Part 4 - Know How

LIFE ON THE INSIDE : TODAY'S ALASKA

While hitchhiking through a snowstorm last winter, I was picked up by an Alaskan Native, which is to say indigenous, as opposed to Native Alaskan — someone born in the state. I was on an early-winter bike tour through South Central Alaska promoting my first feature-length film when the snow began to fall, and I had to stick out my thumb.

By the time he stopped, several inches already had accumulated, and the storm looked to be gaining momentum. Throughout the next two hours, we drove between 20 and 35 miles per hour, often slowing to a near stop as the oncoming plow trucks passed and the trailing cloud of snow blocked all visibility. Because of the slow speed, we had plenty of time to talk. Our discussion centered on Alaska — one of my favorite topics.

“People come to Alaska for two reasons,” he said, “tour of duty, and because it’s Disneyland.” I understood exactly what he meant. Because of our oil, fisheries, and tourist economies, many people are drawn to Alaska by the lure of “easy money.” And because of the states' many national parks and bountiful wilderness Alaska is, for many, top on their bucket list.

Neither of these is bad, we agreed, but as a result many people in Alaska, at any given time, are not Alaska Native or Native Alaskan. As a result, it is easier than not to misunderstand or underappreciate the state. I have lived here my entire life, and I am still learning. However, if what you know comes from reality television, a two-week vacation, or a six-week on, six-week off job on the north-slope oil fields, it is unlikely that the rich subtitles of this young state with ancient culture have a chance to sink in.