About me.
I was born near the village of Holy Cross, Alaska at our families summer fish camp. My mother said I was
delivered by the local midwife, Francis Demientieff, who lived to be over 100 years old and was responsible for
the delivery of countless babies. The privilege was all mine. I don't remember much about the whole affair, but
I am glad it happened and that everything came out OK. It was a windy rainy Tuesday when I finally entered this
world.
Our fish camp house was made of scrap lumber with corrugated tin roof, some parts were covered with tree
bark. The building itself was of two rooms, the front room with the kitchen, small table and bed for my parents
and a cooking stove, the larger back room was lined with bunk beds and mosquito nets. There was a large
circular stove from a gas drum cut in half sitting on the dirt in the corner. Not the fancy sportsman's lodge but it
was and still is my home.
Nothing could compare to the first salmon caught and baked with onions and rice and sitting on the river bank
watching the world drift by. Sometimes bears would appear across the river, undoubtedly drawn by the smell
of drying fish. But they didn't dare wander too close for my father was a crack shot with his WWII 30-06. Many a
morning we would wake to the sound of him chasing away a bear or other animal. It was a good life at fish
camp.
Holy Cross was founded in the late 1800's by a group of Catholics dedicated to the saving of the heathen
'savages'. It sits in a small alcove on the banks of the Yukon River in southwestern Alaska. They were a fine,
hardy lot, dedicated to changing this part of the world to suit what they envisioned this world should be about.
Thanks to them I do not speak my native language and many other traditions have been lost. But, I am not one
to dwell on the past, what is done is done and I always try to move on and look to the future.
My grandfather, Nicolai Savage, was the person that aggravated them more than myself. Being a traditional
healer of my people, his attitudes and lifestyle was an abomination that was cursed by the good Fathers and
Sisters of the Mission. Banned from attending church and other events unless he gave up his practices, I am
proud to say he stood fast in his beliefs and retains the respect of those that remember him. After the priests
barred his entrance into the church building he predicted that one day their holy house would be replaced by a
field of grass. He did not live to see that day, but I did.
I have lived for many years away from my origins, but the memories will travel with me forever. I remember the
cold winters of high snow drifts, with sledding and walking to visit my rabbit trap lines. The first time my father
let me carry the .22 rifle on my trips was after I told him I saw wolf tracks in the snow. He gave me a few bullets
and said don't waste them. I fired a couple rounds to know that I could shoot and the rifle would shoot. I was
12 and in my later years think about my life compared to my children's at age 12. I don't think I would let them
wander the banks of a frozen river in -30 degree weather with only a few matches and a knife. Or how we had
to cut firewood and haul our water from a well across the valley. There wasn't a telephone in the village, just a
radio at the mission. I did not see a television until we moved to Anchorage in 1970. Now there are satellite
dishes sprouting like dandelions throughout the village and everywhere in the 'bush'. It was a good life and
sometimes miss it very much.
So, how did I become and ivory carver?
I guess the easiest explanation is that I was hungry and needed a way to eat. I had been selling my drawings
and stuff everywhere in Anchorage and even camped in Denali Park for a summer, supporting myself with my
artwork. At times I tell my kids that for one week I only had a package of hot dogs to eat. Fortunately, I did have
a knack for carving and ivory was relatively easy to find and carve.
I have opened and closed a few gift shops, never enjoying the locked in lifestyle that is needed to run a
business. I am the wandering spirit that enjoys blackjack, horse racing and flying. But my ultimate enjoyment
is my children and grand kids. Recently acquiring my first granddaughter so now my life is complete and
whatever comes along will be gravy and ice cream.
Sorry for any misspellings or bad grammar.
LS
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