Part IV More about the topic: Native People of Alaska

Outline

I. Eskimos

 A. means of livelihood

  1. sea mammals

  2. fish

  3. caribou

  4. reindeer

 B. housing

  1. at present: frame houses heated by fuel oil

  2. in the past: sod and driftwood huts heated by seal-oil lamps

 C. well-known abilities, arts and crafts

  1. hunting

  2. ivory carving and others

II. Aleuts

 A. language: related to, yet very different from that of the Eskimos

 B. means of livelihood

  1. depending on the sea for food

  2. operating fishing boats

  3. working in fish canneries

III. Indians

 A. the Indians living in the interior

  1. origin: coming from Canada

  2. means of livelihood: hunting, fishing, trapping

 B. the Indians living near the sea

  1. crafts: carving, basket making and totem poles

  2. operating fishing boats and canneries

  3. other occupations: logging, shopkeeping and working in government offices

Tapescript:

When the Russian discovered Alaska in 1741, they found it occupied by three groups of native peoples --- Eskimos, Aleuts, and Indians. Descendants of these natives still live in Alaska.

Most scientists think that the native peoples migrated originally from Asia to North America, not all at once but in wave after wave over thousands of years. Probably the last to enter Alaska were the ancestors of the northern Eskimos.

Eskimos  Of the different groups of native peoples, the Eskimos are the most numerous. From earliest times the Eskimos depended upon sea mammals, fish, and caribou for their living. In the 1890’s reindeer were brought from Siberia to start herds as an additional means of livehood.

Many Eskimos now live in frame houses heated by fuel oil, but they once lived in sod and driftwood huts heated by sea-oil lamps. They did not build snow igloos, as some of the Canadian Eskimos still do, except for emergency shelter.

The Eskimos are superb hunters. They are an energetic people who have long been known for their ivory carving and other arts and crafts. Their way of life is changing as they find opportunities for schooling and for employment in trades and professions.

Aleuts   The Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula are the homelands of the Aleuts. The Aleut language is related to the language of the Eskimos, and yet it is very different. Like the Eskimos, the Aleuts have always depended on the sea for food and other needs. Some of the present-day Aleuts operate fishing boats. Other work in fish canneries. Many Aleuts have Russian names, which go back to the time of the Russian occupation of Alaska.

Indians  There are two major groups of Indians --- the Indians of the Interior Plateau and the Indians of Southeastern Alaska.

The Indians who live in the interior came to Alaska from Canada. Originally they were hunters. Some of them still live by hunting, fishing, and trapping. Others have moved to towns, where they live and work as do other present-day Alaskans.

The Indians of Southeastern Alaska are sometimes known as the maritime Indians, or Indians who live near the sea. They have been in Alaska for hundreds of years. Carving and basket making are among the crafts of the maritime Indians. They are known for their totem poles. From earliest times they depended on fish, especially salmon, for their living. Today they are efficient business people who operate commercial fishing boats and canneries. They also follow other occupations such as logging, shopkeeping, and working in government offices.