I’m sorry

1-29-10

by Peter Twitchell

If you’ve held on to guilt and shame for a long time and have been hesitant to admit it, and held back from saying, “I’m sorry,” to someone you hurt so badly, by action (deed) and words, rest assured that you are not alone. Maybe, there is someone out there who is, and has been longing to hear those two words, from your mouth. Perhaps, you might be afraid that by apologizing that you’re going to open old wounds, or, maybe you have the real fear of being rejected – you are not alone.
Once the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Behavioral Health Department had a therapeutic group who invited people they had resentments towards and for a number of reasons including abandonment, betrayal and issues of abuse towards them, and other family members, by their family member. The program paid for the travel to Bethel of family members involved in the healing group. Family members, including grandparents, parents, children, husbands and wives were brought together and confronted on hurtful issues. Sometimes the individual confronting them began yelling. After all was said, that needed to be said, everyone was crying, even those not directly involved in the exercise were crying. There were tears in every eye in the entire room.
Almost immediately, healing began in the lives of people who were there. A son and a father who hadn’t spoken to each other in over thirty years hugged each other with tears of forgiveness and joy. Even grandchildren had become resentful towards some of these people. Every member of the families involved had been affected.
People who have a strong faith and belief in God, believe that people need to forgive each other, just as “God forgives them.” Either way, I believe, as human beings we are all bound by forgiveness and love.
It may be too late in some instances to apologize to individuals we hurt, face to face, and in person. I also believe, that there are individuals who may be longing to hear an apology from a loved one who isn’t there anymore, by separation, even death. Is it possible we can still apologize to someone who has passed on to the “other side?” I believe so, my grandma Hannah used to tell me, “our Ancestors are watching us, and know all that we do.”
I’ve apologized to my grandma Hannah once since she’s passed away, for disappointing her, and hurting her by what I said. At the time, I thought I knew it all. I believe she’s forgiven me.
I spoke to one person who was at the behavioral heath healing circle, and was told that it felt good to get an apology from their loved one, and old wounds were healed over for good.

Homelessness

1-21-09

by Peter Twitchell

Most of the homeless Alaskan Natives in Anchorage are from remote villages, and would go home if they knew they were missed and are welcome back home. A homeless person can’t come up with enough money to buy a ticket home, even if they wanted. The home villages also need to be notified of the homeless individual’s intended return home. The village needs to be ready with a supportive network of family and friends to welcome the homeless individual back home.
I heard another “homeless” human being was found dead, at a homeless campsite in Anchorage. Of course, the people of Anchorage see this as a different kind of problem. They don’t want to see panhandling on their street corners. They know the money they give isn’t going to buy food – only alcohol. They want to see regulations that make it a serious offense to give people money on street corners or elsewhere. They spend that money on alcohol, pass out, and freeze to death.
The majority of Alaska Natives that end up in Anchorage know that they can’t beg for money in their villages, but it isn’t a problem for them doing it in Anchorage.
The people that hand money to panhandlers may go home thinking that they have done a good deed. They do not realize what they may be contributing to. Even if they kindly give them a sandwich that may just make them able to save enough money for a drink. The shelters will not take them in if they are drinking, nor will they let them stay if they bring drinks in. For that reason they will stay in their camps so they can drink in peace. It is a sad situation.
I’m wondering too, when this dilemma is going to end? I think, homeless people dying, has gotten enough attention. The twelve (12) profit Native Regional Corporations have an obligation to step in and help their tribal members get on their feet. The thought of doing something isn’t enough anymore. Help get their tribal members back on their feet, give them at least three months to become job marketable, or send them back home where they can be safe with relatives, and people who really care about them. If the corporations are not willing to help them, the home village can spring the money for the homeless individual’s ticket home. Possibly the financial costs of sending the homeless person home could be paid off in community service that reconnects them back to the community so that they know they are needed and appreciated.
We can’t leave it to Anchorage to take care of the growing problem. As you know Anchorage has problems of its own to deal with. There’s got to be a solution to help the homeless, than us, who are stronger, standing around, watching them die. Where is the compassion of our warriors? Build a temporary shelter, to help the homeless get back on their feet. Being homeless isn’t an excuse to live a down and out life either, we’re better than that.
We’re a proud and spiritual people. I’d like to thank my cousin Wilben Dahl, of Quyana Bed & Breakfast in Anchorage for his perspective of the homeless.

You’re a weather station

1-6-09

by Peter Twitchell

Did you realize, as we get older, we’re going to get into general weather forecasting? Nothing scientific or sophisticated, but something we can do to amuse ourselves and our friends.
I didn’t realize aging had so many thrills attached to it – for one, you automatically become this person who foretells changes in weather. Another obvious one, you don’t have to pull five full days of work, anymore. Every month you go to the post office to pick up a check. You get to spend more time with your grandkids, whether you like it or not.
I find this one a bit amusing, you can sense when the weather is about to change. I keep hearing this phenomenon from my co-worker who says, “My knees are hurting so bad, the weather is going to change.”
Bingo, an amazing thing happens - the weather changes. The weather changes from cold to warm, or from warm to cold. If someone says, “Oh, my bones hurt today, the weather is going to change.” Don’t argue with them if you’re a non-believer. Be forewarned if someone comes up to you and says, “You wanna bet the weather is going to change?” I wouldn’t do it – I’d lose.
I never really thought about this in terms of getting old. I can hardly wait! I am waiting with anticipation. I’ll pay attention to every little ache and pain. I will keep track of it, and measure it, after all, I’m going to have plenty of time on my hands. You never have to think about pain, as suffering again. You won’t have to reach for the medicine cabinet or the bottle of aspirin either. However, if the pain persists, and the weather doesn’t change, I’d go see the doctor. The pain in your joints is only an indicator that the weather is going to turn around. Your pain will be gone tomorrow and the weather will be better too, or worse.
Instead of greeting my friends with the usual, “Hello, how are you?” I’ll ask them, “Are your joints aching today?” If they say otherwise, then I’ll know.
Science indicates “change in barometric pressure is the main link in joint pain and weather.” When high pressure is building, the pain subsides. I thought it was old wife tales when my grandma Hannah used to say, “The temperature is going to drop, I’m having so much joint pain.” She always knew if she went for a walk she would feel better, and the pain wouldn’t be so pronounced.
She walked here and there when she was a hundred years old, visiting with her friends and going to church bazaars through blizzards, sleet and snow, selling her pretty, embroidered pillowcases. But, that’s all they did back then. The old folks never depended on cabs, four-wheelers or snow machines to transport them anywhere – they walked. I guess, that’s why they lived long and healthy lives. Another thing that you may want to ponder and marvel at.

How long will it take us?

12-9-09

by Peter Twitchell

Some of our people believe that we shouldn’t treat the Eskimos like “children, let them learn to drink responsibly.” The comment I heard was “unlock the kitchen cabinet, let them have their booze.”
To begin with how many people in the eastern and western worlds, tell their partners, “Honey, can you pick up some booze on your way home.” No, they address alcoholic beverages respectfully. They might say, “Can you pick up a bottle of Chardonnay, extra dry on your way home?” “Stop treating our people like kids, they have to learn to control their alcohol consumption.”
Look at the Europeans who have been drinking alcohol for thousands of years. They make alcohol available to their children. They drink alcohol all the time at the dinner table. And, their children are welcome to have alcohol with their dinner. The kids grow up without stigma about alcohol consumption, and majority of them don’t abuse it, or they can opt not to drink it.
Here in Yup’ik country it’s a little different story. Some of us take alcohol and drink it like we’re never going to have another opportunity to drink again. Some Europeans like the Italians drink and they start to boast. The French like to sing when they’re drinking, Germans like to dance, and Russians become affectionate. Europeans can drink and rarely get into murderous quarrels.
So, I want to ask the obvious question. How long will it take us, in Yup’ik country to drink socially and how many of our people have to sacrifice their lives before we can become responsible drinkers?
We have to admit we’re not responsible drinkers yet. The fur traders in the 1850’s took advantage of our hunters and trappers, by trading a bottle or two of spirits for a whole winter’s catch of furs. When we got our Limited Entry permits to sell salmon commercially, we traded our permits for a case of whiskey. Recently, someone traded last year’s model snow machine for four bottles of whiskey. We can get into other devilish transactions, but I think you get the picture.
The manner in which our society is heading in this century, it pretty much boils down to choices. All of us get up in the morning and put our feet on the floor and start moving. People still put socks on one at a time and put their pants on one leg at a time. It’s all about choices we make. One drink is okay, the second one is tolerable. Forget the third drink, we’re pretty much out of it by then. Some choose to drink for days, and sometimes they don’t have a choice, they’re on automatic pilot, they drink until they pass out.
Henry Shavings and Family used to have a recording called, “Whiskey is the Devil.” Most of us black out and the Devil in us is unleashed, and we start to raise hell. I guess that’s why we have jails. It’s where they put us when we’re uncontrollably drunk to protect themselves and to keep us safe from harm. How many more years do we have before we start drinking like responsible human beings?

2009: The Year
Yup’iks Fought and Won

12-3-09

by Peter Twitchell

All those Yup’iks on the Yukon deserve a medal. Let’s never forget how the state and the feds messed up in summer of 2009, and how the people battled and won.
Those of us in Bush Alaska know nothing is more important than subsistence – the right to feed ourselves and our family. And, we know that the State doesn’t like that word, and really only cares about big commercial fishing companies, like the Pollock trawlers, who throw the salmon away. But this past summer the government tried to shut down king salmon subsistence fishing on the Yukon. I’m proud of the protests and the victories.
It began with the ticketing of little old Alakanuk Elder John Chikigak, who has been fishing for kings before Alaska was a state. He said he was just trying to feed his sick wife. He told the government they were wrong to shut down fishing. He said there was no shortage of salmon. He said he could care less what the sonar or biologists were saying - there was plenty of fish for all. In turn, he got ticketed and all his hard work of catching a few salmon got taken from him.
Then, the Marshall Tribe, Ohogamiut Traditional Council, also protested. They screamed to anyone who would listen that it was wrong to shut down subsistence king fishing. The Tribe even authorized a protest fishery, and authorized the only police officer in the village, Jason Isaac, to catch a few fish. They, too, knew the government was wrong, and there was plenty of fish. Officer Isaac also got a ticket.
Then there was a few others, such as the Landlord brothers from Mountain Village, who refused to give up their inherent rights, and also got cited. They said stopping men from king salmon fishing is “silly - just like stopping women from picking berries.”
Then entered Bush lawyer, Jim Valcarce into the chaotic catastrophe. My heart jumped when I heard that a local lawyer agreed to fight for anyone ticketed, for FREE! Bethel lawyer Valcarce stepped in and took on the government. He yelled at officers who arrived in Marshall; and he told them they had no right to talk to anyone. He helped give voice to Elder Chikigak’s story, and Valcarce arranged for guests to speak about the tragedy on a national talk show. I know he worked behindthe scenes to help. One by one the tickets got dismissed; something Valcarce claims was not his doing. Just this week Valcarce told me the State has finally alsoagreed to dismiss the Landlord’s citations - something he again says others should get the credit for doing. He says it was the kind and good work of the State Trooper Dan Dahl and the St. Mary’s Magistrate.
Mr. Valcarce is married to a Yup’ik and I know how important subsistence salmon is to his wife, Tauni Rodgers. I know what he did and why he did it - and I’m proud he’s a part of our community.
The end of the story is that the government found out the Elders were right all along. There were lots of salmon, the biologists and sonar studies were wrong, and Canada ended up with all our winter meals.
But, let’s never forget 2009. The year when Yup’ik people and Valcarce stood up for something they believed in and the year we all won due to their efforts. This is for you.

Never going to prison

11-21-09

by Peter Twitchell

I told one of my friends today, “I’m glad you’ve never gone to prison.” He said, “Never, I never want to go to jail.” Hearing that from him made me feel good, giving me reassurance that people still have the will to be free, if they want to be.
The word never, could mean, “I’ve never been to jail and I don’t have any intentions of going there,” or “By no means do I ever want to go to jail, it’s not a place for me.” These are strong words, coming from a strong person.
It takes courage to make such a bold statement such as this. It takes guts to stand up, to another person, whose pressuring you to drink, and say: “No… never, will I do anything to jeopardize my freedom.” “If drinking is going to take me there, then drinking isn’t worth being locked up, and making my family unhappy, and me miserable.” It takes commitment to resist temptations like this, day after day.
When you go to jail where are all the people that fed you liquor? They never encourage you to think about the consequences of drinking irresponsibly. They never visit you once you end up in jail. They’re willing to give you a free hand in helping you get drunk, but they don’t give a hand when it comes to feeding your hungry family.
Remember, once you get arrested, your buddies don’t go to jail with you, instead, your whole family does. When you’re sitting in jail and hurting, do you think you’re the only person hurting? You’ve hurt your entire family; which includes all your kids and your wife. They suffer right along with you.
They’re not at fault when you run into overflow and die of hypothermia, or fall out of your boat and drown. You’re so-called drinking friends don’t care. They might think that you’re stupid for getting caught, because, they have one less person to supply them with alcohol.
You’re on your own when it comes to drinking. Whether or not you go to jail is up to you. The bar owner doesn’t care if you drink their booze, and end up in jail. The liquor stores, and people who sell you the booze could care even less. They’re in the retail business, to sell as much alcohol, and make as much money as they can. You can go to a vending machine right now, and buy a candy bar, or soda pop. The more the vendor sells the happier he is.
Does a liquor license holder really care if you drink yourself to death, or die accidently? I strongly doubt it. He’s in it to make a profit. He doesn’t care if you turn over in your grave as long as he turns a profit at the end of each month.
The sadness to all of this dysfunction in our society is when our kids drink and get into trouble. They don’t want to go to jail. Maybe they have a false belief that something terrible is about to happen to them. Some of our kids have been known to kill themselves for one reason. They don’t want to go to jail.
Alcoholism is a disease in our society that’s passed down from generation to generation. I used to think, if Dad can drink, I can drink too. This vicious cycle of destruction has to be cut somewhere, sometime, and somehow.
One man told me one time. “I want to teach my son before he turns to the age of two, that living without alcohol is okay. I don’t want him to see me getting drunk, acting crazy and ending up in prison. I’ve already spent half of my adult life in prison. I’m going to cut the chain, before it affects the next generation. I cried when I was a kid and I saw my Dad in jail. I don’t want my son to look at me with tears in his eyes.”

Keeping the spirit of
dog mushing alive and well

11-11-09

by Peter Twitchell

Since I met Bob Sept, Veterinarian and owner of Bering Sea Animal Clinic in Bethel, he has been a very caring man, both personally and professionally. I brought my daughter’s dog in after it had wrapped its chain around its foot and frozen it. It eventually fell off, but left a bone exposed. Dr. Sept removed that for us, and didn’t charge a cent for his time in the operating room.
What can I say about Dr. Sept that would describe him as a man? More than that, he is kind, loves animals, loves people. Why else does someone leave his home, his family and all the comforts of life to come to rural Alaska? I believe he really cares about the animals and the people who own them.
I’ve talked to a local dog musher and he said, “Bob sure knows a lot about sled dogs. He makes the time to help mushers with serious problems. He never has said, ‘you’re a little guy, I don’t have time for you.’ For one, Bob sponsors my dog kennel and provides me with all the medicines I need and doesn’t ask for money in return. A lot of people don’t see that. Seeing what Bob does from the kindness of his heart, we tend to help each other as much as we can. It’s like love for our animals, and love for the sport of dog mushing just flows into us from Bob.”
I asked a client of Bob’s and pet owner how they would describe him. “Dr. Sept is a selfless man. He’s a wonderful veterinarian. He flies out here to the bush to take care of our dogs. He lessens all the pain and suffering our dogs would go through, and he vaccinates them against rabies, which protects the community at large.”
Another person said, “Bob tries to help the animals of Bethel. He’s gone to the airport at Anchorage to pick up a dog, brought it back home, fixed it, and returned it to the airport for a safe trip back home. He really goes out of his way for people. He’s really knowledgeable about dogs. He is more than just a doctor to dogs, he rallies and supports dog mushing, and sponsors some kennels. He’s volunteered hundreds of hours on the Iditarod, and also the K-300 dog sled races. He’s worked free to keep the dog mushing alive, and keep dog mushers mushing.”
The list of grateful animal owners goes on, thanks to Dr. Sept. And, I know, now that mushing weather is upon us, that Dr. Bob will be out there, somewhere on the field, helping a musher and his dog team. Thanks Bob, for really helping in keeping the spirit of dog mushing alive and well.

Six stages of moral reasoning

11-4-09

by Peter Twitchell

I was looking at Kohlberg’s six stages of moral reasoning, and realized that Yup’iks have made a shift in recent times. We used to adhere to numbers 5 and 6, but now changed to number 2 stage. At least that’s where I see our young people heading.
You can look at Kohlberg’s 6 stages of moral reasoning and see where you’re at. Stage no. 1 is the pleasure and pain stage. You know this stage by heart. You experience it every time you hear your favorite song. Yesterday, I heard for the first time, “Black Pearl,” by Bryan Adams. The right side of my brain lit up like a Christmas tree. I liked the guitar hooks and the phrasing, and the rhythm of the song.
Stage no. 2 is reciprocity (back-scratching) stage, you do something for me, and I’ll do something for you. I’m afraid, this is where most of us find ourselves in the present day and age. Stage 3 is the approval seeking stage, it’s self explanatory.
Stage 4 is the law and order stage. For instance if you’re in prison and you’re in stage 2 in your life, you cannot change your primary life, unless, you go to stage 4.
If you remain at stage no. 2, you’re chances of coming back to jail, once you leave, is high. Stage 5 is the social contract (helping people) stage. You’ve heard of Ghandi, and Mother Theresa. They weren’t interested in their own well-being. They wanted to help others. Here, I’m reminded of our own, Dr. Jill Seaman, a real humanitarian.
Stage no. 6 is the Universal Ethical Principles stage. How many of us have stolen a pencil or pen from work? How many of us have intentionally, or unintentionally bounced a bad check? I have. I should be so lucky, I live in a state that is so forgiving. If you live in Oklahoma for example and write a bad check for fifty dollars, you’ll go to jail for 5 years. Oklahoma state is the highest rated of ‘women in prison - in the world’ for writing a bad check. It doesn’t matter if you know how to add or you don’t, that’s just the way it is.
Kohlberg’s stage no. 2 is where everything works on plea-bargaining, such as in our courts, where they either or don’t sign off of punishments.
Life is based on one thing - the choices we make. We can choose to work, and we can choose to lay around the house. You have to bend your arm at the elbow to drink, it’s all up to you. You won’t drink, if you don’t bend your arm - your choice.

Reflection in the mirror

10-28-09

by Peter Twitchell

You ever look in the mirror and see a splittin’ image of yourself? I hope so. How about, when you’ve looked at someone and you see something disturbing about him or her? I have, once or twice.
Usually when we see something in someone we don’t like, it reflects right back to our personality. We see ourselves in that person. We all have characteristics, and we may not like about ourselves. Sometimes we see these reflections in another person.
Perhaps we are in denial about our own particular characteristics. We may see something we object to in another person that we ourselves have not had the courage to look at in ourselves.
Whenever we get this uncomfortable feeling, we need to take personal inventory of where we are. We can journal our feelings and write down things about ourselves and both negative and positive attributes about ourselves will appear.
You don’t really recognize these good or bad attributes about ourselves until we’ve started working the 12 steps of the AA principles. We begin to see objectionable things in others that exist in us. This realization should motivate us to look within ourselves and not at someone else.
This knowledge exists for one reason, when we recognize it, and we need to deal with it, it will get us movin’ along in our recovery. Step 10 entails working steps 4 - 9 on a daily basis. The 4th step in the 12X12 book is the first attempt at an inventory and the 10th step keeps us doing it.
Step 10 allows us to address things as they come up in life. The big book shows us how to do this, and when we are wrong in our actions, and harm someone. This step tells us to make amends promptly to that person. Don’t wait more than 4 days.
For an example, if you lash out at another person, because we resent what they did or said to us. We brood over our resentment and complain about that person for a few days, nursing our resentment. If we work the steps, we will realize that we are wrong. Amends are in order and we need to make them as soon as possible. This is for our own good and health. Forgiveness on our part is an important and essential step to make, in order for us to learn about our resentments and swallow our pride.
Taking responsibility over our actions is important in maintaining our sobriety. The more we practice this, our amends should come progressively more quickly each time, we make a mistake.
It’s been awhile since I let someone have it. Hopefully, I have learned the restraint of tongue. Spot check yourself and when disturbed, step back, look at yourself before acting. When you do this, guaranteed that you will reflect and take more appropriate action, than hurting someone. As you start to grow spiritually, you will find more and more positive attributes of your life. Staying on this track will bring your genuine happiness, joy and a free sober life. When you reach that peaceful plateau, then you will know.

Silent Treatment

10-22-09

by Peter Twitchell

When someone is giving me the silent treatment it really frustrates me, because it hurts me emotionally, and causes me physical pain. I never know what the other person is up to. I’m totally in the dark.
It is abuse either way you look at it. I’d rather blow up at some, apologize for things I said, which I really didn’t mean to begin with, and move forward into discussing the real issues and begin resolving the problem(s) which led to giving someone or myself the cold shoulder.
If two people are screaming at each other, it’s mutual combat, trying to hurt the other as much as possible. The one who refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem, or refuses to ignore the pain they are inflicting on the other person, may consider themselves the winner... in reality they are the one who cares less about whether or not they damaged the other person emotionally. They are cold-hearted, and could care less.
It is all about controlling the other person, and pushing their buttons. This damaging behavior can go on for days, weeks or even years, with a few good moments in between. Why would anyone want to stay in this kind of relationship? Nothing good ever comes out of it, and it happens over and over again.
Silent treatment can inflict pain on the part of the brain that tells you, “I don’t belong, I’m not good enough.” This kind of bitterness creates low self-esteem. If someone really cares about your well-being, and they truly love you, they wouldn’t let you suffer. The person doing it has to be borderline evil. Ostracizing another human being is like torturing them.
There are laws against physically abusing, emotionally abusing, and torturing another human being. I don’t see any difference when it comes to giving another person the cold shoulder, and causing them pain and suffering. If you do this on purpose, and just to hurt another human being, you’re a real bad character, scoundrel is not a good enough word.
Silent treatment can be very destructive behavior when it involves personal relationships, nor is it condusive to healing and well-being. Remember if someone pisses you off constantly for no apparent reason than to hurt you, no one deserves to be emotionally and physically hurt constantly. It’s time to leave a bad relationship. If the other person is unwilling to try and confront hurtful issues, and talk about them in a civil manner, it becomes a no-win situation.
You can’t save a bad relationship, unless the man and the woman agree to disagree, and talk about things and learn to compromise. Any relatonship, can be difficult, when there are some complex factors involved. You have to be willing to work hard at resolving problems. Remember, some resolution to the problem can be reached, but you have to be willing to talk about them.
All healthy relationships require some dialogue. You can’t sweep anything under the rug and expect it to fade away. Get involved, join the human race, work together, and both of you will be winners.
Giving someone the ‘silent treatment’ is childish, I think if someone is acting in a childish manner, and pouting and not wanting to acknowledge you, they ought to be given a ‘time out.’ Any child that’s feeling ostracized starts to behave whenever they are given a time-out, because they would rather behave than feel the physical pain. There’s a lesson in that. I guess, it requires we look at things from a little child’s eyes and learning how to talk and communicate effectively with each other.

Science of Happiness

10-15-09

by Peter Twitchell

What can you say about happiness? I know that it’s a really good feeling. It’s something good you feel inside, when you’re proud of yours or someone else’s accomplishments. It could be a good feeling that people share with each other.
The other day in class, my group and I talked about positive psychology, which led to a discussion about our Eskimo Arts and Crafts. Some of the people in my group were craftsmen and artists, from beginner to advanced. Each one of them had a happy story to share; something that really made them feel good inside, a real satisfying feeling of fulfillment. Some were great carvers, others could draw. Some didn’t have a creative bone in them, as far as art was concerned. Nevertheless, we all sat enthralled at the amount of talent present. I didn’t really think that a simple topic like this could create such excitement.
Everyone had really good feelings about the success of the artists and people they knew, like a brother or a cousin. I was amazed about how people who created works of art spoke so strongly and passionately about it. It became a very positive discussion. The artists were proud of their accomplishments, and listed them one by one. It was very interesting.
His eyes lit up as one carver spoke about making a gun stock out of male and female walrus tusks, and after embellishing the stock with his artwork, sold it for $29,000.00 to a contractor who commissioned the work on his Dad’s old flint lock rifle. He was expecting to get five grand for his work.
This same person makes pistol grips out of mastodon for three grand. One person also had two children’s books that he is ready to publish. His Dad told him that he could become a millionaire if he wanted to, as talented as he is. He just said, “I’ll be happy with just name recognition.”
We talked about scrimshawed whale baleen, how arts and crafts from various parts of Alaska had their own distinction. If you have kids that like to draw, or carve and have potential for being very creative, encourage them.
One of the more successful carvers in the group, said: “I was six years old when I started carving. I sold my first carving for five ($5.) bucks! That made me want to carve more after that. I started buying my own carving equipment, bandsaw, and files. From that one little object that fit in the palm of my hand, I can now carve a full size bear out of soapstone and get thousands of dollars for my work.”
One person had his carvings from sixth grade brought to, and displayed at the twin towers in New York. It was a fun way to spend an hour with my group, but it paid back in dividends with positive feelings of joy, and happiness. It was a very relaxing way to end the day on Friday, and even after feeling super tired, the energy was created by positive thinking and feedback.

Local Option

10-6-09

by Peter Twitchell

I write this on behalf of those persons who are unable to write this for one reason or another, and otherwise may no longer be with us because of an alcohol related death.
First, it’s a choice that I chose to drink, no one forced me. It’s a fact of life that we sometimes make choices that have tragic consequences, and we didn’t mean to make our beloved families mourn for our untimely death. You know, drugs and alcohol are a fact of life, and a way of life for some, and I chose to make it a part of my life. It had nothing to do with the fact I had a good upbringing, with a Mom and Dad that loved me, and cared for me, and was concerned that I make the best of my life.
There will be more and more tragedies in the future because of drugs and alcohol. We who aren’t here with you anymore, we’re not alone. Unfortunately, there will be more alcohol related deaths, it’s a fact of life. We cannot go around it, under it, over it. We go through with it eventually, one way or the other.
I don’t blame anyone, not even the person that sold it to me. It was my choice to buy the alcohol and drink it. We didn’t mean for our families to be hurt, saddened and cause them to mourn for their loss. Mom and Dad are strong, and they will live through their sadness, I know they will say, “It was his/her choice, and that took his/her life.”
None of us can hide from it, alcohol abuse is a way of life for some of us. Our parent’s bust their behinds to make a good life for us, then someone comes along and tears down everything they ever built up. But then again, we live with the consequences of our choices in life, both good and bad. But, for these people that come along, and make changes in our lifestyles, I’d like to ask them to look at the past summer, and look at how many precious lives that were lost to drownings, most of them were alcohol related deaths here, we can’t hide from that fact.
I just ask you one last time to look at it one more time. Look at what’s happening to our people. Yes, there will be more and more tragedies related to drinking, it’s a fact of life. Bethel is after all the hub of the Yukon and Kuskokwim region. People come here to bank, buy their groceries, do their school shopping, and buy their fuel.
Unfortunately for some of us, drinking and water don’t mix. People will continue to use Bethel and Anchorage because it’s convenient. People go to Anchorage, and come back home. Most of the time their booze is confiscated, good for them, maybe that was one less alcohol related death.
Reflect on past tragedies when we had a liquor store and bars in Bethel. Many of our family, friends, and Yupiaqs died alcohol related deaths. Just look at all the crosses at the cemetary, not everyone dies of old age, more and more it’s your neighbors and friends from here and other villages.
You used to tell me, “think before you act” - I didn’t do it, I hope you do likewise in regard to the local option law. We don’t need any more bodies at the bottom of the river. Remember, one time, the river was used for our food source, not our final resting place.

Glorious days of fall

9-30-09

by Peter Twitchell

We were on our way home from a glorious 3 days of hunting 70 river miles up river from Bethel. There was our boat captain and mechanic Tony Avalos, deckhand Chris Wasuli, Elder Al Wasuli, and myself. I was in charge of scouting for suitable camping spots to everyone’s satisfaction.
At the headwaters of the Akuluraq the water level was 3 feet below average, which made negotiating the creek somewhat difficult. We had to push and pull around 4 bends.
We went through two props. Due to the hard use of the props, the water impeller on the lower unit of the outboard motor nearly crippled the whole engine.
After two hard but, successful days of hunting we turned the boat around and headed back downstream at about 5 miles per hour. Golden yellow leaves of the birch trees were fluttering down from the sunny blue sky with its cotton white clouds.
Tony and I rod and reeled 4 culugpaleks or grayling, as we scraped gravel bottom. Finally after 13 hours of traveling, we landed at the Moravian Children’s Home historical site, at 2AM in the morning.
We threw a space blanket on the grass after crawling up the muddy bank and threw ourselves to deep sleep on the ground. The last thing I remember seeing is tons of stars, satellites floating by and geese making their southern migration in the dark night.
In the morning I got up to more geese and decided to walk the grounds of the abandoned Children’s Home. I thought, this was such a beautiful place in its day. And, it’s such a perfect location to have Kids Spirit Camps and Families Healing Retreats. It’s time AVCP, Inc. step up to the plate and team up with the Moravian Church and put their money where its really going to count.

Life in Akiak

9-16-09

by Peter Twitchell

When I was 9 years old, a couple things happened. Mom and I went to live with Dad in Akiak and we became the 49th State. I didn’t really understand what the latter was all about. But I was excited about the former. It felt kind of weird though, moving to another village, but the people were friendly and life was great.
I found some lifelong friends while in Akiak, which included Albert Kvamme Jr., Matt Gilila, Mike Williams, Adam and Lillian Japhet, Jackson Williams, James Nicolai, Moses Owen, Ronnie and Melvin Egoak, and Robert and Betty Snyder. If I left anyone out, it is on purpose because they either were too young or came along later.
I mustn’t be remiss though - David and Peter Gilila are my good friends today including Robert Ivan, and Ivan M. Ivan. Mom and Dad knew everybody including the Jackson, Lake, Kvamme, Kawagley, Demantle, Egoak, Ivan, and Williams families.
I was very fond of elder Molly Owen. Shortly before her death in the mid 1990’s, I sang the 94th Psalm for her at her house. She was a strong, courageous, and loving woman who always lifted me up and encouraged me. I will never forget her.
Life in Akiak included hunting spruce hens, or willow grouse, with my .410 shotgun. I loved walking in the trees hunting grouse and observing all the squirrels. Just a few days before freeze up, around floating ice Mom, Dad, and I boated upriver a few bends above Akiak to fish for sheefish.
The big fish really went for the sliver spoons and they really liked my yellow spoon with red dots. Looking back, I had a great time in Akiak and wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in the world.
One cold October day, Dad and I went above Akiak and shot a couple willow grouse that were perched on a tree along the river when Dad spotted some mallards huddled and swimming together. Since they were swimming upstream, along a big sandbar, Dad went above them and we waited in a lying position with our shotguns cocked and ready to fire.
In a few minutes, the big fat mallards were within killing range. Dad instructed me to shoot the upper half and he would shoot the lower half. He said, “When I count to three, shoot.”
We got all 7 mallards and by evening, they were toasty warm in our, and Maggie Japhet’s cooking pots.
As winter approaches, these are a few of my fall time memories.

A memorable moose hunt

9-10-09

by Peter Twitchell

When I left home to go moose hunting and, the more I saw of the tundra, moose meadows, and nature, the more I felt I had left a cosmetic city behind with its cosmetic buildings.
By the first day I began to appreciate the great outdoors again. There were all the familiar sounds of geese, swans, and cranes gathering to begin their southward migration. I saw and heard cackling geese, Canadian honkers, whitefronts, speckled bellies, yellow legs, and ones I hadn’t seen before. They came right over me out of the morning fog. They had black heads with gray and black feathers.
I saw tons of beavers, especially at night in the moonlight and early morning hours. I saw two muskrats and a porcupine. A falcon swooped down and grabbed a ptarmigan off the tundra and brought it back to it’s perch on a spruce tree.
It was an unusual sight but we were all playing the hunting game - bird for bird, a brown bear was running down a cow, and we were hunting bull moose.
A bear visited our camp at night, walking a couple feet from the side of the tent I was sleepign in. It didn’t bother us or the cooler full of meat. We were camped on a sandy beach up the Three-Step.
We moved to the Gweek River and set up camp next to an old gravesite. My son Dan who has good hearing, kept hearing chimes ringing. I heard something too.
I had a nightmare at camp and plan to write a script for a movie idea based on my dream of a lady. It was really spooky, I never been so scared.
All in all, it was a successful moose hunt. I didn’t need to dress up or live by the clock. It was good to smell the tundra again and fired gunpowder too. I figure I went 20 miles on my odometer, the boat and motor probably closer to 250 miles, but it was a journey of a lifetime bringing with it lots of good memories of outings with my family, friends, and loved ones.
These memories I will cherish all my life. Thank you for reading this and sharing a tad bit of my trip.

Help needed in hit and run incident

9-1-09

by Peter Twitchell

Sometime between the hours of 10am and 5pm on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009, my boat trailer was damaged beyond use. Currently it is useless and new boat trailers cost $2000.
My boat trailer, which has been sitting quietly all summer was bulldozed to the side of the driveway by someone who pushed their bumper against the tongue of the boat trailer and force pushed it around.
Earlier I had seen a man in a burgundy truck with a rack in the back and a tall man in a blue car examining the area. I made a police report and they took photos. If anyone saw anything suspicious, please report it 543-3781. Only a criminal would destroy another person’s property and think nothing of it. I think it might have been a local business’ workers, but I can’t prove it without help.
If you know anything related to this crime that would lead to a prosecution, I am offering a $200 reward for information.
The morning of Wednesday, August 26, 2009 my boat trailer with a storage 6’x8’ wooden box sitting on it at Watson’s Corner, at 213 3rd Avenue, right across from the GCI satellite dishes, was damaged by people who think they can just vanish into thin air. My number is 543-5980.

Safe Hunting

8-27-09

by Peter Twitchell

As we prepare to go hunting, be aware that Game Unit 18 is open for the first 10 days of September. And there’s a good chance that the season be shorter than 10 days. I’d encourage you to take KYUK Radio along with you so you can hunt within the law.
If you get your moose, you have 2 days to turn in your harvest ticket. Just to be on the safe side, federal lands are closed to hunting during this time.
Practice SAFETY at all times. Don’t chamber a round until you are absolutely sure you have a shot. Make sure the safety mechanism is working. Don’t depend on the safety lock, unload your rifle by extracting a live round if you chambered one.
Remember, ‘NEVER’ point a gun at anyone, even if you think your gun is unloaded. NEVER point and shoot over anyone. If they stand up, you could injure or kill them accidentally.
Practice safety in wooded areas. Don’t carry a loaded gun in the trees, again, it’s too easy to have an accident. Don’t ruin a perfect hunting trip by being careless, and don’t get excited. Stay calm and in self control.
Don’t keep loaded guns in the boat or in the tent. It’s too easy to jar a gun and cause it to fire accidentally. Always keep the muzzle of your rifle pointed down or opposite of the hunter next to you.
Make sure you got the right caliber cartridges. Pack everything you need – ammo, hunting license, and tags in a Ziploc or on your person.
Don’t pack alcohol or drugs, hunt sober, with a clear mind. WEAR your life jacket and bring a signaling device should you need help. Let someone know where you’re hunting and return date.
Happy & Safe Hunting to all hunters.

Proof is in the pudding

8-21-09

by Peter Twitchell

Dr. Martin Luther King has a book called: What is the measure of a man? I think it is a good question. If we’re talking about measurements as to what we can do, it is limitless. Just look at all our native pilots, then and now. They get to points only you and I can imagine.
Our role as parents and the first teachers of our children, we have a great responsibility to them. We can’t be part time parents. In their formative years, we can’t be drunk or out gambling. Children look up to us and they follow what we model for them. They learn their social skills from us. If we’re there for them, having sit down meals with them, they usually talk about what’s bothering them.
Meals are a great interaction time when a lot of things come out. They learn we are valuing their time, besides learning social skills, learning to trust at the same time, growing up with a sense of belonging.
When we’re out gambling and partying all night, kids feel abandoned and neglected. It is no wonder kids are growing up with a lot of anger.
Let’s do a little calculation. When we dedicate three nights playing bingo or cards, that’s at least 12 hours a week, 48 hours a month, one whole month out the year we’re absent from our kids’ lives. In other words, we’ve been gone one whole year by the time they’re 10 years old.
Remember, we are our kids’ first teacher, education begins at home. It’s senseless that our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren should suffer the consequences of our negative behaviors. Let’s start generating healthy productive and happy children right now.
We can break this vicious cycle of dysfunction and chaos, it’s never too late. What matters most at the end of the measuring tape is that we did our utmost best with what we had to raise up our kids. The measure of a man, in one sense, is in the proof of the pudding. How well did our children turn out?

Hunting from 2 to 59

8-13-09

by Peter Twitchell

As I prepared to go hunting with my son Dan and granddaughter Bessie Jane, I can’t help but remember my Dad taking me out on my 1st goose hunt.
I wasn’t old enough to walk, and so Dad pulled me in a sled. When we got to his hunting spot, which was a flyway for geese, he set down his Winchester 16 ga. pump shotgun and took out the green Remington shot shells. I heard geese over head, I was getting excited.
I could hear someone calling geese about a half mile away. As Dad began bending willows over us, he said, “That’s Nicolai Waska, he’s one of the best goose callers.”
Sure enough, he would start calling and flock after flock of geese headed his way, flying low. He’d start shooting and they’d start falling.
After a while, Dad started calling geese, then he would raise his shotgun up and start blasting birds out of the sky. He’d tell me to stay put, hurry away, and bring back a handful of birds. This was back in 1952, when geese flew low over Bethel by the hundreds.
Dad and I were below Joe Pete’s fishcamp, directly across from the sandbar in a clearing of willows along the bank. That clearing of willows became a part of the Kuskokwim River 41 years ago. By August 1965 my Dad was gone too, taken by the Kuskokwim River in a boating accident.
Now, for the first time, I have the privilege of hunting with my nine (9) year old granddaughter. And, I can sense her excitement, as I felt mine, 57 years ago.

Help your child to excel

8-06-09

by Peter Twitchell

Parents and culture can support or hold back a child’s talent(s). Talents “shine” when they are nurtured and weaken if they are neglected or punished.
I’m glad that my daughter Suzi’s mother supports her in the arts. Suzi is 10 years old going on 11 and she is involved in Summer Art Camp. She is encouraged and was encouraged by me and other to draw and paint when she was two years old. That is why she is not afraid to get her hands wet, so to speak, she dives into painting and artwork.
I see her as a very artistic person and she needs to be continually encouraged in that direction. She has an artistic mind and it should continue to be developed. I encourage her in that direction as much as I can and her mother has her entering U.S. Fish & Wildlife calendar contests. She recently entered Alaska Airlines design & paint a jet contest. And, although her design was not selected, nonetheless, she tried.
Suzi also loves music, and we encourage her to develop her musical talents by taking piano lessons from Patty McMillin. I believe a child will excel in any area they choose to, and we have to give them some options to choose from.
If they don’t become masters in the paintings and drawings, or music, at least they were exposed to the concept or ideas. They are proud of their accomplishments and we afforded them that opportunity.
So, I encourage you to be supportive of your child’s endeavors in the arts, math, reading, sciences, and other interests. Help them expand their horizons by expanding their minds.

My Tundra Delight

7-30-09

by Peter Twitchell

We recently recorded a instrumental tune entitled, “The Tundra Shack Boogie” as a tribute to Max & Sophie Lieb’s “Tundra Shack”. I’m proud to say it will be the featured song on my next CD: “26,000 Yup’iks Can’t Be Wrong”.
As a kid growing up Bethel, I hung out at the Tundra Shack as much as I could. I used to hear stories like when “Hub” Atkins & Manny Konig used up all their quarters playing “Surfin’ Bird” by the Trashmen, over and over again. Max was relieved when 10pm rolled around and he could unplug the jukebox and send the two home.
I used to go and ride the black and white electric horse until all my dimes were gone. When I got tired of the long hard ride, I ordered me up one of those fancy soda fountain malts they sold. They had exotic names too, like: “The Brown Slough Delight”, one of my favorites – draft root beer with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.
I watched people come and go with great amusement. Regulars like Roy & Ruthie Hall, Clydie Hall, Charlie & Nora Guinn, Frank Jones & Bunny Venes, Billy Pete, Middy & Charlotte Chaney, Joe Pete & David Twitchell, “Pinky”, Ben & Cathy Dale, Chet Atkins, Jimmix & Marita Samuelson, Dave Swanson, Keith & Marie Swanson, Axel & Pearlie Johnson, Squeek, & Sompy Elliott.
As I sat on a red swiveling stool watching these people, little did I know that they were the shakers and movers of Bethel. Then I went back to listening to the “Birds & the Bees” with Jewel Aken on the jukebox, as I took the last straw of my malted drink.

Make a plan of action

7-21-09

by Peter Twitchell

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seeking answers and support from other is not a sign of weakness. It makes you a stronger person. Realize this: All of us have our ups and our downs. We are all human, and we all experience the same problems.
Once I wrote a song with a chorus that went something like this:
“You’re someone I care about… I see myself in you. Life is not fair, sometimes it seems that no one cares. You’re someone I care about – whatever it is, we’ll see it through.”
When you’re put down, and see no hope, really think about your feelings. Your confidence, in yourself, and others will be restored. Your feelings of despair “I’m not good enough, I’m nobody,” are only temporary.
You are surely somebody – you were made in the image of God. If you feel there’s only bad things in your life, you can increase the good things in your life. We all go through stress. We put a little too much pressure on ourselves when we think, “I don’t have a good enough house,” or “I don’t have any money.” Remember that people with good houses, and people with lots of money go through a lot of stress.
Stress can have a negative effect on our emotions, our thoughts, how we behave and how we react to them. If you’re not sleeping enough, about 8 hours a day and not eating properly – you’re not going to be thinking straight.
Take care of yourself, tomorrow will be brand new day. Eventually things will begin to look up.
Focus on what you can do differently. For instance, get your GED. Manage your emotions. Feeling depressed, lonely, sad, angry, and scared go with stress. You will be happy and feel joy in your heart again. Don’t give up.
If you feel you can’t cope with your problems, there are other people who can help you. We’ve all been there.
Thinking about the good things in our lives is difficult when we’re stressed and dwelling only on the negative things. Make a plan of action. Take care of problems, one at a time, as they come. Keep the feelings and needs of others in mind when you’re feeling down.
God loves you, no matter who you are. We need each other in order to move on.

“The Shift”

7-15-09

by Peter Twitchell

Rob Applebee came to Bethel and is making a difference in the lives of our children. He is a juvenile justice officer at the Bethel Youth Facility, and produces a ‘live’ 2 hour KYUK Radio show called “The Shift” Saturday nights – 9 to 11.
In the last year, it’s been on the air, it’s been garnered the support of parents who call in “frequently”.
Rob uses the format not just to play Gospel-based rock & rap, but speaks to the cultural issues of the kids and families. The show promotes traditional values, the message of God’s Gospel – “Jesus Christ died for our sins.”
The show is co-hosted by Roger Baird – Assembly of God, and the youth pastor at Covenant and various youth guests from time to time.
“The music we play is God-centered”, “We believe healing & restoration can come to Bethel through Christ”, “We’re on for the community through prayer – we give Bibles, and do gospel rap artist interviews”.
One of the things I’d like to encourage the parents is to know “what your kids are listening to and putting into their minds”. “Some lack solid family units.” “The problem here is just like anywhere else.” “The community’s responsibility is to help families take care of kids.” “We need to understand – we’re not alone.” “Holding kids responsible, using love to correct and discipline them.” “As a kid, mom should know before I get home. We have to have discipline waiting for us, when we get home.”
“A community’s greatest resource is its KIDS.” I want to do something positive for kids, just as we have at the Bethel Youth Facility. I’ve seen through the love of staff, kids who have turned their lives around and succeeded. This is a reflection of the dedication of the staff, but it needs to start at home.

Rediscovery

7-9-09

by Peter Twitchell

I went for a boat ride this Fourth of July weekend. This was a fun trip. The boat was pulling a rubber pontoon with people on it. Every time the boat operator turned the boat, the pontoon skidded wildly sideways and when it hit the wake of another boat, it went airborne for a distance of about 20 feet, before it touched again, to repeat the process all over again.
The people riding the pontoon and hanging on for dear life didn’t have any control, a hundred forty horses was pulling them. One person who survived the ride said, “I was scared!”
It made me think, “You bet you were.”
When we lead lives of alcohol abuse, hurting each other – it’s going to be wild, and it’s going to be tough. We’re totally out of control when we’re plastered.
After many crashes and clashes, we begin to get some sense knocked into our brains, provided we’re not dead by then. We begin to think about the virtues and values that were taught to us as youngsters.
Some of us are born and thrown into this world, albeit, “We come from the School of Hard Knocks.” We soon realize that we are not the center of the world. We have checks and balances we must live by. And, in order for us to function properly, we have to overcome egotism, narcissism, and selfishness. Until then, we are prone to breaking the law, we are not in control.
At this point, we need to rediscover love, respect, honor and faith for ourselves, and then, and only then, for our fellow man. Take a moment and look at this world as a house, and a home where you live.
We need to, number one, pick up ourselves, and number two, clean our house – in other words, clean up our act, and change our destructive behavior and begin living our lives like decent human beings.
It was at this precise moment, I came to my senses. I had taken a spill in the Mother Kuskokwim River. I was one of the lucky ones – I survived!

Seal oil, moose & caribou

6-24-09

by Peter Twitchell

Summer is pretty near half over, can you believe how fast time has flown? Most people are done with their harvest of king salmon We will be busily harvesting salmon, until the Silvers are gone.
It’s been a good summer. Our tundra has been watered and berries are growing wild. The ducklings and goslings are getting bigger and fatter. Soon they will fill the cooking pot just nicely.
We will probably have to purchase a new freezer for moose this fall. I am looking forward to drying caribou meat and freezing the bulk of it for later on. This is a real delicacy with seal oil when these minus temperatures start bringing the thermometer down.
If you don’t care for seal oil too much, moose and caribou make perfect jerky. Just put your meat, however way you want it, with spices on a cookie sheet in the oven or in your dehydrator and air dry. My favorite is air dried outside for a few days.
I’m also looking forward to fresh berries, and later clams. After you gather them, you can throw a bunch in boiling water, just enough for your hunting party and eat them with seal oil.
I can’t tell you enough, how much the thought of fresh clams makes my mouth water. This is worth waiting for right before moose hunting season. I’d like to take my sons Dan & Dave and my friend Tony Avalos to the mouth of the Kuskokwim the last week of August. This is also a perfect time for goose hunting, and who knows, we may even get some fresh seal oil.
I know my son Dan was wondering where my harpoon was the other day. They say the mind is a powerful thing. I can tell you all this talk about our wild foods has made me extremely hungry.

Aging

6-17-09

by Peter Twitchell

Pisciigaliineq ilumun assiituq. This means that as we age, becoming more and more incapacitated and more dependent on others is no good. As we age we become more and more inactive. In other words as we become older, we become less and less active. Either, way you put this, there is no improvement. It’s a fact all Elders have to endure.
I heard an Elderly woman on the radio talk show the other day, and she was pleading for someone to give her a fresh king salmon. Imagine, in her youth, she was able to go and cut many fish, hanging them to dry, and curing them in the smokehouse. Now, she is old and feeble, yearning for the taste of a fresh salmon.
Now, imagine, if you will, getting old and feeble yourself. Can you think of one person who might be able to provide you with a king salmon? Some will have extended family who really care for their Elders and will take care of their needs. Others will have neither, the resources or the family to help them.
Can you feel it coming on? I sure can. I haven’t felt like eighteen in a while. I’m not agile as those half my age. Each step, as I scale up a steep bank, is guarded. I feel each step, and my footwork seems a little clumsy as my boots slip in the mud and snag up in the small clusters of riverbank scrubs. It’s funny, I never seemed to have this much difficulty before.
Soon I will rely on the strength of the young ones to go up to view the landscape, and tell me what’s up there besides the tundra. One time I used to be strong, and healthy. I was always the first one up the bank, with my gun in one hand and the anchor of the boat in the other, taking in the full view of lakes with swans, muskrats, and ducks in them, or a herd of caribou passing by feeding on a fresh supply of tundra moss. And, seeing a field of orange, or blue, as salmon berries or blue berries are ready to be picked, while enjoying a gust of air blowing the fresh scent of the tundra into my face.
I realize now, that one day, I will crawl up the bank, just to feast my eyes, and bring the familiar pictures of my mind to full reality. Then one day, I can tell my story, of how it was to be young and climb the hills, walk the meadows, traverse the tundra and stoop down to eat its fresh berries, when my back was strong and my knees were fit.
Thank you to everyone who takes care of their Elders and provides them with the services and resources they need. They really appreciate all the help they receive.
I really appreciate the workers at the Eddie Hoffman Sr. Center, and the Chrissie Shantz Day Care. As a worker of my ONC Tribal organization the last year, I’ve had the privilege of volunteering two days a month helping our Elders at those centers. It’s really been a humbling experience. Just bringing an Elder a cup of cold water is such a big help to them, or assisting them to the dining room table for lunch, and helping them with their tray.
This is my final week at ONC before I go to work with our inmates at YKCC, but I want to thank Thelma Kaganak, Director of the Senior Center, for the opportunity and great privilege to help our senior citizens. I want to thank Michael Samuelson who allowed us to volunteer at the senior center when he was CEO at ONC when I started working July 2008. This has re-enforced our cultural teaching of helping our Elders, without being asked to.

Have a great summer

6-5-09

by Peter Twitchell

I’m looking for something profound to say on my article this week but I haven’t the clue what that is. I know that something profound is in my head, but it is caught under a pile of other documents and data that have yet to be processed.
I could talk about life jackets and outboard motors as summer is here, but you know how important they are for everyone concerned, especially children. I would like to visit my fish camp and put it together so that I have a place to go and meditate while preparing and preserving fish. I need to repair or make a new rack, which would serve my needs for the next several years. And prepare my smoke house for use this summer.
My other option in regard to smoking fish would be to make some half-drieds. My other option is to freeze some salmon in zip locks, which is the best bet for making sure I get plenty of fresh fish stored for my winter use.
I also wouldn’t mind asking my friend Chris Fisher to help me put up fish. This way I’d be guaranteed I’d get enough fish, especially fishing with someone named fisher. So, Chris if you’re not busy, get ready for the salmon.
My friend, Tony Avalos, is making a bunch of stainless steel uluaqs, and even his own version of a “Tony Avalos Special Mexican Uluaq”. I’m getting one of these, and not just because they are signed, but Mom used to depend on them to cut her fish.
I thought I’d give the go this summer and if we continue to have the kind of weather we’ve been having, it’s going to be ideal weather for drying and smoking fish. You’ve got to take advantage of every opportunity to do it.
Out here in bush Alaska, we don’t have the road system to be a part of an affordable food chain. The prices we pay in Bethel is almost triple what you pay on a road system market like Anchorage.
We do have a ready-made super market on the tundra, but we’ve got to assert and exert ourselves to take advantage of it while we still have it. We don’t want to let our families down and not get fish, not if we can help it. Sometimes our circumstances puts this summer activity beyond our control.
Don’t forget the Fish & Game test fishery provides the community with fish on a first come, first serve basis outside the Tundra Center. You gotta be on the constant lookout if you want a fresh fish. You don’t necessarily need a ten thousand dollar boat and motor, and a thousand dollar net to stock your freezer with fish this summer. You just have to have the keen sense of a seagull and the sharp eye of an eagle to be on top of it when the free fish is delivered.
About now, my body is craving for a taste of fresh smelt and salmon, and it won’t be long till I satisfy that hunger.
The other thing is river traffic. Respect the fishermen and try not to make a big wake when you’re speeding near them. Be careful not to cut through a net. Drive defensively and avoid unnecessary collisions with other boaters.
And, if you see a motorist in need of a tow or having motor trouble, slow down and lend some assistance. You just never know, you may save a life out there on the river.
Share your fish when you can, it will be greatly appreciated by the Elders and others who don’t have the means to get a fresh fish. Don’t drink and operate a motorized vehicle – they don’t mix.
Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and make sure you have some bug repellent. I heard an interesting remedy not too long ago. If you spray Listerine around your outdoor patio, barbecue area, steam house, and camp, the mosquitoes will avoid your favorite sitting area. I’m going to try it and see what the results are. It can’t hurt. I’m willing to try anything to keep from getting eaten alive.
Have a safe summer, and we’ll see you out on the river and its tributaries.

Definition of subsistence

5-19-09

by Peter Twitchell

The word subsistence means “life”, “survival”, or “continuation.” Alaska’s indigenous or original people, those who were here then and now, before the outside world set foot on our land subsist on its wildlife for sustenance.
Subsistence has been our means of survival since time immemorial. In other words, the land, sky and its waters have been our dinner table. We share its bountiful harvest with others. When it comes to sharing our food, we are very generous.
I can go down to Sitka in the spring and the Tlingit people are only too happy to share their herring eggs on kelp with me. In fact, they give me enough to bring home and share with others. It’s the same way when I go down to the coast right about this time. The coastal people share their harvest of seal, seal oil and walrus freely. This is the way it has been for centuries.
So, does subsistence apply to everyone in Alaska? I don’t believe so. What I believe is that the people who live the closest to the land and depend on it for their sustenance are true subsistence hunters and fishermen. The guy with a $70,000.00 a year job and the resources to buy Sirloin steaks and lobsters can be a hunter, but he is not a true subsistence user solely to put food on the table for survival purposes. The moose and fish this guy catches on the side is “extra”, like frosting on the cake.
When outsiders say “the average U.S. consumption of domesticated meats, poultry and fish is 255 pounds per person, compared to 354 pounds of harvested wild meats, birds, and fish for Eskimos.” They fail miserably to ignore the fact we share our catch of moose, caribou, bear, waterfowl, and fish, with our Elders, widows, and those without the ways and means to hunt and fish for themselves.
How many times have you gone to a home where food is not in abundance and they share what little they have with you as if you were a part of their family? How common is it in the western society to share one’s food supply with others, even strangers, so freely?
The reason we have survived and thrived in a harsh environment for generations is the fact we help each other. It’s arrogance if you label yourself a subsistence hunter and fisherman, and do that one month out of the entire year. The act of subsistence is a day to day activity, it’s a lifestyle, a way of life.
In our Eskimo culture, there is no such thing as a part time subsistence hunter or fisherman. You are a subsistence user full time. We don’t dabble in subsistence. If you have a gallon of seal oil stashed away in your freezer and you dip into it every week, then you are a subsistence user. If you have black ducks and geese, dried salmon, dried smelt, moose, seal, caribou, salmon berries, black berries, blue berries, cranberries, herring eggs, sour dock, mouse nuts, walrus blubber, and a well worn rifle and one of the first shotguns that ever came out, then you are a subsistence fisherman and subsistence hunter.
There are no part-time subsistence hunters and fisherman in my Yupiaq Tribe. Our subsistence way of life sustains us and keeps us healthy, eating the foods the tundra, sky and water provides for us everyday since childhood.
If you’re doubting what I’m saying, then take a good, long hard look at the definition of subsistence. Granted, there are a few who practice subsistence on a full time basis outside our tribe. All subsistence fishers have their Uluaqs, drying racks, smoke houses, nets and berry buckets ready for the fish and berry season to begin. Have a safe and bountiful harvest.

Tununak

5-14-09

by Peter Twitchell

I just returned from a day trip to Tununak. I’ve been to the village a number of times in the past. The first time was when I was gathering Eskimo stories for KYUK radio.
I remember, as I disembarked the Twin Otter piloted by master pilot Tom Warner, seeing an Elder surveying the arriving passengers and cargo. I didn’t want to feel abandoned like a total stranger so I went up to him and talked to him in my Native language - Yupiaq. Right away we connected. A big grin came across his face and he told me, “Kassauyukluten,” (I thought you were a kass’aq or white man).
He invited me to his home for some dried fish and coffee. It was January and a ground blizzard was commencing. He wanted to make sure that I didn’t go hungry. He said, “I’ll take you over to my brother’s house and you can have dinner there.”
Later, I had some delicious reindeer soup at his brother’s house. When we reached the Elders house, I noticed that he had been carving a pair of earrings and they were sitting on the table. His carvings were immaculate. The earrings were polished and had Indian ink designs.
Once I established that he had carved them, I commissioned him to make a ring and pendant for me. When I went over to him and whispered in his ear exactly what I wanted carved, a boyish grin appeared on his face and he started laughing, then tearing up. He said in a really soft voice, “For real?” and when I nodded in the affirmative, he laughed even harder.
About a couple months later I saw the Elder at the hospital lobby. He smiled really big as he reached into the breast pocket of his coat. He carefully pulled out and unraveled the tissue wrapping of his carvings. Upon reviewing his work again, he smiled with great satisfaction. I was very pleased with the master carver’s work of art. That would be the last time I saw Elder Carl Flynn, but I saw his brother Jens after that.
We came into Tununak last Monday under the covering of a thick morning fog. The bay ice was all broken up and the fog hung over the village. The pilot circled lower and lower until the airfield was visible. The air taxi agent named Greg was there to pick me up. I was completely disoriented and the village didn’t look the same. The landscape was covered in snow.
I realized a few minutes later over five feet of snow covered the village’s boardwalk. The snow was piled clear up to the roof of many of the coastal village dwellings. I attempted to walk to the local store but kept sinking up to my knees. I retreated back to the home I was visiting.
Tununak is located in a beautiful setting facing the Bering Sea. When I returned to Bethel I talked to my friend Bob Angaiak whose original place of residence is Tununak, and he stated the last time he can recall there was that much snow was when he was between 10 and 15 years old.
My heart goes out to the fine people of Tununak who will have to endure a couple more weeks of deep snow. There wasn’t too much sno-go traffic when I was there and when the snow is five foot deep, it’s difficult to jump and go on a snow machine when the gas is $5.00-$6.00 a gallon.
An Elder told me, “I need to buy an outboard motor to fish this coming summer, but I can’t afford the price of a new engine.
When I was growing up in Bethel, there were Jesuit volunteers who came up every summer to help out. We need a good small engine mechanic to help when needed, b/c most of the Elders in the villages still depend on their 2 cycle motors. This would be a good teaching tool also for schools to experiment with. Our kids need to keep busy and also learn to be productive. What a great project for some mechanically minded students. Let’s face the truth once and for all. An X-box or video game isn’t going to help you out of a tight spot when you’re stranded dead in the water. In the summer, being on the coast is divine after all the ice and snow has turned into water at Tununak.

Gifts bestowed to me

4-29-09

by Peter Twitchell

I remember the saying that goes something like this, “In all that you do, do it well.” Something to that effect. My grandfather, Adams Hollis Twitchell, was a trader with a general mercantile store. He was also a miner in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In his later years he grew lots of potatoes up in Takotna, some 18 miles from McGrath. My Dad, David Adams Twitchell, followed in his Dad’s footsteps and ran and operated a grocery and general merchandise store across the river from Bethel, at Kasigluk, and Akiak.
As a kid growing up, I was around my Dad a lot and watched him in the store and his transactions in selling and buying. When I was 8 years old, Dad would have me board the Alaska Steamship that came up the river and anchored across the river from Bethel at the area of the old airport.
After a day of fishing, he parked his boat full of king salmon and had me run through the galley of the ship shouting, “Fresh King Salmon for Sale!” At first, I felt a great embarrassment, but then Dad made some sales and it became like second nature for me. I felt good that Dad succeeded in his endeavors. It did really give me a feeling of great satisfaction. I still have the knack for selling.
In high school I was no. 1 in our Distributive Education class, selling and raising funds for our class of 1970. Today, I feel comfortable soliciting businesses for door prizes and selling raffle tickets seems to come very easy.
As I grew older, I became somewhat of a great negotiator. There was only one objective for us boys, like Moe Anvil, Manny Evon and myself. We played marbles to win. There was no such a thing as sharing our marbles, we played to make a killing and 99.9% of the time I went home with a pocketful of marbles. Even cracked knuckles from laying my hand on the wet ground for hours didn’t matter. My mission was accomplished.
Later in junior high school, I started a band called “The Strangetones.” I contacted my good friend Samuel Oscar and we got a couple more guys together – John David and Jack Hopstad. We had to make spending money and there was no time to waste. We emulated the instrumental group “The Ventures,” and learned to play cover songs of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Byrds, and even created our own songs.
Sam and I had recordings of our music, but they burned up in a fire. All we have is memories of those early years when we were 14 years old and making great sounds on our guitars. Being Yupiaqs, our group’s name seemed appropriate to fit the bill.
There was a spell when a guy named Mr. “Z” took us under his wing as “band manager” but when we realized he was pocketing most of the money and paying us peanuts, we fired him.
Later as we entered high school it was important that we could also sing, in addition to playing guitars. I jumped right into it and Moe Wassilie invited me to my first singing gig. He recruited me into his renowned “Arctic ButterFudge” band, because he came down with a bad case of a sore throat and couldn’t sing.
In the middle of December we ran from Swanson’s theatre where Moe ran me down and told me, “I need a singer tonight.” By this time I knew some songs by heart like Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally”, “The Young Rascals”, “Slow Down”, and a couple others. The first thing Moe asked me was, “Can you sing ‘Black is Black’ by Los Bravos?”
I told him I’d heard it but didn’t know the words. From the quarter mile long line of movie goers, I got out of line and we ran home in our Beatle boots. It was simply the most amazing thing. At the age of 16 I couldn’t slip and fall, even if I tried, as we ran across the Honey Bucket Lake and up the sparsely populated terrain stretching up to recently named “Watson’s Corner” where we lived. I pulled the LP record out and we commenced to write down the lyrics to the song Moe wanted me to sing. I had an ear for music when my hearing was at its peak and I could sing in perfect pitch.
I played in Moe’s band for a spell when John David, Stan Nevak, George David and I set out on our own. We were in the groove, making a hefty $500.00 per band member a week throughout high school. That was big money in 1967. Now some 42 years later, I still find myself playing in fiddling bands. Thanks to my Dad, who was also a singer and guitar player, and all the guys that I’ve had the privilege to play in the band with.
In 1972, I went semi-professional, when I was handpicked by guys twice my age. These gentlemen were seasoned and professional musicians in every sense of the word. They taught me a lot about music and stage presentation. These guys never ever made mistakes, top quality professional musicians who never had a bad day on the stage. Now I just smile when a band member has a temper tantrum on stage, in front of spectators.
I want to thank these guys - Jack Fisher from Afognak Island near Kodiak, Johnny Waters - a Blackfoot Indian originally from Arkansas, and a Mexican steel guitar player named Mike Young.
When I first met Mike, he drove up in bronze ’52 Chevy, and the guys told me, “Don’t make him mad when he plays the steel, he’s got a 45 (cal. Pistol) on his lap at all times.” I believed Johnny as I thought, “What did I get myself into?” and then they started laughing (LOL!). I thank God for all the gifts he’s bestowed upon me.

We can start to heal

4-22-09

by Peter Twitchell

When a man has committed the crime of assault and he is put in jail, he may tell his aipaq (partner), “I promise, I will never hit you again.” But the reality is, it happens over and over again. Maybe not right away, but it occurs over and over again.
A woman who has been mistreated as a child will treat her aipaq in a hurtful way that hurts him mostly emotionally. This may occur as a result of distrust and fear of being hurt again by the woman. A woman may not even be aware that she is pushing her aipaq away by her behavior.
When someone believes that they are no good, dirty, and unlovable people, they will act out their beliefs about themselves. A person who has been told that they’re dumb, stupid, and ugly all their lives will begin to believe it. A woman who has been abused may later marry a loving man, one who treats her in a loving way, but she lashes out at her husband, treating him as if he were the person who had caused her pain and wounded her.
Our beliefs although untrue, will bring the believer to shame. Shame becomes the engine that drives the abused person. Perhaps the little “child” in that person has never cried. When a woman comes to grips with her shame, she will cry for that hurt little girl in her.
Healing is a process and it goes hand in hand with forgiveness. Forgiving your abuser may take years, but it’s not going to be instantaneous. Feeling good about yourself isn’t going to happen like instant coffee.
A woman may live for years with her shame until one day she admits to herself that forgiving her abuser is not agreeing to what he did to her, or condoning the wrong he did. Forgiveness starts with self. Your abuser may have died years ago, but you can still go through the healing process of forgiveness. Genuinely forgiving that person for the wrong(s) that he did to you.
When you forgive your abuser, he/she no longer has control over you. At the moment you make the decision to forgive your abuser, you are free. It’s not your fault what happened to you. You didn’t give him or her your permission to hurt you. Forgiving yourself for your shame or the wrong you done to another person is perhaps the hardest thing you’ll ever do for yourself.
Our beliefs about ourselves no matter how untrue, are anchored in our shame. It takes a strong person to let go, to cut the chain that holds you. You, in effect, have to give up. You have to choose to live a better life. As long as you live and breathe with your shame, you will live it.
It takes small steps to reach that place of self-awareness to find that peace and serenity within yourself. When healing takes hold, you will cry tears of joy and celebration for life. You will begin a new life without shame. You will be able to love again. You will be able to embrace your aipaq with genuine love and appreciation, and gratefulness too. Your assaultive behavior will not grow again. You have killed its roots and it’s unable to thrive and reproduce and occur ever again.
Lip service is easy, it’s like cutting the fruit off the tree limb. You know the fruit will come back again, just like your assaultive behavior will unless you deal with it once and for all. Until we deal with the root of the problem, we will always grow resentments, anger, bitterness and unforgiveness within ourselves.
Once we come to terms with our abusers, and our beliefs are true or false, we will never be totally happy. Each one of us has their cross to bear. Each one of us has the opportunity to heal.