Sidney Stephens

Martha Stackhouse was interviewed on December 5, 2003 by Bill Schneider and Sidney Stephens at their home in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interview, Martha talks about environmental changes she has observed around her home community of Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow) and the effect of these changes on their subsistence lifestyle. She discusses changing ice conditions, changes in plants and vegetation, changes in seasonal conditions, and changes in bird and animal populations.

Kenneth (Ken) Frank was interviewed on February 2, 2002 by Bill Schneider and Sidney Stephens in their home in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this interivew, Kenneth talks about his observations of climate and environmental change in his home area of Arctic Village and Venetie, Alaska. He talks about changing weather and temperature, changes in snow depth, changes in wildlife, bird and fish populations, seasonal changes, and melting permafrost. He also talks about the importance of listening to elders, teaching the youth, and monitoring environmental change. At the end of the interview, he provides the Gwich'in names for the months of the year, including descriptions for what they mean.

Richard Carroll II was interviewed on July 12, 2009 by William Schneider and Sidney Stephens at his home in Fort Yukon, Alaska. Richard operates a tourism business in the summer in Fort Yukon and runs a trapline on the upper Porcupine River in the winter. As an active trapper, in this interview, Richard talks about changes in wind, increased forest fires leading to trail destruction, and the effect of warmer temperatures on hunting and trapping.

Simon Francis was interviewed on July 11, 2009 by William Schneider and Sidney Stephens at his home in Fort Yukon, Alaska. At the time of the interview, Simon was the Traditional Chief of Fort Yukon. In this interview, Simon talks about his observations of environmental change in the region during his lifetime of living off of and traveling on the land. He discusses the effect of fire and wind on the land and the animals, the decrease in the moose, bird and fish populations, and suggests the decrease is related to the increase in fire and the lack of food or water for the animals. He also talks about how the weather has changed, that lakes have been drying up, changes in the beaver and muskrat populations, and the effects of these changes on his seasonal round of subsistence activities.

James Roberts was interviewed on November 17, 2009 by William Schneider and Sidney Stephens at Charlie and Ruth Campbell’s house in Tanana, Alaska. In this interview, James talks about his observations of environmental change in the Tanana area. Specifically, he mentions the impact of flooding on the village, and how changes have affected the gathering of driftwood for firewood and what it has done to the fish stocks. He also talks about how the weather affects moose hunting, fishing, and training his dogs.

Tom Hyslop was interviewed on November 18, 2009 by William Schneider and Sidney Stephens at his home in Tanana, Alaska. In this interview, Tom talks about environmental changes he has observed during his time on the land gathering driftwood, hunting, and fishing. Specifically, he mentions the effect that river water level (“June Rise”) has on his ability to collect driftwood for firewood, how the change in weather affects the animals, the impact of fire on the land, and the melting of permafrost.