Life at Swift Water Place: Northwest Alaska at the threshold of European contact
Date
2019
Authors
Anderson, Douglas D., editor
Anderson, Wanni W., editor
University of Alaska Press, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The book describes the lifeways of the Inupiat of the lower Kobuk River Valley around the beginning of the 19th century, as gleaned from archaeological and oral historic research. Spanning the time just prior to and following the arrival of Otto von Kotzebue to the shores of Kotzebue Sound, our account focuses on that momentous point in history that set the stage for the incorporation of Inupiat into Western culture and the World economy. It describes what may well have been Northwest Alaska's most powerful riverine nation - the Amilgaqtuayaaqmiut - and its interactions with neighboring Inupiaq and Athapaskan peoples at the time. We make the case that this powerful nation was in fact a major political entity, one of several nations comprising the three regional Inupiaq groupings along the Kobuk River described by Ernest S. Burch, Jr. in his University of Alaska Press publications, "The Inupiaq Eskimo Nations of Northwest Alaska" (1998) and "Social Life in Northwest Alaska" (2006). Contrary to Burch who considered the 3 regional groupings as primary societal formations, we see the Amilgaqtuayaaqmiut and other similarly organized social groups as the region's primary polities.--Provided by publisher.
Description
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Rights Access
Access is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.
Subject
Inupiat -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Inupiat -- Alaska -- Kobuk River Valley -- History -- 19th century
Inupiat -- First contact with other peoples -- Alaska -- Kobuk River Valley