Iñupiaq language translators and also added their own comments. In this first part of a two part interview, Faye talks about life on the Meade, Chipp and Ikpikpuk Rivers when she was a young girl and places in the area she has traveled to. She discusses how people moved around to hunt, fish and trap in different locations depending on the season, and how they traveled by boat, walking or using a dog team. She also talks about groups of people coming together for feasts and celebrations, the effect of epidemics, and how people used to preserve, store, and prepare food. (IHLC Tape #00054)

Faye Nusunginya spoke in Iñupiaq during the interview. The transcript contains the spoken Iñupiaq written out and its corresponding English translation, both provided by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Nina Nayukok (Aŋŋiaġruk) was interviewed on March 13, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at her home in Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Elizabeth Hollingsworth was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. In this first part of a two part interview, Nina talks about growing up living a subsistence lifestyle based on seasonal movements to different locations for hunting, trapping and fishing. She discusses traveling, going to trade fairs, going inland to hunt caribou, trapping, and living with the reindeer herders. Nina also talks about place names, going to school in Barrow, and how things changed when people started getting jobs. (IHLC Tape #00050)

Nina Nayukok spoke in Iñupiaq during the interview. The transcript contains the spoken Iñupiaq written out and its corresponding English translation, both provided by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak). There is only a transcript for Sections 1-8 of the interview. Sections 9-13 have keywords outlining what is discussed.

Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on March 14, 1982 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at this home in Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Kathy Itta was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. In this interview, Walter talks about his childhood memories of hunting, fishing and trapping and traveling to different camps depending on the season. He also talks about first living in Atqasuk, being a reindeer herder, purchasing supplies, and suffering hardship. Finally, he identifies and discusses historically used places on the Meade River. (IHLC Tape #00039)

Walter Akpik spoke in Iñupiaq during the interview. The transcript contains the spoken Iñupiaq written out and its corresponding English translation in italics, both provided by Kathy Itta (now Ahgeak).

Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 19, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Isiquarraaġvik on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and Kathy was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by snowmachine to Isiquarraaġvik so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history and uses of Isiquarraaġvik and his own experiences traveling in and using the area. He also talks about reindeer herding, caribou movements, fishing, and knowledge of the land, lakes and rivers. (IHLC Tape #00077)

Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 19, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Siŋiḷḷak on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and Kathy was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by snowmachine to Siŋiḷḷak so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history and features of Siŋiḷḷak, and traveling, trapping, and hunting carried out in the area. He specifically discusses traditional caribou hunting techniques, meat preparation, food storage, and sharing. (IHLC Tape #00079)

Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 20 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Qikiqtaqturuq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and Kathy was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by snowmachine to Qikiqtaqturuq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Qikiqtaqturuq, people who lived in the area, and what activities took place there. He discusses traveling, camping, fishing, and trapping, and use of the Tasiqpaktuuq area in the winter of 1946. (IHLC Tape #00081)

Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 22, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Qikiqtaqturuq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and Kathy was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by snowmachine to Qikiqtaqturuq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about some of his family members, including his grandparents and their travels. He also talks about people being guided up the rivers and visitors to his grandparents' camp. (IHLC Tape #00083)

Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 15, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at an unidentified location on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and Kathy was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to sites along the Meade River so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about traveling on the river by boat with a sail, with dogs towing the boat, and by paddling. He also talks about fishing under the ice in the winter, his father and reindeer herding, and his father's falltime activities at Igalaaq. (IHLC Tape #00085)