Alaska Native Heritage Center

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Our first place to explore in Alaska was the Alaska Native Heritage Center. There was a loop trail around a pond where there were examples of different tribal homes. Inside of each was someone representing the people who would have lived there and explaining there lifestyle.

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Photos

Driving to the Heritage Center
My sister asked what I was taking pics of and I said "The Mountains!" I guess she forgot this isn't a normal sight for me!

Athabascan Village
We learned that muskrat skins/furs lined with moss were used for diapers!

Yup'ik, Cup'ik
The smaller doorway was to the womens and girls living quarters and the large door was to the mens living space which was also used as the community center for evening activities

Wood frog
My sister has lived in AK for 31 years and said this is the first time she has seen a frog in the wild!

Inupiaq
The girl is holding a bowhead whale baleen

Lower jawbone of bowhead whale
Leah and Debbie showing size

Unangax
This woman had recently made this robe from otter. The white strips hanging are ermine tails (she said she bought them on ebay!)

Tlingit
Totem pole

Skin boat covered with female walrus skin
hanging from ceiling

Comments

[Jen Tinnes]

wow
would love to visit Alaska some day! Nice pics and strange seeing you guys in sweaters. It was 90 today! Also, thanks for sharing the diaper info, good to know in case one is hard up for alternatives. :)

[covemom]

diaper hunt
Well, I guess if you live in the Alaskan wilderness it's easier to hunt down a muskrat than a box of Huggies!