Books about the arctic, Alaska Natives, Inuit or other circumpolar people
I've always wanted to learn about people and cultures so I had read some books before I ever came to live in Alaska. The first book I read that was set in the arctic was "The Endless Steppe" which is the true story of a family that was exiled to Siberia. I was only ten when I read the book but it made a big impression on me. Most of my growing up years were in tropical or sub tropical climates so it was hard for me to imagine having to live in such a cold climate. Of course there's nothing like actually living in the arctic to help you understand what life is like here. I could not understand the way the sun didn't set or didn't rise until I experienced it. I could not imagine what it was like to see the northern lights till I saw them. I had never been on a four wheeler or snow machine till I moved to Alaska. I hadn't imagined traveling down a frozen river like you would a road. I feel very blessed to have been able to live in the arctic and learn from first hand experience. I'm still very curious about what life was like for people here years ago, both before and shortly after outsiders arrived. It might have something to do with my last name "Justice," and I'm sure it also has to do with everything I saw while growing up in third world countries, but I have a deep need to understand and help with issues of those that have suffered injustices. I feel deeply for the injustices that native peoples have experienced and continue to experience around the world. My hope is that everything I learn will help me to better serve and help.
I definitely need to re-read this one. I read it 40 years ago and I still remember how much it impacted me.
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This is one of my favorite books. I love the way Edna describes her mother's life before any contact with white people. I love all the details of daily life that she includes and I love the descriptions of loving family relationships.
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This is the sequel to "Once Upon an Eskimo Time" and I loved it just as much as the first story. There were several parts in the story that brought me to tears. If you know me, you'll know that, that's one way I gauge how good a book is. If it can make me cry it did it's job!
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I loved this book, but it was made all the more special to me, knowing that the stories, albeit told in novel form, had actually happened to people I know here in Barrow. I thought I was well versed in the injustices heaped on the Iñupiaq and other Alaska natives however I found new things to be shocked by when I read this book.
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I loved the way the present and past were interwoven in this book. I loved the use of village English which made it feel so authentic.
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This was an amazing true story about an incredibly strong woman. I've been meaning to re-read it for several years now.
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This book was written a long, long time ago and it has some language that is hard to swallow. Things like calling native people uncivilized and such. Still, I was glad to have read it so that I could learn about one of the first Christians here. The fact that I've taught his great grandchildren and gotten to know his son made it extra special to have read it.
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I think everyone that lives in Utqiaġvik should read this book! Imagine my surprise when I found out that this is my sister's chiropractor's favorite book! I went to see him while visiting my sister in Texas and you would have thought I was a celebrity when he found out that I lived in Utqiaġvik. He went and got his copy of this book to show me, and told me he gives copies to his friends so they can appreciate it. I'm still shaking my head in amazement! If you want to be taken back in history and see what life was like when the whalers were here this is an excellent read!
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This is another great one for seeing what Utqiaġvik was like nearly 100 years ago. So many little precious details!
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I read this book before coming to Alaska. I really liked it and felt that it prepared me for some of the things I would experience once I moved here. I was especially intrigued by the story of Maniilaq as this was the first place I heard his story.
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This book is information about Maniilaq that was compiled from an elders conference in Kotzebue. I find the whole story of Maniilaq fascinating. I love the thought of God speaking to him to help prepare the people for the white people that were coming and all of the changes that would come about.
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I love this book! There are so many cultural and even linguistic treasures in it! I feel like I have a clearer picture of what life was like for the Inuit over fifty years ago. Jean included Inuit words throughout and I love comparing the Inuit words to the Iñupiaq ones. I love knowing seeing how children were raised and hearing so many small details about their lives.
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It's been many, many years since I read this book and I want to re-read it now that I've lived in the arctic. I remember being very moved by it.
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This is the coolest book ever! If you want to know more about the technology that helped the Inuit survive the arctic this is the book for you. It will deepen your respect for their endurance and ingenuity.
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This is a children's book with beautiful illustrations, but a must read to understand what it was like for Inuit and Iñupiaq children that left home to go to school. I think it's important for educators to understand this part of history in order to understand some of the issues that people have with outsiders educating their children.
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The sequel to Fatty Legs and again a true story that helps us understand what the children who spent time at boarding schools felt.
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