Customer Reviews

Once Upon an Eskimo Time

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The is truly a fabulous book. When her mother Nedercook broke her hip at the remarkable age of 109, Edna Wilder took the opportunity to record stories and memories from her childhood. Years later, Wilder developed her notes into book format after attending a simple magazine article writing course at the University of Alaska.

The book documents what life was like when Nedercook was about ten years old and living the traditional Eskimo lifestyle that her people lived prior to direct contact with Europeans. Her people, who lived at Stoney Point near Nome, Alaska, led a difficult life, and survival depended on the availability of a number of species of animals, not to mention the weather, which at times would disrupt the general cycle of animal availability. Such a strong dependence on these two factors is a major element of Nedercook's recollections, but has harsh as life was, it was by no means miserable. There were many things for the young Nedercook to do, and when she was not assisting her mother with chores or accompanying her father when he went out to fish, she play or more importantly--as it was her duty to perpetuate the history and legends of her people--listening to her father or mother tell stories--stories which would have been long forgotten had it not been for this book.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book and how it has increased my understanding of First Nations culture. I urge everyone to read it.

This is an easy read book which i enjoyed very much. I have recommended it to many people native and non native alike. It reminded me a lot of my "outdoor adventures" growing up in Western Alaska. The way the story is written gives insight into the life of Nederkook as it was back then, with no need for a lot of explination. Are there anymore stories narrated by Nederkook? i'd like to learn more about Nederkook's history.
Edna Wilder (whats her native name by the way) has done an excellent job.