Northwest History. Alaska. Eskimos.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1934
• Subjects: eels; Nome; Alaska; Indians; natives; Yukon river; salmon; Alaska rivers; gift; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Pacific; Yukon; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/90805

Eels, Smoked And Frozen, Will Be The Staple Diet Of Alaska Indians This Winter. NOME, Alaska, Nov. 23.— (U.P.) — Eels, smoked and frozen, will be the staple diet of Alaska Indians this winter. Thousands of jubilant natives were camped tonight along the banks of the great Yukon river to cash in on the greatest eel run in memory of men. Such hordes of the snake-like fish forced their way through the ice-filled waters that only dip nets were needed to capture them in quantities. Eel flesh is scorned by most white residents of Alaska, but regarded as a delicacy by natives. GIFT OF GODS Yukon Indians regarded the run as a gift of the gods. Few salmon passed up the river this season, and prospects for adequate winter food supplies were poor. Eels spawn in deep ocean waters, but spend parts of their lives in fresh water streams. Large runs appear annually in Alaska rivers, but none of the proportions of that in the Yukon was on record. Some of the Indians were curing their catch by smoking. However, many were not taking time for that. The eels soon froze solid, and will keep through the winter.