Last semester when I found out that I was going to be sent out to a village in remote Alaska I was very excited. After having lived in Alaska for most of my life, and never visiting a single village off of the road system, I am ready to see what life is really like in the village. I have heard many stories, but I am ready to tell my own. The idea of immersing myself in a new culture is fascinating to me and I thrive on those experiences that make the world smaller and make global issues more meaningful. I look forward to that connection with rural Alaska.
Now, as of a week ago, I know where I am going, Kiana, Alaska. After a little research I know a little more about this place that I had never heard of until two weeks ago. Kiana is located on the Kobuk River about 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle, to me it is about as far away from any road system as possible. Kiana is home to about 400 people and approximately 90% are of Inupiaq-Eskimo decent. So on the 20th of this month I am given the opportunity to get to know this community up close for 7 days, I could not be more excited or more at loss to know what to expect out of this experience.
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