Arctic Village: News Team from New York

Scott Sternbach ( Director of Photography) led a three person news crew to Create a documentary on Arctic Village. Also they hope to take protraits of all the Gwich'in in the village for an exhibit in the Museum of Natural History in New York. They will also be submitted to the National Museum of Natural History. Their plan was to include us before they traveled to Alaska. In fact they knew all about us, our blog plus other writings that we knew nothing about.Spending time with Dora, Scott, and Que was wonderful as we were interviewed, went through photo shoots, shot hoops, and plenty of fellowship.

Research-Learning Center

The day after arriving in Fairbanks I payed a visit to Carol Lewis' office. Carol is the Dean of Research and Ag. at the Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks. As I waited I read an article from the Fairbanks News Miner posted in the hall outside Carol's office. It spoke of phase one of a large grant the Ag. Dept. had received which brought a complete new building to the campus.Phase two would begin after the first of the year. Phase two involved research-learning centers to be built in remote regions of the state. Because of the relationship between Penny,I, and Carol the Ag. Dept. has a five year head start if Arctic Village should be chosen. We knew when we met Carol that we would keep her updated, just in case a situation like this arose. Making connections and seizing opportunities to help people is how Penny and I are used as tools.

Thanks to Mary and Todd Groat

We really don't know where the project would be without the help of Mary and Todd. In fact there might not have ever been a second year of gardens had we not been invited to camp in their yard. Albert (rest in peace) wanted me to pack and leave and later said he is glad that we stayed. Even then it was later that day Todd came to me and asked if I wanted to put the greenhouse in their yard. I was camped at the runway until June 8th when Penny arrived. I moved camp to Todd and Mary's at 5AM so not to be seen by anyone.
For four years Mary has allowed us to camp and have the large scale garden at her home. We have been so welcome and have stayed in her house from time to time. We were told to stay in their home as soon as we arrive, but no, more important to be as far out of our comfort zone as possible. What a lovely home they have.

Onions from Rural King

Most of the seed used we buy in Fairbanks because it's made for colder climates. One of the few from home is onion bulbs from Rural King in Decatur, Indiana. For five years we have shipped thousands of their bulbs to Arctic Village that have been enjoyed not only in salads, but cooked with caribou, moose, fish, duck, and sometimes even bear. By bringing these bulbs it's like having a small piece of home with us. It may not seem like much but when your so far from home, living in a tent, we take comfort in eating onions from home. This years onions grew so big and tastey, and the Gwich'in so enjoy having onions. It's great having fresh grown food from home when were two hundred ninety miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska.