Uploads from Holdfast Alaska

Currently Playing: We Lost Our Fish Wheel on Alaska's Copper River

Fish wheels mean food security for many families in the Copper River Basin, including ours. All winter, we rested easy knowing that once the salmon arrived, we could launch our wheel and put away enough fish to help feed our family through another year. Life has a way of teaching hard lessons, and this was one of the biggest we've faced in a long time. We made camp, launched the wheel, and returned the next morning to find torn-off stumps along the bank and our fish wheel gone. We were heartbroken. At the same time, we're incredibly grateful that no one was hurt and deeply thankful for the community that immediately stepped up to help. People with jet boats offered to search the river. Bush pilots flew scouting trips looking for any sign of it (thank you again, Sarah and Christina). Jeremy from Salmon Grove checked the Copper between the Klutina and Tazlina Rivers, hoping to track it down. The outpouring of support has meant more to our family than we can put into words. Even if the wheel is found, recovering it will be a challenge. Meanwhile, the salmon are arriving now, and time is short. Thankfully, we are in a position to rebuild. So rather than dwell on what was lost, we set out to do what Alaskans have always done when things go wrong: get back to work and build again—this time against the clock. Til next week, -Dennis, Amy & Lena End Music By: @HawkenHorse, who wrote us "Holdfast". Frontier music and history. Become a Channel Member for homestead happenings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdYB30EoOdp-syCtLF_mTgw/join Get in Touch with Us: Westerlind Family P.O Box 906, Slana, AK 99586 We are also on Instagram & FaceBook @holdfastalaska Support the Homestead if you wish | https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6B2249KCY6STE If you wish to be notified via email for future book releases, merch, or events shoot us a message at: holdfastfarmstead@gmail.com