Kivgiq, 2011, part 5, day 1d: The feast of Kivgiq, followed by a Singspiration night of Gospel singing
Friday, February 18, 2011 at 2:04AM 
Half-an-hour after the dancing ended, it was time for the Feast of Kivgiq. I was walking aimlessly among the tables set up in the gymnasium of Ipalook Elementary School with my camera when Janie Snyder, middle, invited me to sit at this table. So I did. Soon, the blessing was said.
The lady to the left is Ida Alexie, from Bethel. I can't remember her last name. The lady to the right is from Kotzebue and her last name is Booth. I can't remember her first. If anyone gives me her name, I will add it in later.
Then people got in line... and it was a long line, much longer than you see here.
The line filed into the serving area of the cafeteria - on one side, there was standard American fare...
...and on the other, Iñupiaq food, provided by the sea, rivers, land and sky. I got some of both. I enjoyed the Iñupiaq food most, except maybe for the pie. I really loved the pie.
It just happened to be the birthday of Ethel Nungasuk. Not only did she get cake, but she got some extra bags of Iñupiaq food to take home.
Roy and Ida Alexie, from Bethel. Roy insisted that I call him Grandpa, so I did. It made me feel like a young kid again.
Once the feast was done, it was time for the Singspiration to start. I should note that in every village on the Arctic Slope, Wednesday night is Singspiration night.
The Kivgiq singspiration is extra special, because singers and musicians from all across the Arctic come to participate.
Above is Herman Ahsoak, Fred Elavgak, Tom Opie - all of Barrow - and Johnny Nayukok of Atqasuk, in his 80's and still making good music.
The entire congregation joined in for the first hymn, "How Great Thou Art." I've stated this before, but until you have heard this hymn performed by an Iñupiat, Alaska Native, choir or congregation, you haven't really heard it at all. Elvis sang it and he did a good job, but nothing like the Iñupiat.
My mother loved that song, so when she died I made certain it was on her funeral program. My cousin Karen played the organ and she did a beautiful job, but I was so disappointed in the singing! I wanted to hear it as I hear it here.
Well, there is a much bigger story involving this song, my mother and the Iñupiat choir. I've told only a small piece of it. One day, perhaps not until after I succeed at starting my online electronic magazine, I will tell the full story.
Maybe I will make that story the first story that I tell in my magazine.
Don't be surprised if you read it and cry.
Rex Okakok and Wesley Aiken, father of my friend, Larry Aiken, sing "How Great Thou Art." When Kivgiq was restored in 1988, Rex was the force that spearheaded the research and organization of it.
Barrow started the group singing, and there was laughter, too.
Mayor Itta, his wife Elsie and a good number of his extended family, including his mother, Molly, sang several gospel songs.
Gospel singers from Tikigaq - Point Hope.
Jonathan Aiken, Jr.
Whyborn Nungasuk of Atqasuk plays his harmonica. Once, when I was hanging out in Atqasuk, Whyborn invited me over for fresh caribou. He told me how one time a year or so earlier, he had been out hunting, had done well and was coming home with his four wheeler and wagon packed with caribou.
He had a little accident and the four wheeler flipped in a pool of water, trapping him beneath it, pushing him down into the water. The four wheeler was so heavily laden with caribou that he could not budge it. It was going to crush and drown him and he was helpless to get out from under it.
So he called out to Jesus. Then he told me he felt what he is certain was the hands of Jesus take hold of that four wheeler and help pull it off of him.
Gospel singers from Wainwright.
Margaret Opie, her granddaughter Makku, Josiah Patokak and Darlene Matumeak join other members of the Suurimaaŋitchuat Dancers in singing a hymn in memory of the late Warren Matumeak - the Atiŋa Jesus," was composed by Warren himself. Suurimaaŋitchuat also sang Warren's arrangement of "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus."
Barrow High School singers.
Kaktovik singers. At any Singspiration, people are reminded of loved ones lost and there is comfort to be found in the tears that are shed.
At this last Kivgiq Singspiration, those who shed tears in memory of loved ones lost included me as well.
Kaktovik.
Baby Alfred Leon Tukle, in the crowd.
Katheryn Aishanna, Kaktovik.
Anaktuvuk Pass.
Lela Ahgook and Rachel Riley of Anaktuvuk Pass.
Nuiqsut.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Andrew Gordon, Aklavik, Northwest Territories.
This guy can sing! And he gets everybody going.
And hey - here' something... I have been listening to Hank Williams on my iPhone headphones as I have been working on this - a mix of Gospel, barroom, broken hearts and country in general.
Guess what song just came on?
Praise the Lord, I Saw the Light!
Hank Williams!
I think he would have enjoyed Singspiration. He would have joined in, too.
And that ends it for me tonight. It's after 2:00 AM. I better stop so that I can do some Facebooking and send an email or two out before I go to bed and start working with my Kivgiq photos all over again.
More Kivgiq to come.
Lots more!
Reader Comments (7)
Bill, I've always enjoyed reading your blogs; and I have to admit I am a follower here. I just had to say thank you for pointing out that my papa (Rex Okakok) was the one that revived Kivgiq! It was a lot of work, I was a young kid back then; but I remember. All we are proud of, is that Kivgiq is back and bringing family and friends back together again!! But the pride in me makes me smile when you mentioned my papa!! :) ... Thank you Bill for all you do!!!
Such goodness! The picture right under Rex Okakok singing of the two ladies laughing.. hahaha that was too funny! There faces were priceless..
Beautiful pictures. I felt as if I were there. When you have time, would you please identify the Iñupiaq food? Thank you.
Really nice pictures. I see my aunts Janie Snyder, Rosabelle Rexford, Ethel Nungasak and my uncle Whyborn Nungasak, really nice pictures. I really enjoyed Kivgiq also. Thanks Bill Hess for all your work, nice job.
I love the story of Whyborn Nungasuk! What a testimony! Thank you for the stories and all the beautiful pictures, Bill Ness! God bless you.
Your photos are wonderful. But I hope someday you will link to a video or youtube of the singing so we can "hear" as well as "see".
I'm really enjoying re-living kivgiq through your lens, Bill. You got some beautiful ones here.
Aaron