EldEr Story: Beginning of the Eskimo People

By Kenneth Peeloolook

“This story has been passed down for many generations. It was a long time ago on the Southern Alaska coast where it was believed this story took place. The area was described as a good hunting place and was near a mountainous area. There were many trees and the game was abundant with mountain sheep and caribou.

A man, his wife and their son lived close to the community. They were a happy family. One morning, the man looked in the distance and saw a black object rising from the horizon. He looked to the earth and before him on the ground appeared blackness. He was worried and became afraid of what appeared. He looked again to see if it was his mind playing tricks on him, but it became clear that this sight was no illusion and it was real. He had experienced many floods in his times, but the sky did not tell the tale of such blackness as it did now.

He talked with his wife and explained what he had seen. His wife said it was indeed a sign for him to prepare for a flood that they had never experienced before. From the sign, the danger would be long with them. The couple then » began to gather all the material they needed to build a sturdy raft that would carry them through the toughest time of their lives. Many yards of ugruk skin rope were made. Trees of the largest and strongest quality were cut and laid upon the ground, making the layers of logs four deep. The ugruk rope bound the logs together. The man worked very quickly as he knew that he would have only a short time for preparation. In the distance, the black object rose higher and higher consuming the horizon, and constantly growing larger as the days passed.

The man knew that he must continue to work even though he grew tired. He asked others to help him but they only laughed and told him he was getting excited about the things he did not know. They questioned him as to “why such a thing was going to happen if it never happened before? After all, why make such a huge raft and on top of it all, make it on the ground?” The man was regarded as very foolish and unproductive. Indeed, what sort of man was this who became excited about such a little matter when everyone was well off? Hence, he was left to his own devices.

A young orphan girl was the only other person who helped the family. She did not have any parents and wandered around the village, moving from family to family. When she came by and saw the building of the huge raft, she was more than happy to help.

As the black clouds rose higher and higher, the sky darkened and the four people—husband, wife, their son and the girl—worked harder to get everything prepared. Once the logs were bound, a tent frame was built on the raft and covered with treated caribou skin. The skins were treated so that the water would not penetrate through the skin. The tent frame was made with the heavies of willows, fastened to the logs. A stone anchor was made and was secured to the raft. Then the rain began, the black clouds covered the sky and darkened the earth. It rained until the earth gradually disappeared. Those who had not heeded the warning cried out for help but it was too late for any help.

The storm continued for many weeks until all of the land disappeared. Eventually, the storm grew quieter, although it continued to rain. The waves pushed at the raft, threatening to overturn all those who occupied the retreat. “Do not be afraid my wife,” said the man. “We will not drown like the others.” Soon, even the mountains had gone under water. The land had sunk.

The couple, their boy, and the girl slept to conserve their strength. They awoke when they felt a tug on the raft. It appeared the anchor had lodged onto something. They found when they awoke that the water was still high but appeared to be receding. The raft was still as they waited until the time they were able to go onto the earth once again. When they felt quite safe, they made a camp and began to live a life with good principles and understanding. The orphan girl and son of the hunter lived together and soon had children of their own. It is said that the Eskimo people began from that time onwards, and each year the children grew in numbers. The husband and wife advised the young people how to live a strong and healthy life-style.

This story was passed down through the generations. Its origin is not completely known, however, it is believed the Eskimo people originated on Alaska’s southwest coast. There is a place where, to this day, one can find whalebones and remains of dead fish high in the mountains, which can barely be seen from the lowlands except on a very clear day.”∞