Life in Akiak

In a few weeks, I will be leaving Akiak and coming back to an urban area. And I will be asked the question, "What was it like living in a village?"

And it's kind of a hard question to answer. In many ways, it's like living anywhere else. You go to work, you come home. You have chores on the weekend and responsibilities. You may even go to a friend's house for dinner or a game night. You'll have friends, you'll have drama, laughter and tears....in that way, life is life.

There's a whole list of things you won't have. A date for example. No going out to dinner. No movies. No bowling night. And if you are in a dry village: no drinking. There's a lot more I could add to the list, however that's not my intention.

Life in Akiak is very much shaped by the seasons. Who's out and about at what time. What are people doing? That's all affected by the weather. Here's what I mean:

Summer

Summer

The daylight is constant, which gives people more energy. Fish are running and the men are fishing while the women and most of the children stay at the fish camps. There are some fish camps in Akiak, but several of them are further out on the river banks. A lot of families go camping on the tundra. And when berry picking is in season, people are gone for days picking berries. I love the summer. The mosquitos are horrible, but there's a relaxed vibe in the air. Everything feels laid back and care free. People can go to Bethel easily on their boats. Most families have access to a boat.

Fall

Fall

The weather gets colder and the daylight starts to shrink. Still, children are out playing. Actually, with the exception of school starting. Fall is not really a big deal. Berries are still being picked on the tundra. The sewing circle starts up again. Most of the new teachers are still trying to figure out life in Akiak. The biggest deal about fall is the start of moose season. Wow, moose is big in Alaska. And it is rather tasty. 

Winter

The daylight is scarce. Kids will still be out playing but not so late. When the river freezes, people go ice fishing. There are dog sled races, and fiddles (a community dance). People drive to Bethel as soon as the ice road is safe. Some people ski, but no one in Akiak. The darkness didn't mess with my body as much as the extra daylight did. After my first year, I no longer "feel" what time it is. I have to rely on a clock and I have several around my house, just for that reason. It was never dark for 24 hours and so I saw the sunlight every day. It's also important to note that the snow machines come out (called snow go's).

Spring

The snows start to melt and the kids break out their bicycles. Bikes are a big deal with the kids. I was walking the other day and a boy passed me wearing his snow gear on a bike. As soon as it starts to warm up, here come the bikes. The season is particularly ugly to me, since everything becomes muddy puddles. The bigger puddles are more like ponds. At this point, the only way to Bethel is via a bush plane. There are still some snow machines out, but they have to go through puddles and stay to the side. Around this time, the kids will start worrying about a flood. A few years ago, Akiak suffered a huge flood. People had to come up and sleep at the school and the elders & women with small children were evacuated. The kids remember this and will start to talk about it. The fear is palpable. I was terrified the first year and I was prepared last year. This year, I don't think it's gonna flood. True, the river did freeze rather high, but I'm not going to worry about it. Most of my possessions should be out of Akiak anyways. There's a part of the river that bottlenecks and the ice pushes the water levels up in Akiak. Last year, there was some flooding, but no one lived in those areas. Birds return to Akiak and people go hunting and then pluck birds.

This is the path home...

4 Wheelers (ATVs) are a year round thing. I could have driven mine all year if I wanted to. This winter was pretty cold (below zero) and so I didn't want to. But my friends did. I just got a ride. 

Living in Akiak, I really felt the change of the seasons. Each season brings it's own obstacles (right now the kids are staying up too late playing and then melting down in the classroom) but there's also some good. 

Faith & I Plucking Birds

When someone asks me what living in a village/or Akiak was like....I think the only response I can give would be to say it was an adventure! Truly, life here is like nothing I have ever known. This experience has made me stronger, a little more tougher, given me greater insight into how cultures affect the classroom, tested my limits, brought me great joy, broken my heart, disgusted me, delighted me, drained me, fulfilled me, made me appreciate good friends more, brought me closer to other people, made me take a stand, introduced me to new people, made me appreciate what a good teacher is, made me cook my own meals, gave me time to read & watch movies, try new foods, allowed me to own a 4 wheeler, become more independent, showed me I can trust my gut, brought me love....and made me to get in touch with my adventurous side.

I wonder if I will seem different to people who knew me before I left California. I don't think I act any different. But I don't know. I feel different...changed for the better. Akiak was very good for me.    

   

June 2010 - I had NO idea how much my life was about to change...