The Alaska Pipeline

This documentary was about the building of the Alaskan pipeline. Men came from all over the U.S. to
work on the pipeline. The pipeline wasn't able to be built for years because Alaskan Natives and
environmenalists tied the industry in lawsuits. Environmentalists tested the limits of the law pushing for
studies for every single detail. The engineering plan was also very faulty. The pipeline would not work
because of the permafrost. The permafrost would melt as the hot oil flowed through the pipe. The
unsupported pipeline would buckle then rip apart leaking oil everywhere. More than 400 miles of the
line would have to be built above ground. In October 1973, Arab states an embargo of oil to the states.
This was the final push to give Alyeska the green light to build. It took three years, over 70,000 workers,
and eight billion dollars to build the trans-Alaska pipeline.

Building a context for Stories and Traditions
The article explains how knowledge is passed through stories. Native cultures explained how humans
used to be closer to animals and could understand their wisdom. This wisdom has been passed down
from generation to generation. Elders would tell these legends normally when everyone sits down to
eat. Their meal would contain healthy food that provided them with vitamins and energy. In many
cultures, the stories would be accompanied by story dances that help illustrate the legend.
It seems like a very rich culture to grow and thrive in. I would've liked growing up listening to my
grandparents tell stories about how they hunted a huge polar bear. It's an environment in which
everyone can participate and enjoy time together
Alaska Natives and Health
Old medicine was made out of parts of various plants. The most common ways medicine were used
were brewed into tea or crushed up into a paste and applied directly to affected area. Over time, old
medicine died out. In 1920's when white men came, they introduced many other types of diseases that
old medicine could not cure. Also, Christian Missionaries accused traditional healers as satanic believers
in superstition. Some traditional medicine is still used today but modern medicine dominates most of
today's healing.
Though it's sad that several traditions were destroyed, I'm glad we have modern medicine. Without
modern medicine, people would die from mild sicknesses like the flu.
Modern and Alaskan Native? Yes.
This article talks about the struggle of being Alaskan Native and living in the modern world. With so
many other cultures mixing together, it's hard to find integrity within oneself towards their culture. The
article also mentions how Alaskan Native's are stereotyped and set apart from everyoen else. By only
having Natives as traditional and caucasian as modern, it teaches later generations that they are
different from each other.
It is not right to set any group of people that are labeled "different" aside. Though it's wrong,
segregation and antisemitism is everywhere. There is some prejudice against any race, religion, and
qualities that set a specific group apart.
Resources in Our Lives
In my family, we fish a little bit, but we don't hunt. We also use a wood stove to heat our house in the
winter. Without natural resources, we wouldn't be where we are today. Burning fossil fuels, and also
using other renewable resources, we've been able to generate electricity. Electricity is used every day at
all times. I'm using electricity right now to post this. What we could live without is the burning of fossil
duels. It is the easiest way to get energy but it pollutes the Earth and will eventually make the world
uninhabitable.