“The healers drained our old blood in the arms or back of the knee. They tattooed ancient symbols on our bodies, especially children. Tattoos protect our spirits.” IndigenousArcticAncestorsTattoosIndigenous PeoplesInupiaqTraditional Healing Book:Sivulliq: Ancestor Source: Sivulliq: Ancestor
“In ancient times, when the world was cold, prosperous, and flourishing, it was a birthing place for our people. Newly married couples traveled to the cove, spending their first days as husband and wife. It is where love began.” LoveLove QuotesHistorical FictionAlaskaArcticAncestorsIndigenous PeoplesInupiaqBirthing Place Book:Sivulliq: Ancestor Source: Sivulliq: Ancestor
“Instead, I think of my husband hunting in the foothills surrounded by fog, walking on tawny rocks and smoky green lichen, like we did in our early days of marriage when we wandered in the country on our dog sled, unrushed, unhurried, filled, and content.” IndigenousArcticAncestorsIndigenous PeoplesInupiaq Book:Sivulliq: Ancestor Source: Sivulliq: Ancestor
“In ancient times, at this shallow cove, the Koyukon attacked our people. The women fought alongside the men, running half-naked from their homes to show their courage. The Elders took the children into their umiaqs, fleeing to the sea. The Elders shielded the children’s eyes but could not shield their ears, and land went silent. The Elders and children buried the Inupiaq and Koyukon people side-by-side on the stilts of the whalebone, then they journeyed north to begin again.” Historical FictionIndigenousAlaskaArcticAncestorsIndigenous PeoplesInupiaqWhaleboneBowheadKoyukon Book:Sivulliq: Ancestor Source: Sivulliq: Ancestor