DAY 37: ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER

WE'RE STAYING FOUR NIGHTS WHILE EXPLORING THE ANCHORAGE AREA

WE SPENT THE AFTERNOON AND IT WAS BOTH ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL

NATIVE DANCERS

THIS YUPIK NATIVE'S VILLAGE DEPENDS WHALES FOR FOOD AND HE SAID THEY ONLY  HUNT
POLAR BEARS WHEN WHALES ARE SCARCE.  WHEN HE WAS FOUR YEARS OLD HE WAS PUT
OUTSIDE AND USED AS A POLAR BEAR  LURE.   ARMED WITH ONLY A LANCE  HE WAS ABLE
 KILL A POLAR BEAR WHEN IT TRIED TO EAT HIM  

SKELETON OF A YOUNG GRAY WHALE WAS 45 FEET LONG, WHILE ADULTS AVERAGE 70 FEET

WHALE BONES LIKE THESE ARE USED AS LANDMARKS TO GUIDE NATIVE
HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN HOME ALONG ALASKA'S FLAT COASTLINE

THIS ALUQIIQ WOMAN MADE THE NECKLACE AND EARRINGS I PURCHASED FOR NANCY
HER SON'S FACE IS PAINTED BECAUSE HE ALSO  PERFORMED AS A NATIVE DANCER

NEAR THE EAGLE RIVER CHUGACH STATE PARK

RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH THE PARK