Kaktovik Arctic Adventures
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA
The City of Kaktovik is located on Barter Island, along the Arctic Ocean, and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Barter Island is 88% Inupiat Eskimo. 98 residents voted in the November 2004 general election. In 2005, 58 voting age residents of Kaktovik signed a petition against leasing the surrounding area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for industrial oil and gas development.
The Inupiat people of Barter Island depend culturally and economically on subsistence hunting from the Arctic Refuge and bowhead whaling from the Arctic Ocean. They also produce arts, crafts and clothing from native baleen, ivory, wood, caribou, wolf, seal, wolverine and other furs.
Inupiat Language & Values Are Taught In The Kaktovik School:
As Iñupiaq people we believe in knowing who we are and how we are related to one another. Our families bind us together.
Reverence for the land, sea and animals is the foundation of our hunting traditions.
Our Creator gave us the gift of our surroundings. Those before us placed ultimate importance on respecting this magnificent gift for their future generations.
Our Elders model our traditions and ways of being. They are a light of hope to younger generations. May we treat each other as our Elders have taught us.
We know the power of prayer. We are a spiritual people.
Indeed, laughter is the best medicine!
Though the environment is harsh and cold, our ancestors learned to live with warmth, kindness, caring and compassion.
Our hearts command we act on goodness. Expect no reward in return. This is part of our cultural fiber.
It is amazing how sharing works. Your acts of giving always come back.
Together we have an awesome power to accomplish anything.
The Iñupiaq way is to think positive, act positive, speak positive and live positive.
