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Walter "Utik" Akpik, Sr.
Walter (Utik) and Greta (Suvluuraq) Akpik lived in Atqasuk, Alaska and both had a lifetime of associations with the inland river systems. Walter was born in 1915, and grew up traveling on the inland rivers. As a young boy, he recalls traveling east to Savviuġvik (Saviukvianak River), and it was there that his grandparents taught him how to travel inland. But when they returned westward and went to Atqasupiaq (old Atqasuk), he was older and "really knew what was going on." Although Walter's father's parents were from the Kobuk/Selawik area, Walter's paternal grandparents were very familiar with the Meade River area. In one tape, Walter describes their travel over the old route from the Meade River to the Awuna River. According to Walter, his grandfather said that his first house on the Meade River was in the Payugvik-Pulayaaq area on the lower river. He hunted as far up the river as Sanniŋaruq and at one time lived in a sod house he made at Atqasupiaq. Walter's grandparents had their last sod house at Tikiġluk.
After Walter and Greta got married, they did some traveling together. Walter was a reindeer herder before they were married, and he continued to herd until a few months after their son, Frankie, was born in 1934. The herders often needed their skin boots repaired, and Greta recalls learning how to patch Eskimo boots for the "first time." After Walter stopped herding, they went inland, as Greta described: "...(We) start to go hunting ourselves. In the fall time; we start to go to Qikiqtaqturuq by boat. That was Isuqtuq. We stay up there all winter and springtime. After trapping season closed, we'd go back to Barrow." Another place they stayed was at Uqpiksuum Kaŋia, on the Uqpiksuu (Okpiksak River).
Walter and Greta lived in Barrow for several years after 1946 when Walter began working for wages, but they moved back to the Meade River, to the new village of Atqasuk, in 1977 or 1978. They maintained a hunting camp (tent) on the Isuqtuq at the site of Itqiliq. Eventually, as they aged, Walter and Greta moved back to Barrow.
(Biographical section from Quliaqtuat Iñupiat Nunaŋiññiñ - The Report of the Chipp-Ikpikpuk River and Upper Meade River Oral History Project. W. Arundale and W. Schneider, 1987.)
Interview Title | Abstract | Archive #: Oral History | Project | Date of Interview |
---|---|---|---|---|
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 1 |
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). |
87-101-04 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Mar 14, 1982 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 10 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 23, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Itqilliq 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 Itqilliq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Itqilliq, Kaŋiġaksraq, Isuqtuq and Aki. He talks about the people who have used the areas, and the types of activities that occurred there, including hunting, fishing and trapping. (IHLC Tape #00084) |
87-103-08 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 23, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 11 |
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) |
87-103-11 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 15, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 12 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 16, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Qagluuraq 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 Qagluuraq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Qagluuraq and the people who have used the area. Specifically, he discusses fishing, camping, and caribou hunting. (IHLC Tape #00086) |
87-103-10 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 16, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 13 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 20, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at the site of Piqsaġniq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and his son, Joe Akpik, was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to Piqsaġniq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Piqsaġniq, hunting wolves there, and the value of wolf pelts. (IHLC Tape #00087) |
87-103-12 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 20, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 14 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 20, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at the site of Itqiuraq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and his son, Joe Akpik, was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to Itqiuraq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about boating and trapping in the Piqsaġniq area, and people who have used the area. (IHLC Tape #00088) |
87-103-13 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 20, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 15 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 21, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at the site of Saaŋiaq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and his son, Joe Akpik, was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to Saaŋiaq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the types of activities that have taken place in the area, including fishing, caribou hunting, and fox trapping. He also talks about traveling, knowledge of place names, and some of the people who used area. (IHLC Tape #00089) |
87-103-14 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 21, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 16 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 22, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at the site of Piqsaġniq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and his son, Joe Akpik, was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to Piqsaġniq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Piqsaġniq and people who have used the area. He also talks about traveling, trapping, and fishing and hunting in the area, and caribou and wolf migration patterns. (IHLC Tape #00090) |
87-103-15 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 22, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 17 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 23, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at the site of Piqsaġniq on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and his son, Joe Akpik, was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to Piqsaġniq so that Walter could be at the places while discussing their history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about traveling to Piqsaġniq, the meaning of the place's name, and spending time there with Leo Kaleak. He also describes the site of Aġviġuraq, and talks about traveling with his grandparents, and hunting and trapping in the area of Piqsaġniq. (IHLC Tape #00091) |
87-103-16 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 23, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 18 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 25, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at the site of Imñauġaugruk on the Meade River near Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Walter mostly spoke in Iñupiaq and his son, Joe Akpik, was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. The group traveled by boat to Imñauġaugruk so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Imñauġaugruk, people who have used the area, and traveling, trapping, fishing and hunting in the area. (IHLC Tape #00092) |
87-103-17 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 25, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 19, Part 1 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on June 30, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at his home in Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Joe Akpik was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. In this first part of a two part interview, Walter talks about the boat trip the group just completed where they visited historic sites on the Meade River, talks more about the sites, and sings a traditional song about the Meade River. He also talks about moving a house to Tikiġluk, trapping, fishing, and caribou hunting. (IHLC Tape #00093) |
87-103-18 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 30, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 19, Part 2 |
This is the continuation of an interview with Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) on June 30, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at his home in Atqasuk, Alaska for the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project. Joe Akpik was the Iñupiaq language translator during the interview. In this second part of a two part interview, Walter talks about hunting and fishing in the Atqasuk area. He also talks about the site of Aki, the people who lived there, and the activities that took place there. (IHLC Tape #00094) |
87-103-19 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jun 30, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 2 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 18, 1983 by Bill Schneider, Wendy Arundale and Kathy Itta Demientieff (now Ahgeak) at the site of Itqiuraq 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 Itqiuraq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Itqiuraq, people who have used the area, and his own early experiences living there. He also talks about traveling, trapping, and hunting along the river, and the importance of traditional knowledge and education. (IHLC Tape #00076) |
87-103-01 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 18, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 3 |
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) |
87-103-04 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 19, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 4 |
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 Saŋmaliq 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 Saŋmaliq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Saŋmaliq, tells a traditional story he knows about Saŋmaliq, and sings a song about Itqiuraq. (IHLC Tape #00078) |
87-103-03 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 19, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 5 |
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) |
87-103-02 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 19, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 6 |
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 Anauliġiaq 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 Anauliġiaq so that Walter could be at the place while discussing its history and uses. In this interview, Walter talks about the history of Anauliġiaq, the houses and people who lived there, and how people have used the area for hunting, fishing and trapping. (IHLC Tape #00080) |
87-103-06 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 20, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 7 |
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) |
87-103-05 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 20, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 8 |
Walter Akpik, Sr. (Utik) was interviewed on May 21, 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 his trapping experience in the area. He also talks about how people utilized the Isuqtuq River area, and tells a traditional story and sings the squirrel song that he learned from his grandmother. (IHLC Tape #00082) |
87-103-07 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 21, 1983 |
Walter Akpik, Sr., Interview 9 |
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) |
87-103-09 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | May 22, 1983 |
Walter and Greta Akpik, Interview 1 |
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). |
87-101-03 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Mar 12, 1982 |
Walter and Greta Akpik, Interview 2, Part 1 |
Walter (Utik) and Greta (Suvluuraq) Akpik were interviewed on January 22, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at their home in Atqasuk, Alaska to review what they said in a previous interview on March 12, 1982 and how it was written up in the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project final report. In this first part of a two part interview, Walter and Greta review their biographical section in the report, and talk about their family backgrounds and growing up in a traditional subsistence lifestyle of hunting and fishing. Walter also talks about learning to hunt from his grandparents and his experience reindeer herding. (IHLC Tape #00064) |
87-102-01 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jan 22, 1983 |
Walter and Greta Akpik, Interview 2, Part 2 |
This is the continuation of an interview with Walter (Utik) and Greta (Suvluuraq) Akpik on January 22, 1983 by Bill Schneider and Wendy Arundale at their home in Atqasuk, Alaska to review what they said in a previous interview on March 12, 1982 and how it was written up in the Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project final report. In this second part of a two part interview, Walter and Greta talk about hunting and fishing in the Meade River area, learning from grandparents, and the seasonal movements of fish and caribou. They also talk about trapping and trading with Captain C.T. Pederson, Walter's work history, and the flu epidemic in the 1940s. (IHLC Tape #00065) |
87-102-02 | Chipp-Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers Oral History Project | Jan 22, 1983 |