Hello. My name is Maddy, and I
live in Alaska. My family includes my
parents and my eight brothers and
sisters. Our family elders also reside within our igloo. My
father is a brave hunter. He brings us caribou and moose meat,
and sometimes even whale! Sometimes, if we are very lucky, papa
hunts a penguin for us. The eggs are especially good! My
four oldest brothers and I ride our dog sleds to school every
week. Since it takes more than a day to reach our school, we stay
there for the rest of the week. My parents say I am lucky to have
a school at all. Most children do not go, because their parents
need them to help support the tribe. I am lucky I do not have to
spend my days hunting berries and sewing animal skins like my
mother. She also takes care of the littles of the tribe,
including my youngest brothers and sister. She has very little
time to herself.
Four days ago, we were sent home form school a day early to "be with
our families." My brothers and I did not know why this
happened. When we got home, papa said to stand outside our igloo
with him and look the the east. When we looked, we caught a
glimpse of the sun! It was the most beautiful thing I had ever
seen. We stayed outdoors for three hours, watching the sun.
We are so lucky to see the sun in our lifetime--it is only visible once
in every sixty years! We treasure the sight of our sun, holding
it against the darkness that we must live in for sixty more years.
Today, my pet moose finally grew his antlers for the first time!
His rack is even bigger than the rack of my brother's moose!
My brother and I often race on our moose--mine is smaller and lighter,
and usually wins. Now that my moose has a rack, we can have
butting competitions with our moose! Our wolves also race with
us. They are very fast: faster than our moose. My wolves
usually win in races. It seems my animals are the best!
Today, my favorite dog was attacked by a wolf, and he died. He
was my lead sled dog, so now I have to ride with my brother to find a
new dog. I am sad for my dog, but I will get a new one.
These things happen. The dangers are part of our harsh life in
Alaska. but Alaska is still a beautiful place to live.