For members of the King Island Native Community, Easter Sunday was an opportunity to bless hunters and providers ahead of the fast approaching hunting season. Soon, they will begin hunting walrus and seals on the Bering Sea, while others will scour the tundra for greens and berries.
“We’ll have a full cycle of fishing, of hunting, of gathering and sharing for the year ahead,” King Island Chief Megan Onders said. “This food that we eat, it’s the most nutritional, healthy food on Earth.”
She explained it had been a while since King Islanders held a gathering to bless its hunters. The village used to occupy a small, rocky island about 90 miles west of Nome—but after the Bureau of Indian Affairs closed its school in 1958, the community was forced to relocate to the mainland.
Despite living off the island for over half a century, Onders said, the community continues to hold a distinct cultural identity. This year, a group set out to revitalize this traditional blessing.
“When we’re doing the things that we are born and raised to do, that’s a sign of our strength,” she said. “As we enter a new season, we’ll pray for good weather, pray for the safety of our hunters.”
After a blessing by Father Paul, faithful King Islanders took to the dance floor—by late afternoon, the sound of drums was echoing throughout the building. These gatherings, Onders explained, are an example of how the community’s devout nature is intertwined with daily life.
“It was just very inherent with our culture to be spiritual, to be connected with the environment, to be connected with all other living beings, our marine mammals, bird species, and our dancing,” Onders said. “It’s almost one in the same to experience the spirituality in our culture and in our faith.”
Click here for the full story to learn more about King Island and modern faith in Western Alaska.
