ALASKA (USA), St. George Island, The Pribilofs - December 1999
Restore traditional Aleut skinboats
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These flexible, seaworthy vessels were traditionally used by Aleut people for hunting, ferrying supplies and people from larger vessels to the region's islands, and for extended trips through the frigid, turbulent waters of the Bering Sea region. The last of these boats in the Aleutian region are on the Pribilof Islands. These islands are home in the summer to nearly a million breeding fur seals, and are the most populous seabird nesting sites in the Northern Hemisphere. They are also home to the largest Aleut population in the world. The community of St. George is restoring the baidars and will use them to litter tourists and supplies off ships as well as monitor the coastline and wildlife.*
UPDATE July 2004 - The white oak required for the ½ size baidar frame was delivered by barge from Washington to St. George. As the planned space to build the boat was not up to current building code standards, the village corporation arranged for a new work space. However, the current site is currently tenant occupied, so the village must wait until the site is vacant.
UPDATE January 2005 - The materials for the boat restoration were purchased and have been secured. According to project liaison Karin Holser, who is caretaking the government facilities on St. George this winter, "the city has all but shut down" due to desperate financial times. Karin Holser is safeguarding the tools and materials purchased.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu
Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation
