by K.J. Lincoln
The 2023 Jacob Wise Memorial Spirit Camp brought together youth and elders and Culture bearers for a weeklong program full of learning traditional knowledge, fishing and subsistence gathering, Yup’ik song and dance, and working on projects that connect youth to the Kuskokwim way of life. The event took place August 4-11, 2023. Since 2016, this camp has been serving the youth of the middle Kuskokwim.
The Native Village of Napaimute and Executive Director Audrey Leary and The Kuskokwim Corporation coordinated the camp activities and logistics. Twenty student participants, ages 10 to 17, were from Aniak, Chuathbaluk, Kalskag, Stony River, and also Anchorage.
The culture camp was located a few miles above the village of Napaimute at a remote site along the river. Campers stayed in canvas walltents on platforms with wood stoves. The youth kept the fires lit and the tents well supplied with firewood. Everyone was busy including the camp pets who enjoyed the pats and lively atmosphere.
Everyone enjoyed the excellent gourmet hot meals prepared by camp chefs Shelly Leary of Napaimute and Tamara Sakar of Aniak. Everyone enjoyed the hearty breakfasts, stews and gravies, sandwiches, soups, desserts, fried bread with maple frosting (so good!) and the final potluck banquet. They received a round of applause for their hard work on the last day of camp.
Students learned from culture bearers – sewing fur mitts and Eskimo dance headdresses, learning Eskimo dancing and singing, traditional beading, fish cutting and jarring, sewing and learning about grass, and making birch bark baskets.
Elder instructor Annie Morgan of Aniak and Megan Leary of Napaimute taught their students how to make beautiful birch bark baskets from start to finish using handmade awls and naturally gathered materials. The traditional basket containers could be used to pick berries.
Students also learned how to make fish cutting tables and how to mend nets. Fresh berries were picked during outings and made into delicious fish akutaq, which everyone enjoyed. Swimming, games, Elder stories and lessons, basketball, camp chores, socializing around the campfire, and Eskimo dancing rounded out the activities which kept the students engaged and busy.
On Day 4, a trip was made up the Alukaq River to visit the Stone Woman and to pick berries along with a picnic lunch. Members of the AVCP Healthy Families team were also there for a few days to lead the kids in health and wellness group activities including making cottonwood salve.
Elder guest instructors John and Seraphine Borowski of Napaimute taught the students about survival and how to cut fish. A favorite activity was Eskimo dancing. Drummers Cody Pequeno of Chevak and Martin Paul of Kalskag/Kipnuk inspired the kids with songs and the students danced daily, often requesting the ‘Reindeer Song’.
“My favorite part of Spirit Camp was on the last day, the kids told me to dance and they were singing and drumming by themselves,” said Paul who has been drumming and singing since he was in the 7th grade. “It made me so proud that they had learned and weren’t shy of doing it. I could tell they were happy and having fun which made me happy that they were doing it out of enjoyment.”
On August 11 everyone was packed up and ready to head home along with the memories and friendships made. The Spirit Camp group gave an impromptu dance performance at the Aniak airport as a closing farewell.
The culture camp was sponsored by the Native Village of Napaimute and The Kuskokwim Corporation, partners Donlin Gold, Ryan Air, First Alaskans Institute, AVCP, and AC Co.
