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Walter Johnson, Interview 1, Part 1 |
Dr. Walter Johnson was interviewed by David Krupa on August 20, 1992 at his winter home in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Johnson was in Anchorage to visit one of his sons and to purchase supplies for a home he is building in Homer. Although retired, Dr. Johnson is very busy with a variety of projects, including lectures, building, and gardening. In anticipation of this interview, he took the time to organize and display a series of photos, records, and other memorabilia to augment the oral record. Dr. Johnson, like many others with long-standing ties to the Brooks Range, was at first hesitant to speak about complex and sometimes contentious history of the area. He was careful to distinguish his personal experience and general knowledge about the area, but because of his interest in history, he was able to provide an exceptionally rich reconstruction of early patterns of use and occupancy for the Koyukuk region. He also details some of his personal experiences while living in Wiseman: visiting with old-timers, hunting, running the local store, and working for the Alaska Road Commission. He explains that this remote subsistence lifestyle was nearly enough to keep him there for a lifetime, but the tug of social conscience drew him to a career of public service in medicine. His discussion includes early patterns of subsistence and mining for Natives and non-Natives, the social and cultural life of Wiseman in the middle of this century, and the impact of the many changes occasioned by the decline of mining, air travel, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), the haul road, and finally, park formation. Dr. Johnson concludes that the area is a too tenuous and fragile environment to support large-scale population centers, and thus a carefully managed park is probably a good way to ensure that future generations will have access to wild and scenic country. What subsistence resources there are, he says, should remain with those who live in the area and not be subject to hunting pressures from guides and interlopers from urban centers to the south. Dr. Johnson fondly recalls the many phases of his involvement with the Wiseman community and says that he has no regrets.
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93-15-19 |
Gates of the Arctic National Park |
Aug 20, 1992 |
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Walter Johnson, Interview 1, Part 2 |
This is a continuation of an interview with Walter Johnson conducted by David Krupa on August 20, 1992 in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a continuation of tape number Oral History 93-15-19. In this part of the interview, Walter talks about effects of tourism, and the future of Wiseman.
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93-15-20 |
Gates of the Arctic National Park |
Aug 20, 1992 |
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Walter Johnson, Interview 2, Part 1 |
Dr. Walter Johnson was interviewed on July 8, 2005 by Karen Brewster at his home in Homer, Alaska. The interview took place at his kitchen table on a warm summer day with a view of Kachemak Bay. In this first part of a two part interview, Dr. Johnson talks about establishing the Community Health Aide Program, training health aides, integrating health aides into the western health care system, communication systems used, curriculum development, the program as a model for rural health care, and what he sees for the future. After the interview, Walter led a tour of his apple and cherry orchard and vegetable and flower gardens.
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2004-17-06_PT.1 |
Community Health Aide Program |
Jul 8, 2005 |
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Walter Johnson, Interview 2, Part 2 |
This is a continuation of the interview with Dr. Walter Johnson on July 8, 2005 by Karen Brewster at his home in Homer, Alaska. The interview took place at his kitchen table on a warm summer day with a view of Kachemak Bay. In this second part of a two part interview, Dr. Johnson talks about the success of the Community Health Aide Program, being the medical director at the Alaska Native Medical Center, working with health aides, and communication and confidentiality issues between doctors and health aides. He also talks about the future of the Community Health Aide Program, what his involvement has meant to him personally, and lessons that can be learned from it. After the interview, Walter led a tour of his apple and cherry orchard and vegetable and flower gardens.
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2004-17-06_PT.2 |
Community Health Aide Program |
Jul 8, 2005 |
