SUSAN HOPE

“I am on the Patkotak Whaling Crew. I am mainly their support. Basically when they first catch a whale, I help them cut, prep and cook, and sew. And we cook some more just before we come to Nalukataq. It takes at least a month to prepare for Nalukataq. Maybe six weeks. I was born into the crew. In fact, the day I was born, my grandfather who was the original Patkotak whaling crew captain, caught a whale. I love coming together with family and celebrating. And the assurance that there is more than enough food to be generous. It’s the best feeling. Or when people ask for food, we don’t have to say no. We can say yes, I have enough, come get some." — Susan Hope is Inupiaq and lives in Utqiagvik, Alaska.