Northwest History. Aviation 8. Celebrations, United States.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1935
• Subjects: Christmas; Point Barrow; Alaska; north pole; Dr. Henry Griest; Presbyterian missionary; Eskimo; natives; handicraft; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Aviation; Christmas Point; North Pole; Pacific; Barrow; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/86339

Thin Christmas At Point Barrow. Thin Christmas At Point Barrow. BARROW, Alaska, Dec. 23. UP)— Old St. Nick's Christmas pickings are going to be a trifle slim for Barrowites this year. When the bewhiskered gentleman puts in here on his final stop before returning to the north pole, he'll have little left for this northern outpost's natives. It's this way, explains Dr. Henry Griest, Presbyterian missionary and "Santa" to Eskimo thousands: Things may have been all right elsewhere in the world, but up here—well, not so good. Fur catches have been small, trading negligible. Lacking the wherewithal to buy fineries and gadgets, the natives turned to handicraft. One old Eskimo has made oars, boots, parkas, and prepared skins. He'll give frozen fish is nothing else. Everybody has new and colorful hand-made boots, says Dr. Greist, and they'll all be garbed brightly for the occasion.