Children of the sky: connecting cultures across the Pacific with migratory birds
From tiny hummingbirds to huge swans, Alaska connects millions of birds from around the world as a breeding destination. These migrations also connect human cultures. The bar-tailed godwit (cugerpak in Yup’ik, kuaka in Māori) makes the longest non-stop flight of any animal, flying directly from the coast of Alaska to sites in Aotearoa (New Zealand) every fall. Our project uses science and culture to connect Indigenous communities in Alaska and Aotearoa through this epic migration with the goal of conserving these migratory marvels while strengthening cultural ties across the Pacific.
Presenters Include:
Colleen Timmer – Tribal Administrator Native Village of Paimiut and Hooper Bay
Angutekaraq Estelle Thomson – President of Native Village of Paimiut Traditional Council
Daniel Ruthrauff – Wildlife Biologist, US Geological Survey