Scenes of Shishmaref

Greta standing on the shore of the Chukchi Sea.
It is a beautiful day and almost balmy at -18 degrees!

Freight sled with winter's gilding

A shopper walks home from the Native Store with her purchases on the sled.

Artic sidewalk (school entrance) after a visit from Jack Frost.

Simple grasses plus winter's magic equal exquisite beauty.

The road by the cemetery.

Caribou skins drying.

Sunrise around 11:30 a.m.
There are only about 3 hours of daylight at this time of year.

One of the sled dogs. There are at least six dog teams on the island.
Some are used to haul freight and some for racing. Shishmaref was the home of
the legendary Iditarod musher: the Shishmaref Cannonball, Henry Nayokpuk

Shishmaref Lutheran Church

We have a Lutheran Church in the village of Shishmaref. 

The original church was built in the 1930s, but the current structure in much newer. There are three services each week: Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Interim pastors are currently ministering to the 

congregation as the permanent pastor passed away in October. 

We enjoy the services.

Shishmaref Lutheran Church sits on one of the highest points on 

Sarichef Island in the village of Shishmaref.

The banner is made from the skin of a spotted seal.

 The cross is made of walrus ivory.

Purple (or blue) is the color for advent.

 The church is ready for Advent.

 The church entry.

Shishmaref Cemetery is located on the east side of the church.

 The back of the church and the bell tower.

I joined some of my students and sang in the choir.

The Eskimo people love to sing!!