Faith, Food, and Family in a Yupik Whaling Community Faith, Food, and Family in a Yupik Whaling Community CAROL ZANE JOLLES With the assistance of ELINOR MIKAGHAQ OOZEVA Elder Advisor A McLellan Book University of Washington Press Seattle & London This book is published with the assistance of a grant from the McLellan Endowed Series Fund, established through the generosity of Martha McCleary McLellan and Mary McLellan Williams. Copyright © 2002by the University of Washington Press Designed by Veronica Seyd Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Jolles, Carol Zane. Faith, food, and family in a Yupik whaling community / Carol Zane Jolles; with the generous assistance of Elinor Mikaghaq Oozeva. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index. ISBN 0-295-98189-X (cloth: alk. paper) 1. Yupik Eskimos—Alaska—Gambell. 2. Yupik Eskimos—Food—Alaska—Gambell. 3. Yupik Eskimos—Alaska—Gambell—Religion. 4. Whaling—Alaska—Gambell. I. Title. E99.E7J59 2002 305.897'1407986—dc21 2001048086 The paper used in this publication is acid-free and recycled from 10percent post-consumer and at least 50percent pre-consumer waste. It meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. In loving memory of linda aghnaghaghpik womkon badten, Yupik educator and scholar, 1926–1997. Her life was an example to many. She left this life carried on songs of praise. This book is for my husband, arnold hendrik jolles His faith in me has been my support. And it is for my mother, janet aisenberg smith Her stubborn strength has been my example. Contents Acknowledgments ix 1. Introduction 3 2. Where It All Takes Place: The Village of Gambell 17 3. Early History 50 4. Names and Families 93 5. Marriage 121 6. Life Passages 150 7. A Religious World View 202 8. Believing 224 9. Men, Women, and Food: A Subsistence Way of Life 274 10. Conclusion: The Land, the People, the Future 310 Appendix 328 Glossary 334 Bibliography 336 Index 351 vii Acknowledgments It has been twelve years since my first trip to Gambell. I would like to thank each person and each organization that has helped me over the years, but with so many, it is hard to know where to begin. The people of Gambell have treated me with tremendous kindness and generosity and I am truly grateful for their support. In 1987, the Session Elders of the Gambell Presbyterian Church endorsed my work on community reli- gious history. In 1990and 1991, Sivuqaq, Incorporated (the Gambell Na- tive Corporation) approved my work on community traditions and values with elder Elinor Oozeva as project manager. In 1994and 1996, the Na- tive Village of Gambell (the Gambell Indian Reorganization Act Coun- cil or IRA) endorsed new research on women’s contributions to commu- nity life and history. I appreciate the support I have received from each organization, and I am especially thankful to Mrs. Oozeva for her loving and thoughtful guidance. Of course, it is the individuals, the many people at each stage of my journey, who have made all this a reality. Regrettably, some of those I would like to thank are no longer living, and I can only commemorate them here. They are Thelma Apatiki, who welcomed me into her home as her guest and companion; Leonard Nowpakahok, whose words of wis- dom and devotion to his Yupik heritage were inspirational; Bessie Kaningok, who offered to be my Gambell mother; Wallace Ungwiluk, who gave me my first “woman’s share” of mangtak on the beach one spring; Ronald Kingeekuk, Herbert Kiyukluk, John Kulowiyi, Nathan Noongwook, and Walter Wongitillan of Savoonga, who shared their memories with me; and Linda Womkon Badten, who taught me so much and whose friendship and advice I so much appreciated. ix