Piurci, So Long

Hi Everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well. Since this is my last blog entry of the semester, I want to let all of you know that I really am grateful for meeting you at the intensive this summer and learning from you guys this semester, you all are great people!
I want to wish everyone a restful, safe, healthy holiday season. You all will do good in whatever you choose to do. Stay in touch. Piurci (Literally means, "keep on keepin' on"), So Long.

Setting net under the ice

The recent freeze up had many people traveling to specific locations to fish/trap for certain species of fish. To do this, one had to locate a river or slough and pick through the ice to set these nets and/or traps. Here my husband and our friends traveled over the Askinuk mountains to set a white fish net under the ice. The net, 31/2" in mesh was set in one of the many rivers "other side" in hopes that some or all of the three species of white fish we have would get caught and especially the most valued and scarce, lush fish.

The net is spread out on top of the frozen river to measure how far and how many large rectangular holes should be made through the ice to pull the net through. Once they are made, a long pole is used to "hook" a line that is connected to one end of the net and pulled through until it is pulled through all the holes. Large pieces of wood are made and placed on each end of the net much like crosses and those will hold the net in place. Now the net is set and it is checked about once or twice a week.

my life

Ice Fishing

This past week our river has finally allowed us to cross to the other side on snow machines and jig for smelts (hooligan) and tom cods. Many people line the banks of the Kun river pulling up fish throughout the day into the evening. The tom cods and smelts are common, but this year there is another fish that is unwelcome and annoying to its catcher. It is the "devil fish", although edible, this time of the year they are very small and unappetizing. They measure about 6 inches in length and have sharp horns that are dangerous if not careful. They are left behind for the few unfortunate seagulls to devour after the jiggers leave for the night.
This week is also thanksgiving and I want to wish all of you a very happy thanksgiving. I hope you all rest, spend time with family and friends, and get refreshed to finish off the semester. I want to thank you Skip for your patience, quick responses, and experitise in this class. I have truly learned useful lessons in technology.

Quarruuk

The Quarruuk or needle fish is trapped by the hundreds from sloughs. It is about 2 inches in length with needles all around it. It is harvested during freeze up and through out the winter. Many people eat it frozen with seal oil or boiled.It is also used as dog food by many dog owners. Some even use it as bait when fishing over the ice for tom cods and/or smelts.

troops are home!!!

On Friday our community had a welcome home celebration for the 7 young men that were deployed more than a yr. ago to Kuwait. The gathering began with eskimo dancing by our home town group and visitors from Kotlik. Half way through the young men marched in to be recognized by the community. It was a time of joy. The night continued with fiddle dancing and a potluck followed the next day with more dancing.
I remember when they were leaving the whole town was at the airport saying their farewells teary eyed. It seemed like a year would be such a long time to wait for them to come home. It's amazing how time flies, now with thanksgiving and relief the troops are all home safely. CELEBRATE!

after school tutor

Our school has just begun an after school tutoring program, which is a first and one that has been talked about and planned for for a long time, now it is a reality!
It is focusing on reading for those students who want to get the extra help and raise their reading scores, but if space is available any student up to 6th grade (I'm not too sure about the grade)that is interested can enroll. There is a limit of 30 students that can take the class which two certified teachers split between themselves for about an hour and half, two times a week. I peeked into one this past thursday and boy those students were working intensely, I was so encouraged to see the number of students attending and how hard they were working. It is a good thing happening in our school.