The elders in this community have a wealth of knowledge and skills to share. I am in Kwigillingok today listening to Fredrick George speak about navigating and telling time by the stars. It was fascinating to glean the little I could from his presentation in Yupik. He told stories and talked about navigation and weather prediction too. The language teacher is going to translate his presentation for us cassuks later. Fredrick gave me a Yup’ik star chart which I will incorporate into my lessons too.
Kwigillingok is also home to some great kayak makers. There is a kayak in the Smithsonian museum that comes from here. I hope to have a chance to see this tomorrow.