Help understanding the lingo.

 Handful of linguistic tidbits we've learned, so far...

(We'll  add to the list  as we go, assuming our learning doesn't stop here!)

"The village" typically refers not to one particular, specific village to any or all villages.  Can be almost shrot hand for, "the village life," "the village part of the start," or "the village, as opposed to the city."  Used in an actual sentence: native Alaskans from the city are increasingly interested in fancy cars and new clothes, but native Alaskans from the village are still very traditional in that they place primary importance on family and belonging.

"The bush" is probably pretty clear, but, just in case, it basically refers to the wild part of Alaska, the part with no cities and no roads. It's important that the area referenced must be both wild and remote.  The oil fields are not the bush, because they're not wild.  The areas outside Fairbanks like Fox or Chena Hot Springs are not the bush, because they're not remote.  Used in an actual sentence: regional services is the collection of library materials we have set aside because it's most often sent out to the bush, rather than checked out by people here.

"The north slope" or sometimes just, "the slope," is the oil fields in the northern, arctic part of Alaska.  A number of men in Fairbanks actually work there, flying out for three- to eight-week shifts before flying back for a few weeks off.  Those who work for oil companies typically have shorter shifts and better work than those who work for contractors.  Used in an actual sentence: My husband won't be back until September; he's working a five week shift on the north slope.

 Various Terms Alaskans Use for Alaskans

All of these are more interesting than, "Hoosier"...

Originally posted to the Alaska Living Yahoo Group by, "Marlene."

Sourdough -- someone has learned the ropes, especially oldtimers, miner, adventurers etc.,  They learned to carry their sourdough stater in a bag around their neck to keep it from freezing -- hence were odiferous -- and therefore the term.

Native Alaskan -- our indiginous peoples (Yupik, Athabascan etc -- there are many different groups).

Life-long Alaskan -- someone other than Native who was born here.

Old Family -- descendents of the original settlers (especially in Anchorage)

Short timers -- anyone here for a shorter time than you.

Long timers -- anyone here for a longer time than you.

Pre- and post pipeline -- this speaks for itself and is an important consideration in the minds of the pre-pipeline crowd.   

The Alaskan Take on Alaska

The joke is pretty corny, but it does illustrate a few different aspects of the way Alaskans seem to feel about their own state...

Posted to the Alaska Living Yahoo Group by, "Marty in Nome."

Eventually, Michael the Archangel found him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."

"Balance?" Inquired Michael, still confused

God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth but cold and harsh while southern Europe is going to be poor but sunny and pleasant. "I have made some lands abundant in water and other lands parched deserts. This one will be extremely hot and while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land mass and said "What's that one?"

"Ah," said God. "That's ALASKA -- the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, streams, hills, and forests. The people from ALASKA are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!"

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I put in JUNEAU!"  

True Alaskan Culture.

 Probably not the most uplifting bit of cultural information I'd like to dispense on this page....

But this is definitely a form of gaming you're not going to find many other places in the US...

The Nenana Ice Classic.