Bringing the fall whale home, part 4: The community gets fed

Inside the Patkotak workshop, where frames are made, skins stretched onto umiaks, sleds built and

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Bringing home the whale, part 3: A boy becomes a man - throws the harpoon, carries the flag; whale is cut, divided

Before last year, Tavvin Leavitt and his brothers had gone whaling every year with their

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Bringing home the whale, part 2: Tattoo of whale tails created in honor of ancestor taken by museum; three whales are brought home

When he was a young teen, Qaiyaan Harcharek wanted a tattoo, but his mom told him, "not before

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Eli Solomon Sr.

I just learned Eli Solomon Sr. has died. He was an old man. People I know die all the time and I feel bad about it. But somehow, right now, I feel terrible. The pain in my heart just keeps getting stronger. It has been awhile since I have shed a tear, but now a tear keeps forming in my eye. 

Thank you, Eli, for all you taught me - and so quietly, so humbly.

Thank you for befriending me.

Thank you for defending me, for standing up for me, when I needed someone to stand up for me.

And how many people are alive today who wouldn't be, were it not for you?

I can't write anymore right now.

I will resume my fall whaling series tomorrow.

Preview to Barrow fall whaling story: Early morning with Savik Crew on the Beaufort

In the back of the boat, Roy's son, Ben Hopson, prepares the

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