“My children tell stories of the ancient world, the old world. They search for Little People on the tundra, little beings not taller than a human hand. They tell stories of strong men who stayed underwater for days. The strong men cupped their hands against the ocean floor, breathing with pockets of air made by their cupped hands. My children try to forget death by telling these old stories. They’ve carried dead bodies to the graveyard with their own youthful hands.” DeathHealingIndigenousArcticIndigenous PeoplesInupiaqLittle Peoples Book:Sivulliq: Ancestor Source: Sivulliq: Ancestor
“On an idyllic summer day, we walked through the meadows and hillsides, sitting in circles, laughing and filling sacks of cottongrass, salmonberries, crowberries, cranberries, mountain alder, northern golden rod, and rose hip roots. We collected cloudberry tea and Labrador tea, and wild celery. The Elders walked together, laughing, talking of the old days when they would travel to the Messenger Feasts, across the channel to Siberia, or south to trade in Qikiqtaġruk. We’d mix a dessert of fresh berries and lard, whipping and whipping the lard until fluffy.” Historical FictionArcticIndigenous PeoplesHealersInupiaqHealing PlantsMessenger FeastsQikiqtagrukTraditional MedicineTraditional Plants Book:Sivulliq: Ancestor Source: Sivulliq: Ancestor
“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