Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Module VII - Population and Settlement

No matter where you are, we're glad you're here!


Essential Questions

  • Anchorage Tent City, Ship Creek Area 1915
    VILDA UAA-hmc-0778-14-1-2
    How have the settlement patterns of Alaska been a reflection of the natural landscape, distance, resources, and the economy?
  • How have the ways Alaskans have devised education and health care systems been both a reflection of socio-cultural norms of the dominant culture as well as a response to the challenges of providing services in a vast geographic area? 
  • Anchorage Skyline  toursaver.com
    To what degree is there distinctiveness in the art, literature, science, recreation, and cultural institutions of Alaska?  In what way do these contribute to, or reflect, a unique Alaska identity?


ENGAGE

View of Nenana from AK Railroad 
ca. 1920's - VILDA  ASL-P44-06-099
Where Why?
Fairbanks?  Juneau?  Anchorage?  How about Platinum? Tin City?  Akulurak? Paimute? Fort Yukon? Galena? Barrow?  King Cove? Seward?

What is the why of these settlements?  Why have some grown and prospered and others are only known by reviewing old maps or talking to local elders?

Population and settlement of Alaska by the newcomers, primarily Euro-americans, has followed the stages of economic development.  Waves of newcomers came and then left with the boom/bust cycle of resource extraction and construction of infrastructure.
Petersburg Waterfront  ca. 1912
VILDA ASL-P20-135

However, many stayed and turned to diverse livelihoods to sustain themselves. As they traversed Alaska on its waterways and land trails, they encountered and changed forever the way of life for the Alaska Natives.

They put additional pressure on the subsistence resources while at the same time introducing material goods and aspects of culture to which Alaska Natives adapted.  Cultural exchange and change occurred, with consequences both positive and negative.


Matanuska Valley Colony Project
Palmer 1935 VILDA AMRC-b70-19-106
Depending on the why of a settlement, it either took on the look of impermanence with its transient population,  or encouraged the establishment of family friendly institutions like schools and churches. 

There are many categories of settlements in Alaska during its American period of 1967-present. How many will you detect?


Flat City ca. 1910
VILDA ASL-P277-004-1
Alaska has a considerable number of abandoned settlements, both Native and Euro-american. Why? Ophir? Holikachuk? Iditarod? Hope? Sunrise? What happened? What will happen in the future to settlements like Shishmaref and Newtok?

The story of Alaska's population and settlement is the story of all of Alaska's peoples, Native and all others. 

With an understanding of this story, can a forecast be made for Alaska's future?



EXAMINE
  • Treadwell July 4, 1908
    VILDA - ASL-P40-32
    Since the 1870's, what are the types of communities that have evolved in Alaska? 
  • What have been the population patterns that paralleled Alaska settlements?
  • What are the reasons for Alaska population trends? (Identify reasons for increases and decreases.)


EXPLORE
 




Nome Beach in the Gold Days ca. 1899
VILDA  ASL-P45-1054
From the Alaska History course, read:
From Alaska's Heritage, read:


EXPLORE SOME MORE....
Visit these links:

Alaska Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

This is an incredible source of historic and current information on every community in Alaska. Information on this source will be helpful to you personally and professionally.   Share this site with students.   Spend some time on this page and look at the various categories of information.  

Look especially at these links and notice the type of data available.
Look up your community.  What do you discover?  What is the why, when, where, who, and how of your community?



EXTEND
Abandoned Buildings - Kennecott  1953
VILDA  UAA-hmc-1071-f7-11
Dictionary of Alaska Place Names by Donald Orth, published as Geological Survey Professional Paper 567 in 1967 and reprinted in 1971 is a treasure!  

It is an alphabetical list of geographic names, both historic and current, of all Alaska.  It includes all physical and cultural features (settlements) and provides lat/long coordinates, origin, history, various spellings, nature of site, references by explorers and others.  

Unfortunately, it is not available in an easily accessible  format (The pdf file through the UAF Library is HUGE.)  However, if you can ever get your hands on this, spend some time browsing.  Some schools have a copy, as do the major Alaska libraries.  Occasionally a used copy is available for purchase.  Keep your antennae out for finding this outstanding Alaska reference.

Musings
Over the couple of decades, there has been a gradual migration of residents from rural areas to rural hubs or to urban areas.  This is true is all regions of the state. Anchorage is the biggest "village" in Alaska with a large population of residents from rural areas.   

Some rural communities have had to close their schools due to diminished enrollment.   Why?  What does this mean for rural cultures? Rural subsistence lifestyles? An understanding  and appreciation of rural lifeways? Of rural residents adapting to an urban environment?   What do you think?

What's Next?
Now on to a topic that is near and dear to our hearts - Education.
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