So, there I was, watching the Fall whale hunt in Utqiagvik (Barrow) on a cold crisp fall day. Usually in the fall, because the more powerful boats can be used and because there is no sea ice to deal with, many whales are harvested. However, this does depend on the migration and weather. This was the 5th whale of the season. The whaling crews are able to bring them to a piece of land just outside of the community and all are welcome to watch, participate, or learn.
If school was out, and I heard a whale was just landed, typically I found myself grabbing my camera and venturing out of town to experience the tradition for myself.
On this day, as was walking around the whale with my camera trying find ways to document the process, the moment, and meaning this tradition held for the Inupiaq people, I was able to capture a very special moment between two siblings.
The crews who were processing the whale weren't being respectful, in fact there is deep respect for the whale, and it's sprit, throughout the whale hunt. Once a whale has been harpooned, all the whaling crews gather to pray. To thank the whale for giving its life so that the community would live. This has been the way it's been for hundreds of years.
I however, always had a difficult time photographing the "raw" parts of the process. It's just that, it's never seemed right to me, to photograph the actual blood & guts of the whale. Instead, I have always tried to capture the beautiful parts. The emotions on the faces of the people, the respect, the joy, the pride, the food that the whale has provided, and the parts everyone plays in working together as a crew.
One of my favorite things is to capture the children and the expressions. To see what it all means to them, past what they can say with words. I don't know maybe it's the school teacher in me, but children have no filter, their feelings are just honest, and visible to the world.
I absolutely loved seeing my students enjoying their traditions and hearing their stories of subsistence hunting with their families. Talk about education through exploration and experiences! They learn so much and there is just so much happiness, pride and confidence in them. It really means the world for the kids to be able to learn to work with their family to help provide.
To me, it's just so much more valuable than making sure they didn't miss school, a day in a desk. Learning happens for kids all the time, at home, at school, in life. I feel that my 20 years of teaching throughout Alaska, has taught me one important lesson. That it's our job to work as hard as we can to keep our students connected to the world, instead of cut off from it, because it's the world that is our greatest classroom.
As I was walking around the whale this fall evening, I caught a glimpse of two of my students sitting on top of the whale, truly connecting with it. Feeling its' warmth, its' skin, truly understanding that this animal is special and apart of them. As I looked at the kids through my lens, I could sense in their eyes a deep feeling of love and respect, for both the whale and their heritage, as they watched the sunset together. There was a peace in this moment that seem to span lifetimes, offered down by elders that have long passed, to these two children. I could almost hear the words.."I..am..Inupiat."
This moment will always be a special one for me. I am so very honored to be able to share this story and image with you today. It is one of my very favorites. Thank you.
If you'd like to have a copy for yourself, please visit it at www.kirstenalburgstudio.com
Reading Resources:
Alaska Magazine: Here is an incredible resource if you'd like to learn more about the Inupiat subsistence whaling in Utqiagvik and Alaska. (Read Now)
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