The Kenaitze Indian tribe are ATHABASKAN and came from the plans of America to the Kenai peninsula . We visited the Elders lunch today on the beach at the Kenaitze fishing ground.Edward a young native American responsible for the cultural education programme had set two seine nets ready to catch early season salmon when only Kenaitze are permitted to fish the Cook inlet of Kenai at the mouth of the Kenai river.These nets are connected to a square rope system with a pulley at three corners so that an open mouthed net can be set and then retrieved from the water.
Three young children Kenaitze themselves watched and learned fishing in this manner as part of their cultural heritage .Edward then showed them how to clean and prepare the salmon ready for cooking over an open fire . In the process we had an anatomy session finding out that apart from the gills a salmons heart and lungs are found in its head .
A potlach is a native American gathering of sharing .Traditionally the best provider (hunter) became the leader because of a proven capacity to provide for his community more than any other. Today the potlach was for the elders of th tribe at the traditional fishing ground .Elders were respectfully served food first .We spoke to members of the tribe who also had English ancestors from Lancashire and Jordan's Hill.We decided that our contribution to the meal should b a homemade English trifle sprinkled with crumbled cinnamon roll.
The oldest member of the tribe was 95 years old and had been sent to boarding school at age of 8 . I shall post pictures of the potlach when we get home but the memories of easy conversation and smiles will linger for many years to come .
Stan and I are so blessed. It seems as if we have known Gilly and Keith all our lives. What fun we have been having. Our days have been filled to the brim with simple pleasures and Stan and I have enjoyed seeing "our" beloved Alaska getting discovered all over again through the eyes of our enchanting English friends. Our doggies are getting the best of the deal getting gobs of love and attention from their UK Auntie and Uncle. We have been learning much from Gilly and Keith too, most of all that they are people with the utmost respect and openness for others. They are quite smart and talented too! I am even starting to sound like Mary Poppins!!!!! We will miss them as we start off on our UK adventure, but are excited about sharing adventures when we meet up in Daventry in the coming month. What a wonderful experience this has been Tally ho, pip pip and ta ta for now (isn't that bril?!?!?!)! :)
ReplyDeleteYou and Keith are seeing so much of Alaska, that even Alaskan's don't have the opportunity or interest to see. Good for you, and pip pip and all that.
ReplyDelete