Wortiteksn ngljt
Volume a
Unalalciect, Alaska, *prii 1915
Number 16
^PROGRAM BEING ARRANGED FOR A REINDEER FAIR TO BE HELD*
AT SHAKTOOUK THE FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY, 1916.
Eskimos and Eapps are sure of winning in all contests-especial!} races
\ KEEP POSTED THRU THE NORTHERN LIGHT
ITEMS BY SUPT. EVANS
The Yukon Delta has a native
population numbering 757; these peo
ple are divide ! into 37 villages and
subsist on the products of their hunt
ing and fishing.
Plans were submited iu 1912 for
supplying the three thousand natives
of the Yukon Delta and the tundra
region below the Yukon with schools
and great pressure has been brought
to bear upon Congress to supply the
uecessary funds but without success.
While we were discussing
school and reindeer matters with
these primitive people one old men
said he had heard that Alaska was at
One time sold for a large sum of mon
ey and inquired as to the truth of the
report. When assured that Alaska
had really been sold he said his peo
ple hadn't received any of the mon
ey.That whole tundra country is pop
ulated with villages ranging from two
hundred fifty natives toa single fam
ily. Only one school has thus far been
allowed and no MEDICAL, ATTEN
TION. Constant inquiries are made
by the natives as to when schools will
be allowed them.
The natives of Unalakleet have
asked the Government to supply
them with a saw mill , water works
and other improvements. It is to be
hoped that so useful a thing as a saw
mill will ultimately be allowed but ra
the meantime there are many impro
ve neuts that can l e made without
Governmental aid. The erection of a
community house with bath attach
ments can well be accomplished
without any aid. The logs are avail
able for cutting and the natives, can
each donate enough labor to finisb
the building.
It should be borne in mind that the
rave progressive villages are doing
many things for themselves The nati
ve villages that have thus far secured
saw mills have paid for them with
funds raised in the community. There
is no reason why Urakrkleet should
be behind in such matters.
Theherdsliave all been moved to the
fawning ground but the f awn are-very
late in coming; at Igiot.nik on April
26th there were only 17 fawns, r.f
Sliaktooiik io,iigavik 50 Only ore
was found frozen.
LOWER YUKOW NOTES
River trails sou. Herds moving
to fawning quarters.
Dr. Reed is making trip lower
river and coast country. General!
health of natives unusually good.
Health of teachers and their fam
ilies all good and all feel that a profit
able winter lies teen spent.