Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Chena Athabascan Indian Village

Good Morning Friends, Part of the Riverboat tour took us to a replica of a Chena Athabascan Indian Village. We were taught so much about the lifestyle of this tribe; the college age girls who gave the tour also modeled traditional fur dressed and coats.  I love that all those we heard talk about their heritage could tell us how many generations had lived this way.  It was a hard life but one rich in tradition.  The village consisted of cabins, trappers cabins, a salmon smokehouse, the chief's cabin, iron dog display, trading post, reindeer pen, food cache, animal fur display area. There were reindeer there as well-which are domesticated Caribou and they were beautiful. Here is a fish wheel that people still use today to catch Salmon.
 
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Many people still dry Salmon this way today; some mainly use this technique for the chum salmon(fed to their dogs)but there are those who still use traditional methods. Of course, they keep the drying racks away from their homes due to the threat that bears might come in after it.
 
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A food cache for the dried salmon and other meats.
 
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Sleeping tents; furs lined the bed and were used for warmth.
 
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A statue of Susan Butcher's dog Granite.
 
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I wanted to record all that we heard for fear that I might not remember it all to tell the grands. Today, most of the Athabascan's live in log homes; we were also told that there Eskimos that lived in Igloos but many native cultures didn't. I hope you've enjoyed this little bit of Athabascan history.
Blessings on your day~
Noreen & Hunter

9 comments:

  1. Wow - interesting! Thanks for sharing this with us.

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  2. I love hearing about how other people live. I know from our Alaska friend that there are pockets of people here and there in the state living off the land in old ways. YIKES....while I know its beautiful up there, I would want my log cabin.

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  3. Very interesting!! Again, thanks for sharing!! Loved your photos - felt like I was there!!

    Blessings

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  4. Soo interesting! I love to see and hear history like this, and hubby would be through the roof! Enjoy your day Noreen!

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  5. How interesting!!! Loving this trip right along with you!!!
    xo Kris

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  6. That is so interesting, Noreen. It's really a great record for the grandkids, too- xo Diana

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  7. So very cool!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. It was a good bit of history, thanks I showed it to my grandson's. You're wise to write about it now so you have it just in case you forget some of it later on. I love to journal!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  9. Boy, I have just been reading your past posts and have caught up to date on your trip. It makes me want to go back to Alaska. Did I tell you that the cabin I stayed in came with a Dog. Areally cool dog that would take me on hikes every day I was there. I can't wait to read more in your future posts.
    Bert and My Vickie

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