Eskimo to the World

I am Trina Landlord and this is my blog. In a past life, Eskimo to the World documented my adventures in New York – where in minute everything can change. Much like my life changed when I moved from Alaska to the 'city that never sleeps'. From the biggest state in America to the most populous city in the United States. From the immaculate nature of the Chugach Mountains, Yukon River and Bering Sea to the urban tundra of sky scrapers, enclaves of business and cultural capitals and the nation's foremost trendsetters. From 'the great land' to arguably the 'greatest city on earth'. I made a 5,000 mile prodigious leap from Anchorage to New York City – and back. The determination of Yup’ik peoples to survive in harsh Arctic conditions had given me the foundation to survive on streets of New York, I will continue to chronicle the parallels of both worlds.
November 5

Alaska 101

* Alaska is as big as England, France, Italy and Spain combined

* If New York City had the same population density as Alaska, only 16 people would be living in Manhattan

November 4

Confessions of a Modern Nomad

Context: VB and I were discussing moving around.

VB: I would love to hear about what’s behind all the moving — from the village to Anchorage, diff. neighborhoods in Anchorage, then Europe, New York.

VB: One place must have been nicer/prettier/friendlier than another, but they were always on the look out for a better place, a place to better sustain/maintain life.

Me: Perhaps my mother’s quest for always moving instilled that in me but on a global level!

VB: Well — same principle, different scale?

VB: Seems like there are two principles at work — what to not do … where not to go, when to leave, what to quit, which city to move from.

VB: Also — what’s out there? what’s could be better?

Me: Yes! my father has commented OVER AND OVER again (something like): at some point in time you need to stop expecting that the next place you go is going to bring happiness. you need to settle down and come at peace within yourself.

VB: But then, the question is always — where?

Me:  I KNOW! he says at some point in time I need to settle down with one sustainable job.

VB: There’s that word again — sustain/maintain

VB: You’re moving away from New York City. What made it unsustainable, maintainable - what life could it not support? This could lead back to a discussion of other moves.

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Bloody Fingers

  • Me: Hi Maurluq!
  • Maurluq: My grandma said, "I'm glad you called when my hands weren't bloody!" (referring to cutting up Native foods)
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Urban Misfits

Urban Misfits

October 29

Practice, practice, practice...

Last night I intended to go to Inupiatun Language Circle but found myself at Ingrimiut Yup’ik Eskimo Dance Practice.

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Talk of the Tundra: Life on the Urban Tundra

Chinatown, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, was my home for eight months. Just beyond my doorstep was a whole new world. Within several city blocks were new smells, sights, sounds and signs. On the streets of Mott, Mulberry and Canal and along East Broadway were Chinese greengrocers and fishmongers. The jewelry district was on Canal between Mott and Bowery, along with many Asian and American banks. West of Broadway were a gazillion Chinese street vendors selling imitation perfumes, watches and handbags, and more than 200 Chinese restaurants.

The population in Chinatown is between 90,000 and 100,000 and probably growing, quite the opposite from where I grew up, on the banks of the Yukon River in Mountain Village, with a population of 800, in the Calista Region founded by my great-grandfather, Chekohak.
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Sparck Triplets: Cika, Amy and Michelle

Sparck Triplets: Cika, Amy and Michelle

Cika Sparck and Senator Lisa Murkowski

Cika Sparck and Senator Lisa Murkowski

ArXotica Launch Party

The Sparck Triplets - Cika, Amy and Michelle - hosted a launch party during AFN Convention of their tundra botanical designer skin-care line. Quyunglii, a serum made its debut as their first product.

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Begich made remarks as did candidate for governor, Bob Poe.

Read more here.

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Umiivik, Naungagiaq and Miisaaq “These boots are made for walking…” AFN Convention Banquet 2009

Umiivik, Naungagiaq and Miisaaq

“These boots are made for walking…”

AFN Convention Banquet 2009

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Julie and Sassa Kitka

Julie Kitka, AFN President and daughter Sassa Kitka, RN, help spread the work about H1N1 prevention at the 2009 AFN Convention

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Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, 2009 Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley and her father, Willie Iggiagruk Hensley gave the keynote address at the annual AFN Convention in Anchorage. Below is an excerpt of her powerful address: Elizabeth Hensley Elizabeth started out sweetly, announcing that her father was her number one mentor as well as her hiking buddy, but soon the 26-year-old law school grad turned up the heat, speaking seriously and honestly about the opposition and challenges faced by Alaska Natives. The war that engulfs us today is not a war of arms, she said, but a war of minds, fought through land management plans, subsistence laws, and resource plans. “This war is just as bloody and as damaging as any fought with guns and knives,” she said. Elizabeth Hensley also acknowledged the problems of substance abuse, suicide, and sexual abuse. “How many of you have cried for hours without knowing why?” she asked, “and how many of you have drank or smoked weed or used meth … because of a deep emptiness in your stomach?” That emptiness, she said, is a mourning for a loss of community and a loss of ancestors, and it’s a grief that has passed from one generation to the next. Elizabeth paused during her speech to wipe away tears, and when she finished, the standing ovation, coupled with cheers and whoops, went on for a full 30 seconds as father and daughter stood and smiled.

Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, 2009

Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley and her father, Willie Iggiagruk Hensley gave the keynote address at the annual AFN Convention in Anchorage. Below is an excerpt of her powerful address:

Elizabeth Hensley

Elizabeth started out sweetly, announcing that her father was her number one mentor as well as her hiking buddy, but soon the 26-year-old law school grad turned up the heat, speaking seriously and honestly about the opposition and challenges faced by Alaska Natives.

The war that engulfs us today is not a war of arms, she said, but a war of minds, fought through land management plans, subsistence laws, and resource plans.

“This war is just as bloody and as damaging as any fought with guns and knives,” she said.

Elizabeth Hensley also acknowledged the problems of substance abuse, suicide, and sexual abuse.

“How many of you have cried for hours without knowing why?” she asked, “and how many of you have drank or smoked weed or used meth … because of a deep emptiness in your stomach?”

That emptiness, she said, is a mourning for a loss of community and a loss of ancestors, and it’s a grief that has passed from one generation to the next.

Elizabeth paused during her speech to wipe away tears, and when she finished, the standing ovation, coupled with cheers and whoops, went on for a full 30 seconds as father and daughter stood and smiled.