A vast wilderness of untapped potential of natural resources, the United States government decided a more cautious route by making Alaska part of the United States, including all indigenous people. Native Alaskans suddenly found themselves living in the United States the moment politicians found a way to get around traditional Native American values. Tribal laws mattered about as much as they didn’t get in the way of progress. The government sliced up the land, harvested natural resources, and the Alaskan Natives continue to get government subsidies.
“My mother saw a different kind of weathering because, by the 1950s, her heritage was recognized but not accepted. Instead of wiping out the Native Alaskans, as they did with the Native Americans, after statehood in 1959, the government chose assimilation over genocide.
“The BIA brought education and English Language to Alaska. It wasn’t any better under the Russian Orthodox background rooted in our history, but it had the same premise: Assimilation over tribalism. My mother was a victim of political ignorance. They beat Native Alaskans for speaking any other language except English. They beat children who wore anything not purchased in a store.
“My mother wore mukluks, kuspuks, and ate traditional foods every day she attended school. Every day the teachers whipped my mother. They stripped the clothes from her back and burned them. They tried to humiliate her. Every day she stood stronger, endured the beatings until she didn’t have to go to school anymore.”
Meghan listened without interruption. Here was a woman who lived in the digital age and somehow found balance. Hilma Fisher had every right to feel anger toward outsiders.
“She and I had differences of opinions when it came to life choices. She never once put her hands on my sister or me. She had nothing good to say when I opened up about my involvement with Paul. To her, he was a lot like my first husband, Glen, a white settler taking advantage of Native Alaskans. She saw me as a person who chose the color over substance. For that, my mother shunned me.”
“But you had communication with her again, didn’t you?” Meghan wanted to understand the urgency in Barbara’s trip back to Noorvik.
“She had some health concerns. Nothing potentially life-threatening. But when she called and asked me to accompany her to Anchorage this summer, of course, I went with her.
“That trip helped us communicate again. I’m older now. It’s easier for me to see how my mother held such distance from outsider culture. She wasn’t active in Alaska affairs or tribal councils. But my mother knew everything that went on in the government. She kept her eye on Juneau and anything that had to do with Native Alaskan rights.
“She’s one of the proponents to setting precedence with ‘local options’ keeping Noorvik, Kinguyakkii, and the other villages on the North Slope alcohol-free. A lot of younger people don’t like it. They don’t see the benefits, and the elders know best. She was worried about changes in the community. Fast cars, cell phones, she hated it all.
“When I was a teenager, I met Glen. He worked construction on the village sewage system. He came up to Noorvik from California. I wasn’t in love with Glen, my mother knew that, but he helped me leave here. At the time, I thought I escaped Alaska. It took me a few years to realize I was proud of my heritage. A lot of people in the south don’t know how important it is to have a significant culture. Many Alaskans are losing their rights because of diluting blood quantum. Many of the young people leave and turn their backs altogether on traditions. They traded the mukluks for sneakers long ago.”
There was quiet between them after Barbara’s monolog. It helped to understand the dynamic between mother and daughter. It convoluted things when it came to dealing with Hilma’s death. Now Meghan felt another element come into the mix. Was there a political motive that needed pursuing?
“We’re going to talk to people around town. Lester is interviewing your mother’s neighbors now,” Meghan said. “If I knew your mom’s routine, maybe we can narrow down possibilities.” It was easier explaining the process when Meghan avoided using ‘suspect.’ Barbara was an intelligent woman. Meghan felt she didn’t know who killed her mother because likely Barbara took care of family business with swift justice.
“Mom goes to bingo every week. I found out from Linda she wasn’t at bingo on Friday night. It starts at six on Fridays. I talked to mom on the phone before work on Friday. She wakes up early. I don’t know what time I’m out of work during peak season, so mornings are best for both of us.”
“Was anything wrong? Anything bothering your mother recently?” Meghan asked.
Barbara waited to answer. She reached for the coffee and thought better of it.
“She got a new roof put on in August. The house was too tight. I know this because Paul explained it to me once. She started getting a lot of moisture and mold in the house after the roof job. Paul said people could die from carbon monoxide poisoning when the house fails to breathe correctly. You see, she has oil heat. That’s bad sometimes.
“Mom wanted an outside contractor. She asked me to recommend one. I only knew about Alaskalytical Construction. By then, the business closed after Paul’s death.
“I found a company in Anchorage willing to fly out to Noorvik. It was expensive. Then my nephew convinced Mom he could do it.”
“Who’s your nephew?”
“Norman Fisher. My sister lives in Anchorage. We’re a typical dysfunctional family, Chief Sheppard. No one’s perfect. My sister left Noorvik when she was nineteen. She left my nephew here. Know that
