Thursday, December 18, 2008

Welcome to the Arctic


We have a lot of snow and ice.  We have many polar bears.  We eat tuttu (caribou) and whale and many things people from other places might think are strange.  If you were here, I bet you would like it even if it isn't one of your traditions.   We have the perfect size  island for animals to like to come visit. We mostly have polar bears because we have whale bones at the point of our island.

Welcome to Kaktovik


There are many cool things about Kaktovik.  

We have like hundreds of polar bears.  I have seen up to ten polar bears in one day.

One of the kids in my class is a son of one of the whaling captains.  I bet students in the lower 48 don't have somebody like that in their class or get to stand on a whale.

We also have lemmings.  I can see five or more in one day. Would you like to live in a place like this?  I would.  I mean I love to live in this place.  

I would love to be a scientist in Kaktovik, a place where they hunt whales.  Kids like me can get blood samples for the scientists.  We even get to hold the eyeball from the bowhead whale.

A Little About Us


Here in the arctic it isn't always actually that cold!  However, in the winter it can be freezing.  

There are many things to do in Kaktovik.  One example is whaling.  Our whole community helps in the whaling. 

Another thing to do here is watch polar bears up close.  There are so many bears that you could see one the first week you are here.

Kaktovik's school is very protective and educational.  Our teachers are so nice.  Kaktovik is the best place in the world.

Local Animals


We hunt tuttu, also known as caribou, whales, and other kinds of animals like Dall sheep, ducks, and geese.  

We ride out to the whale bones and watch polar bears, also known as nanuqs.  Sometimes the bears come up close to the cars.

Kaktovik Activities


Kaktovik is an interesting place.  

The weather is sometimes very cold.  The snow blows really hard, frost covers the windows, and you better wear really warm clothes.  I can go ski-doo riding.

The weather is sometimes warm.  When it is warm people like to be outside, walk around the village, and ride bikes. 

Polar bears visit Kaktovik.  They like to eat the whale bones.  People like to watch them.

We go whaling every year.  The kids can stand on the whale when it is pulled up, but have to get off when they start butchering it.


 

Kaktovik


Welcome to Kaktovik.  Our village is on Barter Island.  It is on the boarder of the mainland of Alaska and not too far from Canada.

An interesting thing about us is that we can catch whales.  The whales we catch are called Bowhead whales.  We hunt them in the fall.

Another interesting thing we do is ride hondas. During the summer we can ride them late in the night and it will still be light out.  They are fun to ride through town.  In the winter hondas are sometimes used to pull sleds.


Young Whalers by Atqaan


Welcome to Kaktovik where we hunt whales and go fishing.  My dad is the whaling captain of my crew.  I would like to go whaling because it's so exciting.  Before you go you have to learn everything about whaling.  Mostly, kids have to be ten to go whaling.  Even though I won't be exactly ten, I am probably going next year because I am going to be in a big boat.  If you go in a regular sized boat you have to be ten and up.

Barter Island - Cool Place


Barter Island is a very cool place.  Some unique things that happen here is that the lagoons and ocean freeze up and people can walk or snow machine on them.  That is very cool!

Every year some crews go boating out in the arctic ocean to catch whales.  Bowhead whales are very big and I think you would find them interesting to see.  They are also good to eat!  The ocean is very cold and polar bears travel here by swimming in it.  They like to be here during whaling season.

Some people go riding around with trucks down to the dump, over to the whale bones, or by the snow fences and sometimes see polar bears, brown bears, or foxes.  Wouldn't you find that interesting?  I know I do.  

Kaktovik - A Place of Blizzards


Every once in a while, we get a winter blizzards. It's not fun to be in a blizzard.  You might have to stay home and watch your little brothers and sisters. When the storm is over, we have huge drifts.  I bet no other place has drifts as big as we do!

Welcome Earth People


Welcome to the arctic.

Where polar bears roam,
Reindeer sleep,
and foxes hunt.

The coolest things ever happen here.

We have red foxes hunting for food
And polar bears roaming for a new home.

While we are asleep,
The polar bears creep.
While we are indoors cozy,
The red foxes are nosey.


By Avu