Life at the Top of the World

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Life at the Top of the World

• Sally Nie
• LIBR 500
• sallyn_at_interchange.ubc.ca

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For the last two years, Ive been living in
Barrow, Alaska. . .
Barrow
Arctic Ocean
Alaska
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I was a librarian at Ipalook Elementary School

• Largest Elementary School in Alaska
• Serving 700 students!
• Over 20,000 resources in the library!
• Do We Know Dewey? Boy, Do We!
• Hosts the only tree in Alaskas arctic! (by the
  library of course!)

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My husband, Matt, was a teacher at the high
school.

• He taught English, Journalism and Leadership.
• He helped train cross country runners on the
  vast tundra surrounding the school.

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Who Lives in Barrow?
Caucasian
Inupiat (Alaskan Inuit)
Filipino
Others including Macedonian, Korean, American
Samoan, and more!

• 4,600 people in all!

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Wildlife of Barrow

• Ptarmigan
• Caribou
• Bowhead Whale
• Seal
• Walrus
• Lemmings
• Snowy Owl
• Arctic Fox
• Polar Bear

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Things Ive Eaten in Barrow

• Broiled Ptarmigan
• Stewed Caribou
• Moose Chilli
• Halibut
• Salmon
• Seal Flipper
• Broiled Muktuk
• Bowhead whale

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What makes Barrow Different?

• NO
• Trees
• Sunshine / darkness
• depending on the season
• Shopping Malls / Stores
• Movie Theatres
• Bars / Pubs
• Milk (for under 10.00)

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So, what is there to do???

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Go for a Swim!
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Play Hockey!

• Even at 30 below Fahrenheit, hockey fanatics
  (such as myself!) were out playing hockey. We
  had a canvas tent to block the wind!

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Go Out to Eat

• Where else but. . .

Pepe's North of the Border
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Go on a Polar Bear Tour!

• And try not to see one too close!

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Make Bubbles Freeze

• When the weather was cold enough, bubbles froze
  into a cellophane consistency.
• You could hold a bubble in the palm of your hand!

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Celebrate!

• Be it Inupiat cultural celebrations or Filipino
  socials. . .there was always something to
  celebrate in Barrow!

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If youre interested in finding out more about
Alaskas arctic. . .check out these resources

• North Slope Borough School District
• http//www.nsbsd.org
• Inupiat History
• http//www.co.north-slope.ak.us/ihlc
• KBRW Radio Barrow, Alaska
• http//www.kbrw.org/
• North Slope Borough
• http//www.north-slope.org/