On the Village of Alaganik, Qayaqs, Umiaks and Boat Design
Berlin Ethnological Museum (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
John F.C. Johnson (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
John F.C. Johnson (Contributor)
John Johnson speaks to the image on the cover of Eyak Legends of the village of Alaganik (on the Copper River) which means "mistake" or "wrong turn." He says Alaganik had the distinction of having the northernmost totem pole in Alaska and how it was used to help tell time. He describes the traditional bifurcated bow design on the front of a qayaq, noting regional differences in design. He also describes how Russian designs influenced boat building in Prince William Sound and shares that an umiaq would have come with a rudder and a sail.
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