Rural Alaska

Point Lay prepares umiaq for spring bowhead whaling season

Nearly three years after landing their first bowhead whale in a generation, residents of Point Lay are hoping to see history repeat itself – by preparing a traditional whaling boat, or umiaq, in time for the spring hunt.

Though two bowhead whales have been landed by Point Lay hunters since 2009, this would be the first time since the mid-1930s that residents have prepared their own umiaq for the spring Chukchi Sea whaling season. It's a process that captain Thomas Nukapigak is keeping a close eye on.

"I'm watching real closely, learning as I go along," said Nukapigak from a Point Lay warehouse. "It's a difficult process to make sure everything's in place."

Up to 7 beared seal skins needed

In early March, nearly a dozen women were flown to Point Lay from Barrow to help teach, prepare and sew the seal skins that would be used to cover the umiaq's wooden frame. A normal-sized umiaq requires five to seven skins of the ugruk (bearded seal), which has a hide is thicker than that of a regular seal but thinner than a walrus hide.

Whale boat captain Julius Rexford landed a 49-foot bowhead whale three years ago in Point Lay – the first in more than 70 years – knows the job can move painstakingly slow.

"Sewing the skins together, it's a long process," he said while monitoring the project. "It's not just a one or two hour ordeal – it's more like a 12 hour ordeal. It's a long process."

The process can also prove to be educational -- though a bit frustrating. The first batch of skins, which had been stored in Point Lay since last summer, were too dry to be used and had to be thrown out. Another batch, still frozen from the sub-zero Arctic Slope temperatures, was rushed to the community from Barrow.

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"It's a learning process," said Nukapigak. "I'm still learning and what I learned today will always be with me -- how to prepare skins for the umiaq."

Ready for blanket toss

Fortunately, the skins thawed overnight, which allowed workers to scrape off the hair, cut straight lines for sewing, and size the skins accordingly – larger pieces in the front and back. After some last-minute instructions and a prayer for good fortune, they got started with the actual needlework – not taking a break until the skins needed to be turned over. The stitches on the other side make the skins even more watertight, a quality that will be put to the test in the months to come. Finally, the skins are wrapped around the well-oiled frame and put outside to bleach in the sun and harden up.

For whaling captains Nukapigak and Rexford, it's the first step in a journey that will hopefully end with a successful and safe bowhead hunt and then a Nalukataq celebration in their hometown. Julius remembers bringing back the tradition in 2009, and wants the community to enjoy it again.

"When we have the blanket toss it's good to see the kids happy," said Rexford. "They're ready to get on the blanket and have their turn on there, and it's good to see the joy in their eyes and the laughter in the air when you start tossing them up. Imean, the kids love it and I used to love it when I was a kid."

Ty Hardt is the director of communications for the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. Used with permission.

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