Northwest History. Alaska. Eskimos.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1936
• Subjects: Eskimos; prolific writer; North Star; Seattle; Alaskan Eskimos; the bureau of Indian affairs; Herman Sanwick; loyalty; appreciation; natives; the Wainwright district; cigarrtte tobacco; parka; ivory; walrus; Chief Engineer; Apaata; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Alaska; Arctic; Indian; Pacific; Parka; Barrow; eskimo*; walrus*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/91039

Eskimos Learn To Write Notes: Rapidly Becoming Educated To Ways Of White Man./One A Prolific Writer./Continually Sending Notes To Chief Engineer Sanwick Of Federal Ship North Star. ESKIMOS LEARN TO WRITE NOTES Rapidly Becoming Educated to Ways of White Man ONE A PROLIFIC WRITER Continually Sending Notes to Chief Engineer Sanwick of Federal Ship North Star. Seattle, Dec. 26.—OP)—The Alaskan Eskimo, rapidly becoming educated in the ways of the white man by the bureau of Indian affairs, today is a prolific letter writer. The following letters, written to Chief Engineer Herman Sanwick of the bureau's ship North Star, illustrates the great strides Eskimos are making with English. Though humorous in part, these letters show the human side of the Eskimo—his loyalty, appreciation, good common sense and perception. Herman is one of the best-known men along the Alaskan coast and receives letters from many natives. The writer of these letters is Apaata, a 60-year-old Eskimo of the Wainwright district, far within the Arctic circle and about 90 miles west of Barrow, Alaska. Samples Of Letters Excerpts from his letters follow: Dear Friend Chief Engineer: I very sorry because last fall not come here North Star. I hope you come, last fall not come. This season not much kill walrus because our teacher said not kill too much walrus. They made iaw too kill a walrus only four times. * * * If you sell my old harpoon head, I have some more here. Your truly, APAATA. Another note: If you get some money from people buy my ivory, thanks buy me some heavy cloth for parka. Also my wife order some ring sizes this (drawing of wife's finger) and daughter size (another drawing). My wife says if she find some curious (curios) for you keep. I like six or twice more pencils of red. Yours truly, APAATA. And another letter: My Dear Mr. Chief Engineer: If you like something next year you can write letter. I have no money but reindeer skin and meat. If you have some cigarrette tobacco I like. I never hunt fox. If you see me in boat you can have some carved ivory. I like have heavy deer skin because cold here all winter. * * * Lighter Pleased Him Dear Friend Chief: Boys like my lighter (cigarette lighter given him by Herman). I never sell lighter to anybody only I use. Since day I said to my teacher too wireless to you something nice words. That you gave me some money I sell some for deer meat. Dear Boss Chief: My wife found this long ago rich man knife. I never sell to * * * since carvings I wait for you. My wife found old ivory to make you something next year. I like to get some ice pick small one to dig in ground find old ivory. I going big hunt tomorrow. Kill big supply. Another note: I never get seal. Only few men caught seal. Never get walrus. This winter only two three walrus I caught. Then I never carve ivory walrus. I remember you all time. Yours truly, APAATA.