White Mountain Part I.. there will be others.

I arrived in the village of White Mountain, Alaska on Wednesday January 16th to report on their annual Artists in Schools Program.
I departed Nome around 3 pm on Bering Air, and arrived in White Mountain (WMO) approximately thirty minutes later. The plane ride was brief over the white mass that is Western Alaska. It was difficult to identify the beach, and where they water began and the land ended, since everything is coated with snow and ice.

I was picked up on the WMO air strip by a woman on a snowmachine, she was looking to load in the mail from the plane. So she loaded up and I hopped on to have my first snowmachine ride. Those Texas 4-wheeling trips really came in handy, hold on tight with the thighs and lean.

I told the Bering Air agent to drop me off at the school, and her response was 'which one?'
'There is more than one in a village with 150 people?' was my first thought. Then she approached a two story building that looked like a house, and told me that most people stay at the elementary school when they visit for the radio. So, I trusted her experience and gathered my things from the basket she pulled from behind and went inside.

Immediately I was approached by students, wondering who I was and where I was from. I suppose in a small village it is obvious when a new face appears. I met the teachers and was pointed in the direction of the administrator's office. I dropped my stuff, bundled back up and started the snowy walk down the hill.

The old high school burned down about two years before so the high school and school offices are in a trailer right down a snowmachine road from the elementary school house. About this time the sun seemed to be hovering above the tree line and the frozen Fish River. It seemed like it could be the early evening, but not during this time in Western Alaska, it was around 4 pm.

Walking in I was, once again, immediately welcomed and given some background on what was going on, then I was pointed on another direction. Once again I head out to the city offices building/library, where Moses Wassilie was holding his art classes.

Moses is a Yupik artists from a village near the Bethel area. He has over 20 years of teaching experience.Wassilie is not only a painter but a mask maker, ivory carver, and dabbles in photography and movies.




This is Moses with one of his masks. This one in particular was made for his mother, she passed away two years ago and he has made one every year for her.He views it as a way to keep a living memory.

The hair on the brow is wolf fur, to represent his old tribal clan.
The five wooden feathers are made out of zebra wood from Africa. They represent the digits and earth, wind, water, fire and heart.
The Cross on the front of the mask represents her spirituality.
The white on the nose is a kayak.
The earrings are a traditional style that he would make for his mother.

The community and students were learning a variety of things from Wassilie. The principal was involved with carving, some women from the community tried painting for the first time and the students in the high school made drums.

People Watching

Today: The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord

This Sunday afternoon I decided to head to the Polar Cafe after Mass, to read and get some brunch.
I forgot how entertaining and calming it is to people watch. It was a chance to get out of my bubble of KNOM. I makes me feel that for a short time I am not trapped in Nome, or confined to the walls of the station or the house. It is difficult to get out when it is -23 outside and windy. Not the easiest time to get out and exercise. You have to really be cautious and aware of your body at all times. You realize that you take warm times for granted, when you can walk without worrying about getting frostbite or coughing as soon as you walk outside because the air is so cold it hurts to breath.

I looked out the window at the Bering Sea and saw a single Christmas tree on the frozen ice awaiting companions. In Nome, people take their Christmas trees and put them on the ice to create the National Forrest. So, it was out of place to see endless snow and ice, and then a green tree, just standing straight up 100 to 150 yards out.


Current CDs and bands in my Rotation:
The Weepies CD 'Happiness'
Caedmon's Call-There is a reason
Wilco's 'AM' CD
Brandon Heath 'Don't Get Comfortable'

Today Father Sean was back from the village trips, at least til next time! The Homily today he talked about vocation, and specifically his vocation. This is something that everyone always thinks about. Lord what is your will? Something we all need to ask. His lead him to Alaska. Funny, so did mine, at least for now.

Enjoy the warmth or cold, where ever the LORD has you in your life.
You are in my prayers and Thanks for keeping up with me online!

Race Season, Work & Next Village Trip

It is about that time in Western Alaska. Time for the snowmachines to be gassed up, and the dog sleds to be taken out.

A few Sundays ago Jacob and I ventured out to the tundra to go snowshoeing, my new favorite hobby in the light. We ventured out toward the hills and I saw my first dog sled team. Over the hour and a half I was trekking around I saw three teams making runs. It is quite a sight to see something like that, talk about team work, dedication and trust.

We are preparing for race season. Snowmachine and dog sleds. I am learning about sports that I haven't ever been exposed to before. Humbling experience. Like I always say- it is a whole different world up here!

Walking downtown today to check the mail I did not even realize it was 24 degrees below zero. Your body really does accommodate to the immediate environment, as long as you are dressed appropriately and the wind isn't blowing you do not even think twice about the temperature. Amazing what the human body can do. I now look the days that reach above zero as 'warm'.

In production I am really working on various spot topics, keeps me on my toes! Since the Alaska Legislature is headed back into session, I am writing spots, with the assistance of the KNOM News Department, about what a constituent can do to get involved, and where to check on a bill's status. I am all about empowering the people! Also, in that same category, since it is an election year I am hoping to create spots that help to explain various parties, caucuses, electoral votes, what representatives do, ect. Sometimes we can get caught up in the jargon of politics and we do not even stop to think what it all really means. So, I am looking to change that problem. Knowledge is power!

I am headed to the village of White Mountain January 16th-18th, visiting the schools since they have a visiting artist giving classes to the students and community. I will be lodged in the school probably on the floor of a classroom. Now this is what I signed up for! I will give you an updated post of that experience when I return.

The local parish priest is responsible for villages outside of Nome, including Little Diomede, Kotzebue and Teller. So he has been gone for the past couple of weeks celebrating Christmas and baptizing babies. I cannot imagine only having a pastor once every two months or so. For Little Diomede, you can only get in by helicopter, since the runway is only available in the winter. The runway is constructed of ice. Welcome to Western Alaska.

Thanks as always for your prayers and support while I am in Nome. I am loving my job and you all remain in my prayers!

Stay warm!