Our bus driver, Randy, is a true Alaskan native. He holds multiple jobs and is an active member of his community. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in the region. Notably, one of his ancestors was the second oldest recovered cadaver found and subsequently DNA tested from the melting glaciers.

The knowledge of his heritage he gladly shares with all who will listen. We made friends instantly.
From working as an accomplished fisherman, hunter, and school bus driver, he finds the time to help his neighbors and community. He showed me recent pictures of a brown bear, mainly from the bear’s back side. His ninety-year-old neighbor had two deer to process when the bear came out of nowhere and took off with one of the deer. She, being half-blind, picked up her broom and started beating the bear. The bear paid no attention to her and ran off with his bounty. Randy heard the commotion and got there just in time to snap pictures of the escaping bear’s butt!
The ninety-year-old woman didn’t miss a beat. She grabbed the remaining deer and dragged it inside her house and came back for her broom.
Randy and the whole team of local people involved in our excursion impressed Heather and me as some of the earth’s true caretakers, being a raven or eagle of their tribes.