The sense of community we all felt when we arrived at the Old Minto camp for an Athabasca Indian potlatch was incredible and inspiring. We were all very fortunate to interact with them and learned a great deal on our tour of the camp.
It began with a 30-mile boat trip up the Tanana River from Nenana, Alaska to the site that was originally settled in 1912. They have since moved their camp to a new location based on the flooding that continually caused them to flee, but still return to their old location for celebrations. It was here they were having a celebratory potlatch, as they come to the Old Minto a few times throughout the summer.
A small town called Nenana lies south of Fairbanks with a large Native population. Up the river from there Craig scheduled for us to meet with Robert Charlie, the director from the Cultural Heritage and Education Institute. While Robert Charlie turned out to be a bit of a swindler and general let down as he rushed us through our meeting at the village to make $100 for a boat ride, our arrival at Old Minto was a memorable one.
By Steven Shoppman
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Posted in Alaska, New Photos, North America, USA
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Also tagged Alaska, Athabascan, indians, native alaskans, native americans, old minto, robert charlie, United States
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Sometimes I have to take a step back, look around, and maybe even pinch myself to realize that this is real. We are beyond fortunate, and this last week has been like no other. When one is able to mix incredible people with amazing adventure its result is almost surreal. Alaska and its people are one of those places, hands down.
By Nels Thoreson
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Posted in Accomodation Reviews, Action Sports, Book and Media Recommendations, Expedition Updates, North America, USA
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Also tagged Alaska, Christopher McCandless, Coke Wallace, Denali View Lodge, Earth Song Lodge, Eddie Vedder, Elizabeth Gilbert, Esther Golton, Hard Sun, Healy, Into The Wild, jim kloss, Mahay's Riverboat Service, Midnight Sun Safaris, Mount McKinley, talkeetna, Talkeetna Air Taxi, Talkeetna Bed and Breakfast, The Last American Man, Touch of the Wilderness B & B Inn, Trapper John's Cabin, USA, whole wheat radio
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