Newtok is going to be in the news again and I can say "I was there!"
It was amazing to witness first-hand the power of the wind and weather. Although, I would not say the weather is what was impressing me during my long-term substitute teaching position here at Newtok, Alaska.
My greatest impression has been with the people. I thank the staff of Newtok Ayaprun School for welcoming me into their team. I have been substituting for a teacher since October 1st. I have already been to one Christmas party, a movie night...
Looking at the size of this community and the school I keep thinking: Gosh... This looks just the size of Russian Mission when I was in Elementary School. Lots of memories.
I keep telling the kids... "You don't know it but you are in a very historical place. You are one of the last people that can say 'I went to school in Newtok.'" I would look out into the village and remember my Grandfather showing me places in Ohogamiut. He would look over the remains of the village remembering where things used to be. Each time I walk down the boardwalk or look around the village here in Newtok I find myself wondering if my Grandfather felt the same sense of nostalgia when he realized that the village will soon be empty if he stood thinking, "in a few years there will be nothing here."
I often wonder if that was the reason my family returned to Ohogamiut for summer fishing - because of the family we left buried there. The feeling of community and people resonating through time - felt even only grass remained where houses once stood, where roads intersected.
For this little while at least I can say, "I was in Newtok when all those houses were there..."
