Fairbanks to Arctic Village
Arctic Village – you can’t really go further north than this place to find any human settlement except Inuit in the United States.
I arrived at the small airport of Wright Air Service in Fairbanks. I met Mr. Bursiel, the owner of this company and thanked him for his generous support for my project. Upon check in, we all had to weigh everything that went into the plane. “Don’t be shy,” said a lady at check-in. Everyone was laughing. Bob, the pilot, asked me, “would you like to sit in the front with me?” I couldn’t believe it. It was way cool to sit in the cockpit in the small bush plane. For the entire flight, I asked him so many questions about his job and everything I saw in the cockpit. I explained about my reason for this trip to him. “You know, 20, 30 years ago, if we heard a voice of a woman pilot on the radio, some guys booed her. I am sure that I didn’t think much of it. But it wasn’t right. If you are a good pilot, you are good. If you are a bad pilot, you are bad. Being a man doesn’t mean that you are better at flying a plane. Because of these women pilot who endured that kind of harassment and became successful in the career, now we don’t hear any kind of comments against women pilots. And because of these women, men changed. So, it’s important to support women empowerment project like what you are doing. I will check your website. Good luck!” My work is to empower women through outdoor role models but it doesn’t mean that men are out of my league for empowerment. Without them, I cannot succeed. Without them, we cannot create this social change. Since late June, many men have been helping me by providing me sponsorships, free places to stay, a ride or flying me. Many asked my business cards and wished me good luck. Every time I meet a man like Bob, it gives me a hope – a hope for a good future for girls and women, especially women of color.
The plane made an arc and landed in Arctic Village. I saw Sarah James on her ATV. I was so happy to see her! After good hugs, she took me to her sister’s house right across from her home. “My sister is gone so you can stay here. Today is the 4th of July so let’s go join the villagers,” said Sarah. I met many people including Steven, the second chief of the village. I participated in games that they were playing. “Miho, come play dizzy stick!” I had no idea what that meant. I was given a stick and lined up with many other adults. With the call of the judge, we all had to put our forehead on the tip of the stick and rotate around it 20 times then run to the finish line. I was on the ground by the time I rotated 12 times. I was disqualified. Everyone was laughing. Well, it was a good start here in Arctic Village.
Happy 4th of July!
