Recalling Maggie Roberts, a Much Revered Gwich’in Indian Elder
Caribou hooves
©Bert Gildart: Yesterday’s news from Gwich’in Indian friends in Alaska informed on the passing of Maggie Roberts, December 26. She was much revered and once served as a “traditional” village chief. She lived most of her life in Venetie, Alaska, one of the several villages in the Yukon Flats School district where Janie and I once taught school.
We met her in 1991 and over a period of years Maggie became one of our favorite people. Janie got to know her well, and visited her on many occasions, accompanied at times by one of her “grandchildren,” Kenneth Frank, who has remained one of our very best friends.
Maggie’s stories and words were poignant, and were particularly moving because they dated back to a time when groups were still nomadic.
Those were tough times, but she survived them all, and at times even made light of them.
MAGGIE RECALLS
“…Mostly those were really good times, “said Maggie. “But they weren’t always that way. Sometimes our dad would only come back with one squirrel. Sarah Frank would divide the meat and we’d drink the juice from the squirrel.
“And we’d look to the caribou hooves [provide sustenance when boiled.]…”
Our purpose in recording the stories and making the pictures was to draw attention to their rugged way of life, and to the importance to them of preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We did so by later returning to the area as journalists and working on magazine and newspaper assignments. We count the decade as one of our most intellectually rewarding, for we learned about the mettle of a people.
L to R: Maggie Roberts prepares hide for tanning, in the old way; Kenneth Frank, a relative, continues the family’s subsistence way
of life at Old John Lake; Maggie Roberts hanging fish to be dried for later consumption.
Maggie was always willing to help. Her stories could take up much of an afternoon or evening, so for us, her narrations live on.
We’re saddened by the passing of this wise elderly lady, and wish her family and friends the very best during this very difficult time.
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RECALLING THE LIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GWICH’IN INDIAN COMMUNITY :
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
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