An Update from Rural Alaska – And You Can Take That to the Snow Bank!
For those who have been waiting, here is the latest update from our wonderful Mudflatter Ann Strongheart, who has been coordinating the food distribution effort in Nunam Iqua. Mudflatters have been sending flat rate boxes, stuffed with food and supplies to help Ann’s small rural Alaskan village that has been struggling so much this winter.
Today’s update even comes with a moral to the story: When visiting rural Alaska in the dead of winter, always wear snow gear.
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Wow, what a busy couple of days!! We had a blizzard here and got a massive amount of snow. Of course, this meant that while we were having white out conditions, no planes came in, thus no mail. Then after the blizzard everything picked up. Hmm, what happened to the CALM after the storm??
First off, my hubby and I went up to Emmonak to get groceries . While I was shopping at the Store, my uncle came over to say HI and practically dragged me over to meet Gov. Palin’s new Rural Advisor, Jon Moller. As the three of us talked a bit, Mr. Moller told me that he was planning to come to Nunam Iqua the next day.
Well, Mr. Moller had already been weathered in at Emmonak for two days and was running behind schedule so he hadn’t been to Kotlik or Alakanuk yet, either. I believe that he made it to Kotlik that day (Thursday), and then went to Alakanuk.
We expected him in Nunam Iqua on Friday, but weather kicked up again and he didn’t make it here. I was told that he was going to try again today. When I called the airlines to find out what time to expect him, they put him on the phone. He said that he was going to Bethel instead, and would return to Nunam Iqua next week.
My guess would be that he got the weather report and heard that the YK Delta was going under a BLIZZARD WARNING, and decided to get the heck out of the Delta before it hit. I gave him my phone number so he could contact me next week and let me know when he was coming in. He said the five days already spent on the Yukon just wasn’t enough time, and realized that he needed to return. He wants to stay longer and investigate all the issues so that he can better understand the complexity of the situation.
So the RA didn’t make it here, but I did get to meet him and I am trying to be hopeful that something (good?) might happen.
Although Mr. Moller did NOT make it here, someone else DID!! Robin Stilwell, Director of Advocacy for the Food Bank of Alaska made it in on Friday morning. Thanks to my uncle in Emmonak, when the receiving airline agent asked where she was going, Ms. Stilwell told him that she needed to speak to Ann Strongheart. So the airline agent brought her right to MY house.
And here I was, the EPITOME of the pajama clad anonymous blogger!! (Or should I say, ICON?) Had been up for an hour or so but I had been online catching up on emails and blogs, so I hadn’t taken the time to get dressed yet. So here a snowmachine pulls up in front of my house, drops her off, and I run out to the door trying to figure out who in the world this person is. She introduced herself – I am horrified, and start mumbling apologies about not even being dressed yet. I invited her to come in, explaining to her that I would get dressed quickly and take her where she needed to go. She declined, and asked me to just point her in the right direction for the meeting place. So, stupidly on my part (because I just wasn’t thinking bein’ in my jammies and all), I show her which building is the Tribal Office and send her on her way. La La La La La.
Thinking to myself, cool – I don’t have to worry she’s in good hands now, I’ll go have another cup of coffee and wander over in a bit. Hmm better call the Tribal Office and let them know she’s coming…NO Answer! Ut oh! About this time my hubby tells me that she’s still crossing the lake and is sinking in to her knees in the snow. OOOH god, I start to panic!! I yell at the hubby to start the snowmachine pronto. Then I was Super Woman changing into my winter gear at (what seemed like) the speed of light.
I throw on my “slip ons” and out the door I bolt. Of course the snow machine isn’t warmed up yet, and I say some “things” under my breath as I see this woman sinking up well past her knees in snow by now. Finally, the “things” helped convince the snowmachine that it was ready to go, and I raced across the lake. I pull up beside her, and this is when I realize that she doesn’t have any snow pants on, only jeans!! OOOH gosh, she’s getting soaking wet. Who in their right mind travels to a bush village in the dead of winter without winter gear? I have to wait a few minutes so that she can catch her breath, so I stepped off the snowmachine and I sank in up to my knees – so now I am just so happy that I slammed my feet into my slip on shoes and not my BOOTS!
During this time I realize that her backpack must weigh 30-40 pounds, so the pack wasn’t helping her to “float” on the snow one little bit. Later on my hubby tells me that when he first looked out the window then notified me of her distress – he forgot to mention that NOT ONLY was she sinking up to her knees – BUT ALSO that she had put her backpack in front of her and was pushing it like a sled.
Now y’all know what they say about first impressions, and here I give out the impression of a lazy, pajama clad woman! She would only know my true power had she been reading here at Mudflats or like minded sites. I am somewhat convinced that when I finally got her into the community hall and introduced her to the tribal administrator – she forgot about her trek across Swan Lake. Or at least I hope so. Although, I do recall her making comments later on when I we went to the school – hmmm… mumbling something about how many calories she had burned trekking to the building, and something about how she should’ve just waited to travel with Mr. Moller and my uncle to Nunam Iqua.
But you know what they say… you learn something new, everyday! I think her lesson that day might have been that when traveling in the winter, WEAR WARM GEAR. My lesson that day was restrain myself from shooting my uncle for telling her to find ME! LMAO, ok just kidding!!!
The Tribal Administrator and I met with Robin. She told us that there would be food coming in. I don’t recall her mentioning a time frame so we don’t know when it will arrive. But, she also said that the Food Bank of Alaska would be sending 3-4,000 lbs of food to Nunam Iqua. Additionally, she is going to assist us in setting up a permanent (yes, I mean PERMANENT) Food Bank here. YES!!!
OK, what else has been going on? Hmmm why I am sore today?? OOOH YEAH!!! We received and distributed 313 (yes THREE HUNDRED and THIRTEEN) pounds of food. So here’s where the 22 boxes came from…
1 box from Boyes Hot Springs, California
3 boxes from River Junction, Michigan
1 box from Lexington Park, Maryland
1 box from Unalaska, Alaska
4 boxes from Skagway, Alaska
2 boxes from Soldotna, Alaska (loved the writing on the outside ie: Democrats care about you! Etc.)
3 boxes from the Finance Department of Unalaska, Alaska
3 boxes from Portland, Oregon
1 box from Kansas City, Missouri
2 boxes from Victorville, California
and one of the best of all…
1 box of reusable Trader Joes canvas/plastic bags from Tacoma, WA
Quyana Cakneq DB!!!!! We used them and labeled them and told the families to save them and that I would come by and pick them up and refill them in the future when more food came in!
Quyana Cakneq!!! Everyone for sending food!!!
Like I said we received 313 lbs and I distributed food to 25 families last night. Unfortunately, most of my volunteers went upriver to Alakanuk for their potlatch so it took about 4 and a half hours to get it all sorted, labeled, packed and delivered. But I absolutely loved the totes, it made carrying it soooo much easier!! Especially since we had snow MOUNTAINS to contend with when we delivered the food!! But I did remember my boots that time!
So the last few days have been quite busy here in Nunam Iqua. ROFL I am still giggling at the Food Bank Lady, maybe I’ll call her the Snow Bank Lady?? Hubby, CC and I were sitting at the table/high chair eating dinner tonight and I was working on this update. That’s when hubby told me about the SNOW, I mean FOOD Bank lady pushing her back pack in front of her like a snow boat!
Hubby starts giggling so hard he can’t speak. Then I started laughing. Hubby is nearly choking on his food and has tears running down his face. CC then starts in laughing, too! It took us about 10 minutes to calm back down enough to eat dinner, but we couldn’t look at each other or we would go back into fits of giggles!! Darn, where’s the video camera when you need it? I could have recorded the Snow Bank, I mean Food Bank lady’s plight and created a new website to go with it, Funniest Bush Videos!
Well, I think that’s about it for this update. I need to put some more time in on my next story I am calling: Yup’ik Cuisine. So again, Quyana all you pajama clad mudpuppies and anonymous bloggers, for all of your help! I hope y’all don’t have any unexpected company whilst you are in your PJ’s reading this!
Ann Strongheart carries one of the first boxes to arrive in Nunam Iqua (photo by Beth Skabar/The Tundra Drums)
Thanks, AKM, I was waiting all day to hear from Ann. And Thanks Ann you are becoming a great writer and a marvelous blogger.
i love the colorful storytelling of ann.
it brings smiles.
I am revived – thank you AKM and Ann S! Whew – good thing I didn’t break the monitor with my shoe earlier. What a breath of fresh air (the snorting felt pretty good, too)!
When I read this, I thought of the old Keystone Kops’ movies…I can imagine everyone stuck in the snow:-) A nice follow-up from the previous post…
That is soo funny Ann —
Excellent news on the Food Bank – to be christened at a later date
“Snow Bank”
Ann Strongheart, wearing your pjs – YOU DID US PROUD girl!!!! Great story, and the news of a PERMANENT foodbank there is fantastic. I’m in tears now, not only just laughter.
Ann ~ On Sundays, i allow myself the luxury of three cups of coffee (one cup on other days). Wow, do i look forward to Sundays ~ yes! Thank you for making me realize i can get by on a lot less than i thought, and for warming world-wide hearts.
AKM ~ Today, i shamed my fellow Tennesseans (and yes, i called them jackasses). There was a flurry of posts against a State Rep who was speaking out against the four Tennessee legislators (i use the word loosely) stirring up more crap about POs birth certificate. You gave me the strength to stand up to all of them. Thank you so much!
Mary in Tennessee ~ Are you still around? Lemme know. We’ve got work to do, girl!
Great truth-story telling. Thanks Ann, thanks AKM. When I first came to this site I was looking for some Native Alaskan imput–it’s wonderful and I appreciate the insight.
‘Mudfats–no cowards here!’ It is difficult to discuss racism because most times we are all stuck with (by choice or simply because it is) Eurocentric world-views about nonwhite indigenous people anywhere. Acceptable words to intelligently participate in much needed discussions are sometimes difficult to utter.
Hateful words seem to be easier to spew when fear and defensiveness is used to create an ‘out’ for the speakers.
In the last thread, there were thoughtful comments defining racism. I will go back and look for them to re-post here.
Here is an example of how Eurocentric language fails us: Can someone please define ‘minority majority’ in way that does not define ‘minority’ as simply indicative of numbers of a group.
South Side Chicago
Oops, here’s the jack*ss link for Mary (and anyone else who likes to read about barnyard animal behavior ~ my apologies to the barnyard animals):
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090221/OPINION03/902210312&s=d&page=1
Ann, that was a great way to start the day for me. Laughing my A$$ off at your blog post. Thank you for that.
Now I have to go to the next blog post that I fear will not have me laughing.
Anyway, thanks from the other side of the world.
Thank you Ann and AKM for keeping us updated, entertained and connected to the REAL Alaska. Love and warmth from Anchorage, the big village.
The Point at Which an Alaska Native Blogger Loses It.
2-22-08
@Lee323 (15:51:28) No question about it…..Palin is the quintessential ethnocentric ignorant racist.
@wired differently (16:06:01)– I agree with you. This is the definition of racism. It’s not about name calling, it’s about operating in the world with a blind ethnocentrism.
Is it ‘racism’ because the political system allows and/or subtlety encourages one group to legally (with loopholes) prevent other groups from attaining parity within the system?
Is it ‘racism’ when the least powerful group demands that the playing field be leveled?
Thanks Mudflatters for helping me out here…
South Side Chicago
Ann – I just re-read your post and I am so excited about the boxes and where they are coming from! Michigan, Maryland, Missouri, California, Oregon, Washington, and from all over Alaska (love the Finance Dept boxes from Unalaska and the Soldotna Dems).
This is just so much fun to imagine these little boxes winding their way across the country, stuffed as full as possible and yet overflowing with generosity and kindness.
Dang it, no edit button when you need it.
Hm, I always leave the last post in the last post.
That is great, I see Michigan huh? It is good to hear the Rural advisor is trying to make it there.
The Point at Which an Alaska Native Blogger Loses It.
2-22-08
@Lee323 (15:51:28) No question about it…..Palin is the quintessential ethnocentric ignorant racist.
@wired differently (16:06:01)– I agree with you. This is the definition of racism. It’s not about name calling, it’s about operating in the world with a blind ethnocentrism.
Is it ‘racism’ because the political system allows and/or subtlety encourages one group to legally (with loopholes) prevent other groups from attaining parity within the system?
Is it ‘racism’ when the least powerful group demands that the playing field be leveled?
Thanks Mudflatters for
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I believe Writing Raven didnt want to use the term, because oftentimes it is mis-used. Just trying to be careful.
What I dont like about Sarah claiming todd is native, if you look at the post i left in the last thread you will understand I also put information about the complexity of Alaska natives. To be considered native you have to be 1/4. Not 1/8.
I believe it is an insult, when people claim it, who arent. She is very condescending in explaining that her husband can do it, which is why writing raven was probably not wanting to say it, or she didnt see it that way. i cant really speak for her.
As for the food drives, how long will they last? I still email quite a few people who have sent things, I dont know how long to keep informing them.
Dowl (22:07:22) re: “minority majority”
I have never heard the term “minority majority’ in the anthropological or sociological sense. Perhaps it refers to a population that has various minorities with one group more numerous or dominant than the others. Each branch of the social sciences enjoys creating their own jargon….perhaps to describe a concept for which there is not yet a word…..or, I suspect, to sometimes just give validation to a concept that could just as easily be described with “ordinary language” but doesn’t sound intellectual or clinical enough.
A great book to read is the Pulitzer-prize winning book, “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond. His theory of the ascendancy of certain races through time, in a nutshell, is based on opportunity of and access to resources, as well as exposure to various factors, environmental and man-made. Over-arching in his theory are the geographic factors which promoted the afore-mentioned benefits and disadvantages.
Anyhow….guns, germs, and steel were certainly some of these critical factors which configured the world populations of relatively remote and recent history…..but things have changed (as they always do). In Alaska, the critical factors are geography (remoteness of Native villages) and power of centralized, urban government making choices concerning historic native subsistence grounds. The “guns, germs, and steel” have become “oil, gas, mining, missionaries, corporate fishing etc. backed by centralized governmental power.”
If the struggle for power and resources is always more important than preserving unique aspects of our human heritage……eventually there will be no minority, or minority majority, or majority because all uniqueness will be lost…..except for in anthropological studies.
BTW….loved the update from Rural Alaska, Ann! You’re an entertaining writer.
Yes, Tina, I am still here, honey! And first, Congratulations to Ann S for her reality inspired writing. I feel as if I am there with her celebrating all the generosity of our true American compassionate brothers and sisters who continue the charge from our President to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of their neighbors, even if they are way up there!
To explain my activist rantings, I have been a very liberal hell-raiser since birth, (way back in the day!). Here in TN we had formed a group, Volunteers for Obama and I have the pleasure of working beside over 700 of my ‘closest friends’ insure his election…We could not overcome the ignorance in East TN, but we helped NC, VA, and FL go BLUE. And some of us accepted his challenge to continue Barack’s call to do more to help our Country. Yesterday we sponsored a Forum and invited ‘specialists’ to talk to voters on a variety of vital issues in our community. Also, two of us have taken on a project to sponsor an Art Exhibit and Silent Auction to benefit the activists who struggle daily to assist the victims of our very own “EXXON Valdez”, the toxic coal ash spill near us here in Knoxville. Actually this mess has been estimated to be 30 times worse than your oil spill up there…and so far, we have received the same reactions from the FEDS, State Government and of course TVA in that NO ONE have really volunteered to pay for the clean up. And so it goes. Personally I will continue my ranting and exposing the truth as I see it. And we have dedicated this special project, Kim and I, to our new President…
Thanks for asking, Tina…if you are ever in Knoxville, let’s do lunch! And stay Strong, Alaskans! You inspire me every day…
It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
Samuel Adams
Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).
Ayn Rand
Never be afraid to stand with the minority when the minority is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority.
William Jennings Bryan
In politics, an organized minority is a political majority.
Jesse Jackson
In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.
Edmund Burke
If you’re black in this country, if you’re a woman in this country, if you are any minority in this country at all, what could possibly possess you to vote Republican?
Cher
What we call a democratic society might be defined for certain purposes as one in which the majority is always prepared to put down a revolutionary minority.
Walter Lippmann
Your political system is actually too democratic. The fact that Americans vote on every bill and proposition can prolong bigotry indefinitely, especially where it is aimed at minority groups.
George Michael
I really have admired every one of your words but I think you could have been a tad easier on the Food Bank Lady. You really should consider staying on her good side, don’t you think? Perhaps sending her off unprepared and then making fun of her is not the best way to go about getting her wholehearted support.
Jes sayin’
Hey Mary in Tn. Call MaryLinda and Arnold -maybe the can help the Art Show and Silent Auction!Will Rick B. help?
I believe the term “majority minority” refers to a situation where a group traditionally in the minority is in a particular area the majority group. Or where a group of minorities actually constitute the majority.
I’m afraid the term is often used as racist code to stir up fears of “whites” becoming a minority in their “own” country. Sick.
Thank you AKM for giving us all a sane place to meet and discuss various issues. And, also a big THANK YOU to Ann for her delightful word pictures of life in the village. Your latest post had me laughing out loud and I usually am not laughing this early in the morning.
JUST SAW THIS ON TV, Northwest restaurants helping Alaska villages–go to NWCN.com
Minority majority here and majority minority have more to do with alliances in the Legislature.
Ann made me laugh so hard last night.
Dressing for Bush travel is ingrained for locals, we had to dress to the nines (in winter gear) just to take a puddle-jumper plane to one of the nearby villages for basetball matches that was only as little as 20 minutes away – just in case we crashed and had to keep ourselves warm until help arrived.
My sympathies for Food Bank lady Robin Stilwell, Ann wasn’t making a joke out of you, she felt terrible sending you off that way.
Next time you head out to the Bush, ask your friends how you should dress and get an escort ahead of time. Thanks for coming out. And thank you so much for planning a Food Bank for Nunam Iqua itself!
Question: Is anyone helping Ann with the cost of fuel for snowmobile to deliver these goods?
mmbouche Florida- Good thought that Ann is having to buy fuel.
Ann- Great story about FB Lady, but I read all your stories of gliding-struggling through snow with an instictive surge of anxiety for all of you. For all people reading from south of the snow-line- this is terrible beauty. We lost a cherished son-in-law to a blizzard in Alberta about twelve years ago. City guy, got stuck alone on a side-road and tried to hike out, it took a week and a large ground search I and his wife walked in to find him.
Robin Stilwell- thanks for trying hard.
Mr. Moller- now I’m watching you to see if you really do come to Nunam Iqua.
And even if Iron Dog burns fuel like crazy, good on the people who build and improve snow machines!
Second post- I seem to have lost the first.
mmboucher- good thought about Ann’s fuel costs.
Iron Dog may burn fuel but hey, power to the people who build and develop snowmachines.
Ann- I read your stories of gliding/struggling in snow with a surge of anxiety. For people who live south of the snow world, remember that is such terrible beauty. We lost a cherished son-in-law to a blizard about 12 years ago. He was a city man, got his car stuck on a rural road and tried to walk out. It took a week and finally a large ground search which my daughter and I walked in to find him.
Robin Stilwell- you are a brave woman. You didn’t wait for an entourage. You’ll have better clothes next time. Local food banks will be great!
Mr. Moller, I’m watching to see when you come to Nunam Iqua.
Lets hear it for pyjama bloggers morphing into Superwoman or Superman when the BlogSignal goes out!
@ Bill Longenecker
I had to chuckle when I saw your comment. Ann S is VERY much on the Food Bank lady’s good side and more! I can only imagine the amazement of Robin when she got to know Ann after getting rescued by her on a snowmachine. The organization, the documentation, the hard work, and all of the communication coming out of Ann S’s neck of the tundra is no less than a small miracle, and Robin knows it. Robin turned out to be a very kind person, and has plans to hand over the reigns of some other possible projects to Ann as well.
Have you had that feeling where something is so embarrassing, all you can do is laugh? What would anyone do if an official showed up at their house, entirely unannounced and unprepared for the climate? First, be embarrassed and surprised. Next, get down to business. Third, laugh your butt off because the whole situation was just plain funny looking back on everything that happened.
On a little more of a serious note, it’s really about preparedness whenever you travel outside of urban areas in Alaska. There is nothing more remote than the bush, unless maybe the heart of the Brooks Range. Just because a plane can get you there, doesn’t mean they can get back to pick you up. As a seasoned backpacker / camper, I put myself in some seriously dumb situations when I first moved here 30 years ago. Like many others, I’m lucky to be here to tell about it!
One of the unspoken rules here (and should be spoken more often!) is that you dress for the worst weather that you may encounter – always. The weather can change in an instant – so that really means that you should have layers that will keep you safe in the most extreme temps offered by your destination, and can be removed when friendlier (for the moment) weather greets you instead. There is little light in the winter months which adds yet another level of possible danger.
I think this is Ann’s way of enjoying the outcome of a wonderful and silly event, which has implications of being a long term project to help in the overall solutions needed for Nunam Iqua and other villages. Robin was actually lucky that Ann didn’t chide her for her dress, but instead welcomed her with a rescue!
And bless the BOTH of them for their great Alaskan spirits!
Bill Longenecker,
Thanks for your input, I did take that into serious consideration when I was writing this update. Yesterday evening when I was talking on the phone with the RA Jon Moller, I asked him if had had a chance to talk to her before she left the Delta and related the story to him. He told me that I didn’t need to worry, that he had put her through much worse when they were in Emmonak.
mmboucher Florida,
Don’t worry about the gas, hubby and I are more than happy to pay for gas out of own pockets.
@ Bill Longenecker
I had to chuckle when I saw your comment. Ann S is VERY much on the Food Bank lady’s good side and more! I can only imagine the amazement of Robin when she got to know Ann after getting rescued by her on a snowmachine. The organization, the documentation, the hard work, and all of the communication coming out of Ann S’s neck of the tundra is no less than a small miracle, and Robin knows it. Robin turned out to be a very kind person, and has plans to hand over the reigns of some other possible projects to Ann as well.
Have you had that feeling where something is so embarrassing, all you can do is laugh? What would anyone do if an official showed up at their house, entirely unannounced and unprepared for the climate? First, be embarrassed and surprised. Next, get down to business. Third, laugh your butt off because the whole situation was just plain funny looking back on everything that happened.
On a little more of a serious note, it’s really about preparedness whenever you travel outside of urban areas in Alaska. There is nothing more remote than the bush, unless maybe the heart of the Brooks Range. Just because a plane can get you there, doesn’t mean they can get back to pick you up. As a seasoned backpacker / camper, I put myself in some seriously dumb situations when I first moved here 30 years ago. Like many others, I’m lucky to be here to tell about it!
One of the unspoken rules here (and should be spoken more often!) is that you dress for the worst weather that you may encounter – always. The weather can change in an instant – so that really means that you should have layers that will keep you safe in the most extreme temps offered by your destination, and can be removed when friendlier (for the moment) weather greets you instead. There is little light in the winter months which adds yet another level of possible danger.
I think this is Ann’s way of enjoying the outcome of a wonderful and silly event, which has implications of being a long term project to help in the overall solutions needed for Nunam Iqua and other villages. Robin was actually lucky that Ann didn’t chide her for her dress, but instead welcomed her with a rescue!
And bless the BOTH of them for their great Alaskan spirits!
Bill LongeneckerNo Gravatar (04:06:06) :
I really have admired every one of your words but I think you could have been a tad easier on the Food Bank Lady. You really should consider staying on her good side, don’t you think? Perhaps sending her off unprepared and then making fun of her is not the best way to go about getting her wholehearted support.
Jes sayin’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know Ann S. just addressed this, but I think the “funnyness” of the situation was a “citified” person totally unprepared for the bush…kind of like GINO showing up in F-me boots….BTW does anyone know if she was indeed wearing them??? That would just take the cake now wouldn’t it???
It just shows how totally out of touch they are in knowledge of the Villages and what people have to go through to walk across town or get food etc.
IT is WORK to survive there.
I have to be honest and say I feel sorry for the Food Bank lady. She went out there to help and could have used some help in return.
@ Terry
If you didn’t laugh or snort or chuckle, then I think there may have been an expectation that you have about how to accept help. Really, it’s OK to have humor when help is being offered, no matter what the source! We enjoy Ann’s stories because there is ALWAYS something to laugh about, and it helps to alleviate the pressure (for all of us) of a very serious situation that many many of us care about in the long term as well as the short term. I can picture Ann jumping up and down in the snow from excitement after the Food Bank lady left, saying YES YES YES! She in no way undermined the generous spirit of giving from the Food Bank, but enhanced it with her humor and her own generosity.
There is nothing “official” about Ann’s efforts as the Food Drive coordinator. She set this up all by herself and has poured her heart and soul into helping her village. Village politics are more complicated than you might think – there are City administrators and Tribal Councils. Ann chose her route of spreading the word far and wide because it was the only way to get immediate attention and help. She deserves to laugh as much as she wants, and has earned the respect of (thousands?) by now for her work, and her stories.
Alaska can be a very intense place to live, for many reasons. Humor is essential.
Thanks y’all for defining ‘majority minority’ for me.
Eric Holder emphasized the need to find the language to address ‘sticky issues’ in ethnically diverse discussions. Does the word ‘ethnicism’ work? OR does ‘classicism’ = classically to describe issues of socioeconomic status?
@Lee323 (00:35:32) I did not read the book, but I did see the ‘Guns, Germs, and Steel’ PBS documentary by that name.
South Side Chicago
People are criticising Ann S. for having a good laugh at the snow – oops! FOOD bank lady:
HEY! IF YOU CAN’T LAUGH AT YOURSELF AND OTHERS, LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING! Life – especially up and out in the bush, is hard enough as it is, so any type of merriment is a very welcome distraction. Besides, Ann DID go out after the Snow – oops! FOOD bank lady and helped save her with her snowmobile!
Re: laughing at the Food Bank lady
I live outside of Alaska and do actually work with rural villages in Alaska (fly up several times a year). I’m not an expert but the last almost ten years have allowed me to make some observations. Yes, you do have to keep your sense of humor in the rural villages, as you do most anywhere. A big old storm can keep you in a village days longer than anticipated (or keep you out of one). There are levels of survival there that most other places don’t have or can’t understand.
There is also a sort of introversion common in the villages, in my experience. People think they are very generous and in their way, they are. But compared to other rural areas I’ve worked in, it’s different. In an Alaska village, if I get snowed in, I’m often on my own. I have a place on the floor of the village hall to throw down my sleeping bag (and often pay to do that). People will express sorrow that I’m stuck, then often head off about their own business. In other parts of the country (or in a few other countries) when I’ve been stuck, folks invite me home with them to watch tv (if they have it) or to talk. I always pack food in case I’m stuck and wouldn’t go to someone’s house unless I can share something of substance or that is unusual.
People in the Alaska villages are far and away so nice, but just tend to be introverted. I can’t think of another way to put it.
I have a feeling I’m about to get blasted for saying that. Mom used to say that my shoulders are as wide as my backside, so I can take it.
Terry,
Don’t beat yourself up about your comment. Village life is very different and I think you hit the nail on the head with your observations. Different does not mean “bad” it just means different. Different cultures exhibit subtle societal memes that those raised outside of that culture do not understand. Every culture has a “feel” to it that is based on climate, relative isolation, and many other factors. You are not the first person to express this view regarding Alaska native culture. Given the history of “outsiders” coming in a taking advantage of them it is somewhat understandable that they may be a bit “standoffish” when meeting people from outside of the tightly woven community.
Let’s hope the Food Bank Lady is a really good sport about having this story broad cast on the world wide web. She probably is a very generous soul to begin with, judging by her choice of job, so I bet she will remain so even after seeing the comments.
@ Terry
I’m glad you brought that up about the quietness of native residents because I wasn’t going to. But that is it exactly why it’s so funny, and Robin was probably completely surprised by the extroverted, do it right now, energetic and effervescent Ann!
I’m thinking that the Food Bank lady would have a good laugh at the situation, too. Most people with good senses of humor can laugh at themselves. I’m a bit confused as to why she didn’t have the proper gear with her as well. Heck, I even keep lined Carharts, extra coat, mittens, hat, etc in the truck with me up here at all times in case I’m not dressed for the weather and end up in a ditch. If I was flying to the bush, I’d probably bring my snowshoes and all my gear with me and let folks have a laugh at me for being *too* prepared.
That said, I think the Food Bank lady showed some heart slogging through the snow rather than turning back around. And while Ann and her husband had a good chuckle, it’s not like they didn’t go out and give her a hand when they saw what was up.
Well- I get lost everytime I go to a city. If not for the kindness of many I’m not sure what would have become of me … many times.
I’m also sure there are folks who still howl when they tell stories of helping a lost hick… fine by me. Swapped stories , met new people, and got where I was going eventually and safely.
I’m glad the Food Bank is going to have a presence out your way Ann- I hope you don’t get caught in your jammies next time Ms Stillwell comes out…
A story about being laughed at. Years ago, when I first visited New Orleans, I went in a deli that sold mufalattas, a huge and very tasty sandwich. The man behind the counter asked if I wanted the deluxe mufalatta, which contained mortadella (sort of a fancy Italian baloney, in a way). Well, when I was a kid, an elderly lady had told me mortadella was made with donkey meat and I had believed her for some reason. I told the nice deli man, no thank you but I didn’t want to eat donkey. He laughed and laughed and laughed, then told me it was pork. I laughed at myself, too. Flash forward ten years. I walk in the deli and order a deluxe mufalatta. The same deli man was working and he paused in the middle of making the sandwich and said he had to tell me about this crazy lady who came in the store years before. He proceeded to tell me a story (greatly augmented) about myself and the whole mortadella donkey meat thing. He was laughing so hard as he told it. I waited until he was done and said “Sir, that was ME”. He kept apologizing to me as we both had a good laugh. He apparently had been telling that story about me for a good decade, never imagining that he’d run into me again.
@ Terry
That is a GREAT little story! I won’t share my “dead margarita” story from Mexico here, but may find a place to slip it in later. We HAVE to laugh, esp. when things are the grimmest.