Ice-Out
The
Whale Hunt in Spring
Contributed
by Sheila Gaquin of Point Hope, Alaska
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| An umiaq amidst the floe ice, and a lookout standing on the shore. |
We still have plenty of ice on the Chukchi sea, but leads have opened between the landfast ice and the pack ice. This is exciting news for Point Hope, because it means whaling can begin. Whaling crews moved out on the ice Tuesday (Apr.14th), and set up camps near the edge of the ice. The umiaqs (boats) are poised, waiting for someone to spot a whale. When a whale is seen, the crews will slide their boats silently into the water, and paddle after it.
Eskimo hunters believe animals give themselves to worthy hunters. Last night a beluga whale gave itself to a boy in our class named Mokie. This is an important event in the life of an Eskimo boy, because although he is only 12, Mokie has become a provider. After the hunt, Mokie helped cut the whale into shares, and deliver meat and muktuk to the elders. He did not get to bed until after 1:00 A.M., but he still made it to school this morning!
Like many of our kids at this time of year, Mokie is attending TWO schools: The school of traditional culture, and the school of book learning. This week Mokie has all A's in both his schools!
Tikigaq
School (say, "TICK-key-yock")
Point Hope, AK
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