Mixed Cultures

I had a profound realization the other day.
I had multiple students who were doing Keynote (like Powerpoint for Macs) presentations about the spring whale hunt where they make hand-sewn seal skins and attach it to a wooden frame. They then carry/paddle their boat across the ice and open water to where the whales come by. I was struck by the archaic nature of this tradition. I was then more profoundly struck by the fact that these same young people, that are very much a part of that ancient tradition as part of their way of life, are also asked to come to school and document their traditions on their own personal MacBook with wireless internet, DVD burner, and built-in camera. What a stark difference. A large majority of the native residents of Barrow are no more that 2 (and a lot of them 1) generation(s) away from being nomadic reindeer herdsmen or other completely subsistence hunter/fisher/gatherer.

Barrow Weather