Module 6: American Period - Transportation and Communication

What are issues facing Alaskans today related to transportation and communication? 

 Alaska is in a truely unique situation as far as transportation and communication goes.  It is a different way of life, one that can take some adjusting for a new resident.  It is a new way of thinking.  Because there is a very small amount of road systems for how large our state is, residents have to rely on alternative means of travel and communication.  The villages of western and northern Alaska rely heavily on the aviation industry to bring them mail, food, supplies, and any other things not serviced by their communities in the winter months when the water routes are frozen.  However, when planes also do not fly due to the poor weather conditions, families can be left without their needs for survival.  While ferries and barges can service areas in Southeast Alaska all months of the year, the interior areas do not have this "luxury." 

A fuel tanker tries to navigate the ice on its way to Nome:  Google Images

Starband Satellite Internet:  Google Images

For such a remote area, I feel that Alaska has done fairly well in their communication availability in most areas.  Most villages and hubs have some sort of internet access which can connect them to the rest of the world.  However, access can vary greatly and can be expensive.   The installation of satellites have also expanded the communicaiton options for many remote areas.  Villages can now get satellite internet and/or TV which can lead to the opportunity of audio and video conferencing if needed.  

How does aviation affect the lives of Alaskans today?

Aviation is a necessity and way of life for most Alaskans today.   It serves as the main means of travel for people living in the most remote areas of Alaska.  Aviation is not only used for vacation travel or emergency services but also used for sports travel, transportation of goods, mail servicing, and police transportation.  Without aviation, residents would literally be cut off from the rest of the world.  While ferries, boats, and barges can travel through the summer months, it is shut off in the winter months when the ports and rivers are iced over.  In an article put out by the Alaskan Department of Transportation, they claimed that Alaskan residents receive 39 times more freight by air than our counterparts in the lower 48.  

The Tweto Family of Era Alaska:  Courtesy of Google Images

Current Discovery Channel Shows such as Flying Wild Alaska depict the dependence and effects of aviation on the lives of Alaskans today.  

 How dependent is your community on air transportation?  

  
My community of Prince of Wales Island is dependent on air transportation for mail and emergency services.  Because we have a ferry system that operates between our island and Ketchikan (the closest "hub") the dependence on the airplanes isn't quite as much as villages in western Alaska.  However, for any kind of emergency services, the community relies heavily on the planes in order to transport to Ketchikan, Seattle, or Anchorage.  Our supplies and food services are most often barged and so in the case of poor weather conditions, the residents are still able obtain the basic necessitites, but if such items such as medications are mailed, it could take days to receive them if the planes cannot fly.  

 

 

Taquan Air provides mail and passenger services to POW Island

 

 

 

Colleague Comments

Whitney:  I really enjoyed the information you posted on the reindeer herding.  It is something that I am unfamiliar with and it was interesting looking at your resources.  

Kelley:  You always provide great "extra" insight and information that is not found elsewhere in the modules.  Way to expand on the topics! 

Kristin:  I really love the overall layout of your blog.  It is always easy to read and has great pictures to supplement the text.  


Evaluation

I really enjoyed this weeks module.  I think that it is one that everyone living in Alaska can connect with on some level.  Everyone is affected by the aviation and communicaitons systems here in Alaska and it is interesting to know the history behind the developments to make Alaska a little more connected.  The resources were easy to understand and engaging. 

Module 5: American Period: Alaska's Economy

What have been the major components of the Alaska economy during the American period of 1867-present?

My husband panning for gold in waterfall pool.

During the early American period, the economy of Alaska focused on commercial whaling and fur trapping and trading that the Russians had heavily influenced.  As we moved into the 1900 however, a shift started occurring into the collection of other natural resources.  After the end of commercial whaling, commercial fishing began to take over and mining became extremely popular after the several Alaskan gold rushes (to read more about the earliest Alaska gold rushes, click here)

After the gold rushes brought many people into Alaska, cities and towns needed to be developed which is turn led to the logging and timber industry.  This industry continues today and is heavily prominent on Prince of Wales
Island in which I live.

The biggest influence on the Alaskan economy came in the form of the oil boom and the creation of the Alaskan Pipeline. The oil industry of Alaska serves as the largest revenue for the state and greatly impacts the residents of Alaska in the form of the PFD checks. 

   My husband learning the ropes of salmon fishing.

Another great article on the history of the Alaskan oil industry can be read here

The final two components of the Alaskan economy are the Seafood and Tourism markets.  Alaska is one of the largest producers of salmon and most coastal towns rely heavily on commercial fishing and seafood processing as their income.

Because Alaska still seems to be somewhat of an "unknown" land with vast areas left undiscovered, people are flocking to the area.  Alaskan cruises have become wildly popular while fall big game hunting trips have also attracted many tourists from other areas.

These three cruise ships greeted my husband and I in Ketchikan as we arrived on the Alaskan Marine Highway Ferry.

What were the primary motivations for Americans moving to Alaska in the late 1800's?

Every man's hope during the Alaska Klondike Gold Rush

   

The primary motivation for Americans moving to Alaska was the idea of wealth and prosperity when gold was found.  The chance to find a better life and to gain new experiences in an unknown land peaked American's interest.  Others were also moving to Alaska to map out territories and continue the spread of Christianity that was first brought by the Russians.

These motivations are still very similar to some people moving to Alaska today.  For example, unknown and "wild" areas intrigue our natural curiosity as humans.  When contemplating our move, my husband and I were immediately drawn to Alaska for its unique differences and a different pace of life.  Also, as seen with the recent shows on the discovery channel, some are still moving here in hopes of finding the American dream through gold and logging industries.  


Extend:  Describe the economic base for your area of Alaska and share any current issues confronting the local residents.  

An aerial view of Craig on Prince of Wales Island. 

On Prince of Wales Island, the economic base is made up of four key components; federal government projects (forest service etc.), logging, commercial fishing, and tourism.  These four economic areas have remained fairly consistent throughout time here on the island.
A forth component that would affect local residents is the talk of the rehabilitation of an old uranium and rare earth metal mine on the island.  This component
would create more jobs and a shift
in the states revenue and resident life here on the island.
Click here to read more about the current Bokan Mountain Mine Project.


Module 5 Evaluation

Although this week's module contained a wealth of information and numbers based upon the economy, I feel that it was extremely valuable in seeing how the past economy shapes our economy today.  It is interesting to look at the cause effect relationships of different key points in history to determine how we got to where we are now. 

Colleague Reviews

I enjoyed Nikki's blog and the notation of the Russian's legacy in relation to the naming of places in Alaska.  

I loved how Brenda gave multiple examples of contact between the Russians and groups of Alaskans and how they varied in their encounters and attitudes towards each other.  

Lane, I really liked your descriptions and maps of the Spanish peoples quests in Alaska.

Module 4: Russian America

 What is the legacy of the Russian colonization of Alaska?  

The legacy of Russian colonization of Alaska can still be seen today in several different forms.  The most evident is that of the architectural buildings of the prominent Russian cities such as Sitka.  In Sitka, the Russians built Orthodox churches, schools, and medical facilities.  These buildings can still be seen today and are prominent landmarks of the community.  There are also Russian American gift stores and tourist attractions that showcase the influences of the past.  

Courtesy of Google Images

Because many Russians married Alaskan Natives, converted to the Orthodox church, and made a permanent home here, the traditions and cultures continued to stay long after the fur trade industry had left and Alaska was sold to the US.  In the summer, you can see displays of Russian culture through Russian dancing and crafts. 

The legacy also continues through our current economy.  For example, on Prince of Wales Island, many Russian students come to explore and work in the fish processing industry.  With them, they bring many of the same cultures and influences that were brought in by the first explorers in Alaska. 

Why were the Russians interested in Alaska?  

As humans, we have an inherent nature to wonder and a need to explore.  The grass is always greener on the other side and the unknown can create fear and so we strive to find out about unfamiliar surroundings.  

We are also economically based and search for ways to prosper.  The Russians were primarily interested in the resources that the unexplored lands had to offer.  Because the area was "untapped," the Russians saw this as a huge opportunity to adventure into the trade market.  

It was also a way to spread the religion on Christianity to the Native inhabitants of the land.  

Evaluation:

I enjoyed this weeks module very much.  I loved getting to know the history behind the current influences in Alaska.  The most interesting to me was finding out where Alaska got many of its names and the stories behind the explorers who named them.  It helped me draw conclusions and gain a better understand of how much influence the Russians had on the area. 

Colleague Reviews:

Education Exploration in AK:
I love your analysis of culture and the cultural mosaic pictorial model that you included in your blog.  It demonstrates how abstract culture can be and that it has many facets. 

Excited about Alaska:

Kelly, it seems that we have a very similar background, growing up in a small western town, our Irish descent, and our giving nature.  It was very nice to read your own cultural identity and how you define yourself!

Alaska Reflections:

I like your use of multiple visual representations in your blog to make readers gain a better understanding of the facets of culture.