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Donald "Don" Callaway
Don Callaway was the Regional Anthropologist for the Ethnography Program of the National Park Service in Alaska and was based out of Anchorage, Alaska. He was involved with the project planning and interviewing for the Exit Glacier Project Jukebox in 2010, as well as for the Katmai National Park Project Jukebox from 1998-2002. In 2000, Don helped conduct the Healy Lake interviews in the Wrangell St. Elias Project Jukebox. These interviews are also available in Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). Don retired from the National Park Service in 2011.
As Interviewer
Interview Title | Archive #: Oral History | Project | Abstract |
---|---|---|---|
Duane and Sanna LeVan, Part 1 | 2010-05-01_PT.1 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
Duane and Sanna LeVan were interviewed on April 9, 2010 by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, and Karen Brewster at their home in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, the LeVans talk about life in Seward and how it has changed, and the 1964 Earthquake. They talk about skiing, hiking, camping, boating, hunting, and snowmachining in the Exit Glacier area, construction of Herman Leirer Road to the glacier, community use of the area, and their thoughts on the establishment of Kenai Fjords National Park. |
Duane and Sanna LeVan, Part 2 | 2010-05-01_PT.2 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
This is a continuation of an interview with Duane and Sanna LeVan by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, and Karen Brewster on April 9, 2010 at their home in Seward, Alaska. In this part of the interview, the LeVans talk about the various ways in which they have used the Exit Glacier area both before and after the road was put in, cross-country skiing and hunting, changes in Seward, their thoughts about the establishment of Kenai Fjords National Park, and they mark uses and features on the map. |
Doug McRae, Part 1 | 2010-05-02_PT.1 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
Doug McRae was interviewed on April 10, 2010 by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, and Karen Brewster at his home in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, Doug talks about growing up in Seward, the 1964 Earthquake, his guiding business, hunting and trapping in the Seward area, changes in wildlife populations, mining, the Fish and Game Advisory Board, and carving. He talks about trapping, hunting, flying, and snowmachining in the Exit Glacier area, remote airstrips, old cabins, the stranded bulldozer up Resurrection River, the road to Exit Glacier, and the negative effects national parks have on hunting. |
Doug McRae, Part 2 | 2010-05-02_PT.2 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
This is a continuation of an interview with Doug McRae by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, and Karen Brewster on April 10, 2010 at his home in Seward, Alaska. In this part of the interivew, Doug continues to talk about his career as a hunting guide, his own hunting activities, the road to Exit Glacier, thoughts about establishment of Kenai Fjords National Park, snowmachining, and his work as an artist making carvings out of antler. |
Gary Zimmerman, Part 1 | 2010-05-03_PT.1 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
Gary Zimmerman was interviewed on April 10, 2010 by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, Karen Brewster, and Shannon Kovac at the Van Gilder Hotel in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, Gary talks about his dad's snowmachine tourist operation, hunting, changes in wildlife populations, and his love of snowmachining, being a responsible snowmachiner, and snowmachine access issues. He talks about snowmachining and hunting in the Exit Glacier area, snowmachining and skiing on the ice field, changes in the glaciers, the road to the glacier, his thoughts about the establishment of Kenai Fjords National Park and use and access issues. |
Gary Zimmerman, Part 2 | 2010-05-03_PT.2 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
This is a continuation of an interview with Gary Zimmerman by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, Karen Brewster, and Shannon Kovac on April 10, 2010 at the Van Gilder Hotel in Seward, Alaska. In this part of the interview, Gary talks about riding snowmachines on the Harding Icefield and near Exit Glacier, and ensuring that snowmachining continues to be an allowed use in Kenai Fjords National Park. |
Tom Gillespie, Part 1 | 2010-05-04_PT.1 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
Tom Gillespie was interviewed on April 11, 2010 by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason and Karen Brewster at his home on Bear Lake in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, Tom talks about growing up in the Exit Glacier Road area, logging and sawmills, flooding at Clear Creek and Old Exit Glacier Road, the 1964 Earthquake, changes in wildlife populations, backcountry trails and running routes, the Mount Marathon race, and changes in Seward. He talks about skiing, hiking, climbing, camping, snowmachining, trapping and hunting in the Exit Glacier area, expeditions on the Harding Icefield, and changes in the glacier. |
Tom Gillespie, Part 2 | 2010-05-04_PT.2 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
This is a continuation of an interview with Tom Gillespie by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason and Karen Brewster on April 11, 2010 at his home on Bear Lake in Seward, Alaska. In this part of the interview, Tom talks about changes in Seward, mining, trapping, hunting, fishing, other subsistence activities, skiing and climbing in the Exit Glacier area, and his thoughts on the establishment of Kenai Fjords National Park. |
Dan Seavey, Interview 1, Part 1 | 2010-05-05_PT.1 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
Dan Seavey was interviewed on April 11, 2010 by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, and Karen Brewster at his home in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, Dan talks about changes in Seward, the 1964 Earthquake, commercial fishing, his dog mushing career, and training and racing sled dogs. He talks about living on a homestead on Old Exit Glacier Road (Seavey's Corner), using horses, hunting and trapping in the Exit Glacier area, the road to the glacier, and local use of the area. |
Dan Seavey, Interview 1, Part 2 | 2010-05-05_PT.2 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
This is a continuation of an interview with Dan Seavey by Don Callaway, Rachel Mason, and Karen Brewster on April 11, 2010 at his home in Seward, Alaska. In this part of the interview, Dan continues to talk about dog mushing in the Resurrection River valley, and about changes in Exit Glacier and Exit Glacier Road, flooding, trail use, and effects of establishment of Kenai Fjords National Park. |
Percy Blatchford | 2010-05-06 | Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park |
Percy Blatchford was interviewed on April 12, 2010 by Rachel Mason, Don Callaway and Karen Brewster at the Van Gilder Hotel in Seward, Alaska. In this interview, he talks about his childhood, working as a longshoreman, the Native community in Seward and organization of the Qutekcak Tribe, hunting around Seward, changes in wildlife populations, and the 1964 Earthquake. He talks about helping build the Herman Leirer Road to Exit Glacier, especially the blasting work he did, how people have used the area, and how the road affected use. |
Ellen Demit, Interview 1 | 2000-105-01 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
Ellen Demit was interviewed on August 15, 2000 by Don Callaway and Connie Friend in Healy Lake, Alaska for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). The interview continued on August 16, 2000. She also gave a speech to her relatives on January 19, 2001 where she tells more about her personal and family history at Healy Lake and Big and Little Gerstle. In this first interview, Ellen talks about her childhood and adoptions, her affection for her adoptive parents and their struggles to survive a hunting and gathering lifestlye, and her own strength in raising three children on her own while hunting and trapping to survive. |
Ellen Demit, Interview 2, Part 1 | 2000-105-02-PT.1 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
This is a continuation of the interview with Ellen Demit by Don Callaway and Connie Friend for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). This second interview was conducted on August 16, 2000 in Healy Lake, Alaska. Ellen also gave a speech to her relatives on January 19, 2001 where she tells more about her personal and family history at Healy Lake and Big and Little Gerstle. In this second interview, Ellen talks about the 1927 Potlatch at Healy Lake given by Chief Healy, potlatch preparations, preserving cultural traditions, rules and taboos related to animals, men and women, preparation of traditional foods, and being a strong, self-sufficient woman. |
Ellen Demit, Interview 2, Part 2 | 2000-105-02-Pt.2 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
This is a continuation of the interview with Ellen Demit on August 16, 2000 by Don Callaway and Connie Friend in Healy Lake, Alaska for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). Ellen also gave a speech to her relatives on January 19, 2001 where she tells more about her personal and family history at Healy Lake and Big and Little Gerstle. In this second part of the second interview, Ellen talks about things her father did despite his blindness, gardening, preserving and preparing food for the winter, learning cultural lessons, the importance of prayer and respect, and Athabascan words for some of the months. |
JoAnn Polston | 2000-105-06 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
JoAnn Polston was interviewed on August 17, 2000 by Don Callaway and Connie Friend in Healy Lake, Alaska for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). In this interview, JoAnn talks about her memories of her grandmother, Jeany Healy, living at Healy Lake, her work to establish the village council, changes in the community, and the ups and downs of living in rural Alaska. |
Paul Kirsteatter | 2000-105-03 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
Paul Kirsteatter was interviewed on August 16, 2000 by Don Callaway and Connie Friend at his son Fred's home in Healy Lake, Alaska for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). In this interview, Paul talks about his experience living at Healy Lake, the seasonal round and hunting activities of the people of Healy Lake, and learning from the elders of the community. Paul discusses the epidemic in the 1940s, and the relationships between the local people and the miners and traders in the area. Paul also talks about his wife, Margaret, who was raised in Healy Lake, her role in Native land claims, and how much he learned from her about Native traditions. |
Fred Kirsteatter | 2000-105-03 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
Fred Kirsteatter was interviewed on August 16, 2000 by Don Callaway and Connie Friend at his home in Healy Lake, Alaska for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). In this interview, Fred talks about growing up in a traditional lifestyle and learning Native ways and values from his mother, getting an education and college degree, and what he accomplished for his village. He emphasizes the importance of getting an education, despite the difficulties and challenges of doing so when coming from a small rural Native community. |
Patrick Saylor | 2000-105-04 | Wrangell-St.Elias National Park |
Pat Saylor was interviewed on August 16 and 17, 2000 by Don Callaway and Connie Friend in Healy Lake, Alaska for Mendees Cheeg Naltsiin Keey': An Oral History of the People of Healy Lake Village (annotated and edited by Donald G. Callaway and Constance A. Friend, Revised June 2007). In this interview, Pat talks about learning traditional values and practices as a child, subsistence hunting and trapping practices, and his role as chief of Healy Lake. He also talks about fighting for Native and tribal rights, and gives advice to young people about the importance of carrying on traditions. |
Gabby Gregory | 99-37-03 | Katmai National Park |
Gabby Gregory was interviewed on November 2, 1999 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Kokhanok, Alaska. In this interview, Gabby talks about living a subsistence-based lifestye, including hunting bears, beaver, moose and caribou, fishing and trapping, and changes he has seen in the weather, environment and animal populations. He also talks about changing methods of transportation for access to hunting and trapping, including use of snowmachines and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), and local impacts from the establishment of Katmai National Park and Preserve. |
Gregory Andrew | 99-37-02 | Katmai National Park |
Gregory Andrew was interviewed on November 2, 1999 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Kokhanok, Alaska. In this interview, Gregory talks about his life as a subsistence hunter and trapper in the Lake Iliamna area. He discusses the trail system and how changes in transporation from dog team to snowmachine and All-Terrain Vehicle have affected hunting activities. He also mentions changes in the animal populations from climate change, and the importance of sharing knowledge with the next generation and providing training for things like equipment operation and maintenance. |
Danny Roehl, Interview 2 | 99-37-01 | Katmai National Park |
Danny Roehl was interviewed on November 1, 1999 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Kokhanok, Alaska. In this interview, Danny talks about operating a lodge, hunting and trapping, and changes he has seen in the wildlife populations, in the types of transportation used, and the impacts from increased guiding and sport hunting activity. He also discusses the arrival of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) to the area, how that has impacted subsistence, and changes he has seen in the caribou population over time. Finally, Danny talks about changes in the community and the lifestyles of village residents. |
John Nelson, Jr. | 99-37-05 | Katmai National Park |
John Nelson, Jr. was interviewed on November 2, 1999 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Kokhanok, Alaska. In this interview, John talks about growing up living a traditional subsistence lifestyle of hunting and trapping and how that has changed with the establishment of Katmai National Park and new ways to access traditional areas, including snowmachines and all-terrain vehicles (ATV's). He also talks about serving on the village council, community concerns about hunting regulations and impacts from the increased number of sporthunting lodges, and village health problems and lack of services. John also offers advice for younger people, especially having subsistence skills and knowing their family and community history. |
Garith Nielsen | 99-37-04 | Katmai National Park |
Garith Nielsen was interviewed on November 2, 1999 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Kokhanok, Alaska. In this interview, Garith talks about changes in the types of vehicles used for subsistence activities, including snowmachines and all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), and the effect of these changes combined with the establishment of Katmai National Park and Preserve. He also talks about changes he has witnessed in animal populations, especially moose and caribou, and competition between hunters. |
Randy Alvarez and Dan Salmon | 2002-26-05 | Katmai National Park |
Dan Salmon and Randy Alvarez were interviewed on September 12, 2002 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Igiugig, Alaska. In this interview, Dan and Randy talk about the use of snowmachines and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) for local hunting and trapping activities and their impact on the land and resources. They discuss observations they have made in terms of changing climate and changes in wildlife populations and the effects these have had on hunting and access. Dan and Randy also talk about the use of traditional trails and hunting areas, and the vehicle regulations imposed by the National Park Service with the establishment of Katmai National Park and Preserve. |
Mike and Dallia Andrew, Interview 1, Part 1 | 95-24-01 | Katmai National Park |
Mike and Dallia Andrew were interviewed on March 6, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway in Igiugig, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Mike and Dallia talk about their family backgrounds, their childhoods, and learning traditional skills and to speak English. They talk about the seasonal round of subsistence activities from trapping to hunting to fishing, which required quite a bit of seasonal movement, and employment opportunities with reindeer herding, working at a cannery, or commercial fishing. The also talk about gathering wood and the impact of wildfires on the environment. Finally, Mike discusses lack of local health care and the influenza epidemic. |
Mike and Dallia Andrew, Interview 1, Part 2 | 95-24-02 | Katmai National Park |
This is the continuation of an interview with Mike and Dallia Andrew on March 6, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway in Igiugig, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Mike and Dallia talk about their lives before they were married, as well as their later hunting and trapping activities. Dallia talks about learning to sew and cook, and how holidays were celebrated including the preparation of specific foods for the occassion. Mike talks about traveling around the area and his hunting and trapping practices. |
Mike and Dallia Andrew, Interview 2, Part 1 | 95-25-01 | Katmai National Park |
Mike and Dallia Andrew were interviewed on March 7, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway in Igiugig, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Mike and Dallia talk about their traditionally based subsistence lifestyle and their fishing, hunting and trapping activities. They also talk about the effect of tundra fires, celebrating holidays, how to properly dispose of animal bones, how to avoid starvation, gender specific roles in subsistence activities, and changes they have seen in wildlife populations. Finally, Mike talks about hunting bear with an axe and following the proper rules about sharing your harvest, and Dallia talks about giving birth and raising a family. |
Mike and Dallia Andrew, Interview 2, Part 2 | 95-25-02 | Katmai National Park |
This is a continuation of an interview with Mike and Dallia Andrew on March 7, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway in Igiugig, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Mike and Dallia talk about animal behavior and hunting traditions, and hunting bears. They also talk about transportation practices, including the introduction of snowmachines and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's), the use of vehicles on National Park Service land, and land claims and land use practices. |
Mike and Dallia Andrew, Interview 3 | 95-26-01 | Katmai National Park |
Mike and Dallia Andrew were interviewed on March 8, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway in Igiugig, Alaska. In this interview, Mike and Dallia talk about following the traditional beliefs about the proper way to hunt, fish and trap and to treat the animals with respect. They discuss ice fishing and hunting bears and moose. They also talk about how their community has changed,and the importance of teaching the youth about the past by telling them about starvation times and helping them learn subsistence skills and traditional behaviors. |
Michael Andrew, Jr. | 2002-26-03 | Katmai National Park |
Michael Andrew, Jr. was interviewed on September 11, 2002 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Igiugig, Alaska. In this interview, Michael shares his memories of the introduction of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) and snowmachines and how they became the main form of transportation for accessing subsistence resources. He talks about impacts to the land and changes in seasonal hunting activities. He also discusses climate change, changes in wildlife populations, and how the community and local economy has changed during his lifetime. Finally, Michael talks about the trail system and documents trails on a map. |
Mary Ann Olympic, Interview 1 | 95-33-01 | Katmai National Park |
Mary Ann Olympic was interviewed on March 8, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway at her home in Igiugig, Alaska. In this interview, Mary discusses her strong personal ties to Kukaklek Lake where she grew up and recalls in Yup'ik and English the names of the places around the lake. She talks about growing up in a traditional subsistence lifestyle where the family moved around seasonally to access resources, and where she learned about reindeer herding, trapping, hunting and fishing. She also talks about the importance of sharing and abiding by traditional cultural practices. Mary also describes raising her family, and running a trapline and working at the school to help support them. |
Mary Ann Olympic, Interview 2, Part 1 | 95-33-02 | Katmai National Park |
Mary Ann Olympic was interviewed on March 9, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway at the school in Igiugig, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Mary talks about fishing, gathering wood, and smoking fish at her fish camp. She also talks about picking salmon berries, collecting grass for making baskets, and other fall and winter seasonal activities. Mary also discusses the important Yup'ik values of sharing and respecting the animals harvested, as well as the puberty rite of passage she went through that is no longer practiced. |
Mary Ann Olympic, Interview 2, Part 2 | 95-33-03 | Katmai National Park |
This is the continuation of an interview with Mary Ann Olympic on March 9, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway at the school in Igiugig, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Mary talks about the traditional values she was taught about not wasting food and respecting the animals harvested, and about times where there were food shortages and starvation. She also discusses the effect of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) on the activity level of children and community members, and remembers reindeer herding days when they used dogteams to get around and had to keep the reindeer separated from caribou. |
Mary Ann Olympic, Interview 3 | 2002-26-01 | Katmai National Park |
Mary Ann Olympic was interviewed on September 12, 2002 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Igiugig, Alaska. In this interview, Mary talks about the effects of changing transportaton for access to subsistence resources with the increased use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) and snowmachines, observations of climate and environmental changes, and changes in the timing of freeze-up and the coming of winter. She also talks about trapping, hauling wood, and living at Kukaklek Lake. She marks places around Kukaklek Lake on a map and discusses the meaning of the places and placenames. Finally, she shares some old stories about big "monster" pike fish in Battle Lake eating large animals like reindeer. |
Anne and George Wilson, Sr., Part 1 | 95-23-01 | Katmai National Park |
Anne and George Wilson, Sr. were interviewed on March 7, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway at the Wilson's home in Igiugig, Alaska. In this first part of a three part interview, Anne and George share their personal backgrounds of growing up in the Levelock and Igiugig areas, moving around with the seasons as subsistence hunters and trappers. George talks about his trapping activities and how he first learned to hunt and trap. Anne talks about traveling around with her family, fishing, berry picking, and learning to sew skins. |
Anne and George Wilson, Sr., Part 2 | 95-23-02 | Katmai National Park |
This is the continuation of an interview with Anne and George Wilson, Sr. on March 7, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway in the Wilson's home in Igiugig, Alaska. In this second part of three part interview, Anne and George talk about their seasonal round of subsistence activities. George also talks about being a commercial fisherman, using a snowmachine and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) for trapping and hunting, and how subsistence has changed in the region with land use restrictions, increased air traffic, and expansion of sport fishing and hunting lodges. Anne talks about running the household and raising the children while George was away for long periods on the trapline. Anne and George also discuss the importance of sharing food, following traditional rules, and respecting elders. |
Anne and George Wilson, Sr., Part 3 | 95-23-03 | Katmai National Park |
This is the continuation of an interview with Anne and George Wilson, Sr. on March 7, 1995 by Bill Schneider and Don Callaway at the Wilson's home in Igiugig, Alaska. In this third part of a three part interview, Anne and George talk about the impacts to their lifestyle from having a national park and preserve as their neighbor. They discuss differences between attitudes and hunting practices of local users and sportsmen, the effect of regulation, and changes they have seen in the environment since they were young. They also discuss the effect of using All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's), and the importance of traditional beliefs, practices and respect for elders. |
George Wilson, Jr. | 2002-26-07 | Katmai National Park |
George Wilson, Jr. was interviewed on September 12, 2002 by Don Callaway and Bill Schneider in Igiugig, Alaska. In this interview, George talks about the use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) and snowmachines for hunting in the Igiugig and Kukaklek Lake area. He discusses the seasonal uses of these types of transportation, the benefits and impacts from them, and the regulations and management applied to their use. George also talks about changes in resource availability and changes in the climate, and the trail system used in the area. |
Alex Tallekpalek | 98-17-01 | Katmai National Park |
Alex Tallekpalek was interviewed on May 5, 1998 by William Schneider and Don Callaway at his home in Levelock, Alaska. In this interview, Alex talks about learning to live off the land and how to fish, hunt and trap from his grandfather. He also talks about hunting beluga whales. Alex also discusses changes he has observed in the environment, in animal, bird and fish populations, in the culture, and with the climate, and impacts on subsistence living from the development of sport lodges and the presence of Katmai National Park and Preserve. |
Evan Chukwak | 98-17-04 | Katmai National Park |
Evan Chukwak was interviewed on May 6, 1998 by William Schneider and Don Callaway at the village corporation office/hotel in Levelock, Alaska. In this interview, Evan talks about the hardships of living a traditional subsistence lifestyle in the early days, and changes in the animal populations and in hunting practices. Evan discusses his grandfather, the knowledge he shared, the stories the told, and the lessons Evan learned from him, including about treating animals properly and how to cope with starvation times. Evan also talks about the impact of sport fishermen and lodges on the local subsistence lifestyle, and the importance of passing his land and knowledge on to his children and grandchildren. |
Ella Mae Charley and George Setuk | 98-17-02 | Katmai National Park |
Sister and brother, Ella Mae Charley and George Setuk were interviewed on May 5, 1998 by William Schneider and Don Callaway in Levelock, Alaska. In this interview, Ella and George talk about their subsistence lifestyle, and the changes they have observed in methods of transportation, in the environment and wildlife populations, and cultural attitudes toward hunting, trapping and fishing and living off the land. George discusses recovering from a childhood back injury and being out on the trapline in the winter with a dogteam and wroking as a commerical fisherman in Bristol Bay in the summertime. Ella talks about various seasonal subsistence activities and how they traveled to find the resources they needed. They also both talk about how their subsistence lifestyle has changed and been impacted by the establishment of Katmai National Park and an increase in sport fishermen and hunters coming to the area. They also discuss changes they are concerned about in the community, the Native culture and traditional practices. |
John and Mary Tallekpalek | 98-17-03 | Katmai National Park |
John and Mary Tallekpalek were interviewed on May 5, 1998 by William Schneider and Don Callaway at the village corporation hotel in Levelock, Alaska. This interview was held the day after John's 79th birthday. Mary was even older. Don and Bill visited the Tallekpaleks the night before to set up the interview. John was hard of hearing so they had to speak loudly and ended up doing the interview at the corporation hotel, because it was one of the few quiet places available. The interview shifts from John talking to Mary, with John taking the lead. They were both eagerly preparing to soon be heading back to Branch River and their camp for the summer. In this interview, John and Mary talk about their traditionally-based subsistence lifestyle including when Mary was a girl traveling with her reindeer herding father, and when they lived, fished and hunted along the Branch River, and how things have changed with the increase in sportfishing, use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV's), and the establishment of Katmai National Park. They also talk about environmental factors such as the 1912 Katmai volcanic eruption, a tundra fire in 1947, changes in animals coming into the area, and changing snow depths and river water levels. Finally, they discuss the 1918 flu epidemic and the elders' stories of volcanic eruption followed by starvation (before 1912 Katmai eruption), which is historically interesting because of the emphasis on the need to find fresh water springs. Mary echoes a common theme of listening to elders and learning by quiet listening, and shares their prophecy that starvation times will come again. |