by Jo Curran
When one thinks of the typical Alaskan, more often than not the image which comes to mind is a male. I think of the face of an Alaskan Native which graces the tail fins of Alaska Airlines’ fleet. But, like so many times before, when The West was first being settled, it was tough, determined women who ensured the success of the venture, the unsung heroes.
Alaska demands of its residents a willingness to accept hardships, hardships which most Americans prefer to avoid. Alaskans like it this way, they have no sympathy with would-be settlers coming north and expecting concessions because they are used to a softer way of life.
The women I have met in Alaska have all been strong, no nonsense, big hearted, independent minded women with both feet firmly on the ground. I am reminded of a T-shirt I once saw. It said; Alaska, “where men are men, and women win the Iditarod”. This 1,100 mile race through the winter bush was thought of as the epitome of machismo, until women competitors started winning.
There is an excess of males in Alaska. For a woman looking to find a mate, Alaska is a good hunting ground. But, as they say up in AK, the odds are good, but the goods are odd!
One thing both Alaskan men and women have in common is a desire to live life on their own terms with no interference from government. Environmentalists from the Lower 48 – or “outside” as it is referred to, are, on the whole, not appreciated. This would appear to be a contradiction since nearly every Alaskan sings the praises of the beauty of their land. The land is not just a picture postcard to be admired but an ecosystem to be managed for the benefit of all who choose to make the sacrifices to live there. Wearing fur in Alaskan winter weather is just plain good sense and not any kind of fashion statement or display of wealth.
The laws of Alaska make it possible, even today, to live a subsistence lifestyle. Though designed primarily to protect the traditional lifestyle of Alaska’s rural and Native Peoples, the laws cover any resident of the state who decides to live a life of hunting and fishing in order to put food on the table and to run trap lines in winter.
Subsistence is defined by federal law as “the customary and traditional uses by rural Alaska residents of wild, renewable resources for direct personal or family consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools or transportation; for the making and selling of handicraft articles out of the non-edible by-products of fish and wildlife resources taken for personal or family consumption and for the customary trade, barter or sharing for personal or family consumption”. About 80% of the wild food (44 million pounds annually) is taken by rural Alaskans and 20% by urban dwellers. 60% of the take is fish, 20% land animals, 14% marine mammals, and 2% each for birds, shellfish and plants.
Of course any resident or visitor can apply for a hunting or fishing license – it is only a matter of money – but the subsistence hunter and fisher pays only a token fee, and has priority if allocation of the harvest becomes necessary.
Another interesting perk of living in Alaska is the annual check each and every permanent resident receives as their share of the interest from the state’s Permanent Fund. This is funded by leases and royalties from mineral extraction in the state. In the last few years it has generated about $1000 a year for every qualified man, woman and child who, as of March 31st of a given year, has resided in the state for the previous six months.
It appears that the annual check, among other factors, has had some unintended consequences. Together with other state and federal assistance, it is now possible for a family to financially survive a winter of unemployment without having to “go outside” to take a job. This has increased the number of hunters. People have time on their hands and hunting is both fun and useful. Moose is the favorite quarry and one moose puts a lot of food on the table and in the freezer.
Unfortunately, moose are also a favorite quarry of the wolf. Hunters despise wolves and have put a lot of pressure on the state legislature to allow the hunting of wolves and wolf packs, which call Denali National Park part of their home range. They even want to hunt from helicopters to increase the number of moose available for hunting. This has led to a call for a tourism boycott of Alaska by environmentalists.
The population of Alaska is so small that they have only one representative in Congress, but of course they have two senators, one of whom is a woman. So Alaska might be a land we think of in terms of “Real Men” conquering the wilderness, but in reality it is every bit as much a place for a well grounded, well rounded woman to find her bliss.
Editor’s Note – Jo Curran is a professional tour manager and is available to lead tour groups, families, couples or individuals and can act as a driver and guide. Jo also offers full planning services (with or without a guide) giving you the custom tailored vacation of your dreams just about anywhere in the world. Please contact her at:
travgran at yahoo dot com
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