Culture Camp - Day 1

Today was our first day participating in what the local village calls "Culture Camp".  It is a time they set aside every year to "re-learn" the old ways.  It exists to keep the Aleut culture alive and well in the minds of the people, but especially the children.  Many of them have very little idea about their native historical past and how their ancestors lived.  We were privileged to be invited to participate this year with them.

Today was only Day 1.  We began several projects that will be worked on throughout the next week-and-a-half.  Today we started making traditional coats/shirts, hats, drums, and went on our first Aleut Salmon fishing adventure.  I could talk all night about everything that went on today, but pictures will have to suffice  ;-)

David working on his his traditional Aleut coat/shirt (they call it Regalia).

Traditionally the garb is made of Sea Lion, Seal, and Sea Otter

(you can see a true one hanging on the chair to the left).

David and Rachelle will be making their own out of leather instead.

We also started our traditional Aleut hats.  Here Rachelle is working on her's.

Historically made of any kind of driftwood they could find,

we are making ours out of Cottonwood.

Thankfully they had enough material to allow me to make one as well!

I (Peter) have made the most progress,

primarily because I forewent the Aleut dance lessons and chose to work on my hat.

Shhhhhhhh!  Don't tell Kelly!

Next, we all headed out to probably the largest stream on the island in search of Salmon!  Well, we found plenty!  They are all Pink Salmon, affectionately called "Humpies" by the locals.  We started by simply "dip-netting".  We all took turns strategically driving the Salmon in one given direction while the children all took turns netting them.  It was so much fun to watch!

 Here's a shot of the "dip-netting" shenanigans.

There were soooooo many Salmon it was hard to miss them!

Kind of like shooting fish in a ba.....ahhh...nevermind.

 James got into it!  Here he is carrying one of our prize catches!

 Girls will be Girls!  Sometimes flowers are more fun than fishing!  ;-)

 Next, we all splashed our way downstream while the men of the village awaited with their nets.

Then, the REAL fun began!

 Here is a great shot of a professional fisherman!

We all heaved on the nets to bring the fish to shore,

and then had to grab them by hand, dispatch them and place them in awaiting baskets.

 Even Rachelle got into it!  (Nice face Rachelle!)  :-)~

We caught 'em, now we have to clean 'em.

We learned the proper way of efficiently fileting the Salmon.

We also learned the proper way to clean and prep them for drying/smoking

(which we are doing with most of the fish).

Everyone took their turn in cleaning the 122 freshly caught "Humpies".

All in all, it was a great first day!  We are all totally exhausted!  But, we came home and had an absolutely incredible dinner of pizza......  ha ha ha, not really!  We had the Salmon  ;-)  I tried out a new dry rub recipe and threw them on the BBQ.  There is nothing like FRESH ALASKAN SALMON!  Let me tell you...should you ever have the opportunity to come fishing up here...do it!  Better yet, GO NATIVE!  It was a lot of hard work (and I think you have to have an official Aleut fisherman with you), but it is all good!

We look forward to sharing the next adventure!

Get a cup of coffee, sit down, and re-live the adventure with us!

The Fox Family