For those who have been following the social and ecological crisis in western Alaska

[Blue_In_AK]

Phil Munger has an excellent post here http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/02/post-super-bowl-perspective-on-yukon.html regarding the history of the Yup'ik civilization and the very formidable odds that they are up against now. The "Uncle" referred to in the article is Uncle Ted Stevens, of course, in league with his corrupt son Ben.

Imagine ten football fields, placed end-to-end, without the end zones. 3,000 feet - 1,000 yards. Each foot equals a year in history. Each five-yard marker equals 15 years. These ten football fields equal the length of Yupik Civilization's mark upon the Yukon River.




Somewhat more than 3,000 years ago, Yupik-related peoples started moving into the lower deltas of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, coming into the areas mostly from the North-northeast. As global warming expanded the Bering Sea through a rise in sea levels, the warmth created glacial melt-off, swelling the river. As glaciers retreated upriver, lakes were exposed and new streams led from them to the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers.

Salmon, already present in the larger streams, moved into the new streams and lakes. Over the centuries, huge salmon runs supported larger and larger human populations.

This magnificent process, accompanied by expansion of Yupik civilization throughout the deltas, and then upriver, lasted through the lengths of nine of the ten football fields.

The Russians entered the area from the west-southwest near the beginning of the tenth football field. The British fur traders entered from the upper Yukon at about 30 yards into the field. The Americans took over the field around the 50-yard line.

<snip>

At about the four-yard line, the referees took the ball and the salmon away from the Yupik. At least the team still has their huddles, playbooks, yells, team songs, rituals uniforms and will to win.

Can you help us tell the end of this tale of a civilization's successful fight against enormous odds?

<snip> ... much more.

This is an informative post. How can we help?

[Karenina]

1. Thanks for keeping us up to speed!

:hi:

[Hekate]

2. Kick and Rec to get this on toward the morning shift

Thanks, Blue.

Hekate

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I'm going to give this another kick

just because Phil's such a great writer, and this matter is so important.

[KamaAina]

4. Isn't the First Dude part Yup'ik?

Can't his wife, like, get all mavericky and save them? Can't she at least see them from her house?

[Blue_In_AK]

6. I believe he's 1/8 Yup'ik,

but they only publicize that when it works to Sarah's political advantage. I think it's probably been a long time (if ever) that Todd's been in touch with his Native heritage.

[JeffR]

5. K & R

A very important read.