Prom, Polar Bears, Craftsmen, and a Potluck

Hello friends!

The three musketeers (as I have decided to call us) had an interesting Monday.  We didn't have school!!  For one reason or another the middle school decided that today would be a good day to take off, so we had the day to enjoy.

The first plan was to visit the high school, we made it there on time...only to realize that they also did not have school but teachers had an inservice- so naturally we ran as fast as we could from that whole situation, but not before taking pictures of some of the posters in the high school.

Prom this year will be themed NEON MASQUERADE!  So, in contrast to all the white snow, ice, and tundra out there, make sure to wear bright colors.

Also, watch out for Polar Bears.  They tend to eat highschoolers wearing bright colors.  I jokes, I actually learned quite a bit from this informational poster.

We left the high school and went to the Heritage Center, a place that we were told we HAVE to go to to learn about the Inupiaq (that's i-noo-pee-ack, Mrs. Larsen says I have to write these out so you midwesterners can say them correctly in your head) culture.  As always, everyone was very friendly and welcoming.  As I walked around the museum, I noticed something I found peculiar.  All the exhibit writings were written in the plural first person (not an english major, I don't actually know if that's a real thing).  What I mean is they would describe something using the word "we" not they or a proper noun.  For example, "For at least 4,000 years we have lived along these shores, building camps on the best hunting grounds."  This is only one demonstration of the pride that the Inupiaq people have of their culture and history.  The museum was filled with artifacts and exhibits about both the historical and current traditions of the citizens of Barrow.  Here's a few pictures from the Museum:

This is a "shoulder gun" Used for whaling for the last 100+ years.  It fires a bomb- seen below it on the right, which is a crude pipe-bomb like projectile that explodes with the purpose of killing the whale quickly and humanely after it has been harpooned.

 Here is a frame of an umiaq (oo-me-ack) which sealskin would be stretched over and still is used as a boat for whaling.

This is a whale-hunting parka.  The white color acts as camoflage against the snow, ice, sky, and boat while whaling.

The back of the museum has a workshop where local artisans can work on their crafts.  We stopped by and learned all about baleen etching and knife making.  The men working there were more than happy to show us their trades and crafts.  This man, Richard Taalak, carved sheath knives and Ulus (ooo- loooo).  Ulus are women's knives, they have a handle on top and a curved blades (Katie and Jess are each holding one).  He used walrus ivory, baleen, and caribou antlers to make his knives.

We spent the afternoon planning lessons- this teacher stuff sometimes gets in the way...... Then went to the potluck at the Piuraagvik (Pee- rah- vik , means "a place to play").  Piuraagvik is the community center.  We had the opportunity to have maktak (muk-tuk) again (when I say opportunity, I mean one of our students basically forced us to take some, I can handle small amounts, especially in soy sauce, Katie and Jess have apparently had enough for their lifetime). If you're not sure what it is,  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muktuk ! Along with other traditional foods and the old staples of pizza and cookies (seriously).  The potluck was a great gathering of people from different families hanging out and giving out awards for the Piuraagiaqta (pee-rah- ee-ya-cta, you say this one faster than it seems). Notice how the beginning of Piuraagiaqta and Piuraagvik are the same, the first part means to play, the vik ending is a place and the iaqta means "let's go". So there's your lesson in Inuipiaq language for the day. You now know as much as I do.  After the awards from the events, door prizes were given out.  Overall we estimated that over $10,000 in prizes from the weekend and door prizes were given out!  

We're now ready for the week, lesson's planned and early to bed.  It's back to middle school again tomorrow!

-Peter

oh, I almost forgot: Quote of the day from Katrina: "I hate Polar Bears!  They make it so I can't run outside without being afraid of being eaten!"