Sidney Huntington

Sidney Huntington is half Athapaskan and half Caucasian. Born in 1915, Sidney grows up in the Koyukuk River area in rural Alaska. When he is five years old, his mother dies after eating some bad fish. In the morning, five-year-old Sidney is left alone with his three-year-old brother Jimmy and his year-and-a-half-old sister Marion. After surviving this ordeal, Sidney is sent to an Episcopal mission, since his father cannot care for the children. Sidney is left with trust issues, and he spends a year trapping with his father to develop their relationship.

Sidney respects the Koyukon Indians and is interested in their traditional ways. Throughout the book, he tells of Koyukon Indian traditions, methods of hunting, beliefs, and lifestyles. He sees many of the traditions being lost and forgotten and seems to want to make sure they are preserved by including them in the memoir.

Sidney is independent...