Modern Eskimos | Ambler, Alaska

“We are Eskimo.” - Irene Armstrong. 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle, between the Baird and Waring Mountains, accessible only via bush plane, the Inupiaq of Ambler, Alaska feel the pull of their culture in two directions. The remote population of 260 is responding and adapting to an ever increasing number of western methods they now have access to. English has nearly replaced the native tongue, time spent creating traditional crafts is being usurped by television, snowmobiles tread where dog teams used to run, and almost anything can now be ordered through FredMeyer.com - even Netflix has reached the doorsteps of Ambler. Other changes have larger consequences; technically a dry village, alcohol and drugs are severely abused, causing deep problems at home which is reflected in low levels of education and high levels of sexual abuse. This Arctic region is pristine yet isolated, boasts ample freedom but also neglect, and is home to a people who are simultaneously dependent yet fiercely independent. However in the face of change, it remains a cultural landscape unique to anywhere else.