Frozen in time: Herschel island, permafrost, and the modern era

02/21/12 • 23 min

Polar scientist Dr. Christopher Burn explains the importance of permafrost to understanding the Herschel Island's geological history, and our understanding of climate change. As climate change loosens permafrost's hold on Herschel Island, the place still has an important role to play in human history along Yukon's north slope, and the entire northwest passage.

Previous Episode

Qikiqtaruk – a song for our island

Northern peoples have been traveling and hunting in the Herschel Island area for thousands of years, and continue to do so. These days, Richard Gordon is the head park ranger for Herschel Island Territorial Park. Hear him talk about the magic of Herschel and play his song Kikkitaruq (Our Island) in this podcast from the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope).

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A family connection: Danny C. Gordon recalls his family's life on the North Slope

When he was a boy, Danny C. Gordon walked with his family from Kaktovik, Alaska to Aklavik, Northwest Territories. He's been hunting and fishing in the area ever since. In this interview, recorded at an old table in a shelter on Herschel Island, Danny C. Gordon talks about what Herschel Island means for him and for the people who grew up living on the land on the Yukon's North Slope.