Exploring the Poles with the U.S. Coast Guard

This morning Dr. Phil McGillivary of the U.S. Coast Guard visited TBS and gave fantastic presentations to Sweet Briar Creek and Cerrito Creek students on the environment and wildlife of the Antarctic and Artic, and the lives and culture of Inuits and other native Alaskans. He began with a powerpoint presentation showing what how the ice moves in both locations, what sorts of animals live there, and how humans have adapted to the polar environment.

Next came a video of various dances, shot in the late 1950s. He explained the symbolism of the masks, clothing, and movements, as well as the singing and drumming that accompany the dances (which were dances for good luck with fishing, or retelling the story of the seal hunt).

Phil also brought a tremendous collection of artifacts for students to explore, including mittens, fishing equipment, shamanic amulets and artifacts, oil lamps and other household objects. For me, the highlight was a 10,000 year old whale bone tool used to smash the bones of whales and walrus; holding that instrument transported me through space and time (in my imagination, anyway)!