Long ago, the Eskimos migrated from the east to the Yukon River, building a large village. Internal conflict divided them, leading to wars with surrounding groups. Survivors dispersed to locations like Kushunuk, Nunivak Island, and Bristol Bay. Over time, they faced conflicts with Kodiak and Aleut forces, relocating repeatedly. Language differences emerged as groups settled in distinct areas, with descendants eventually resettling near Goodnews Bay.
Source:
The Eskimo about Bering Strait
by Edward William Nelson
[Smithsonian Institution]
Bureau of American Ethnology
Eighteenth Annual Report
Washington, 1900
► Themes of the story
Conflict with Authority: The internal conflicts and wars among the Eskimo groups and with surrounding communities highlight struggles against oppressive forces.
Community and Isolation: The dispersal of the Eskimo people into separate groups and their eventual resettlement illustrate themes of belonging and estrangement.
Echoes of the Past: The narrative reflects on ancestral migrations and conflicts, emphasizing their influence on the present settlements and cultural differences.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Inuit peoples
The following legend was obtained from an old man at Ikogmut, on the Lower Yukon. I had no opportunity of verifying any part of it, which was given as a statement of fact.
Very long ago the Eskimo lived far away from the Yukon, and were continually moving from place to place; traveling from the far east to the west. After long wanderings some of them built a village on the bank of Yukon river, just below where Ikogmut now stands, which increased in size until there were thirty-five kashims. The ruins of this village can be seen at the present time, with large pits where the kashims stood.
Finally the villagers quarreled, formed two parties, and made war against each other. The inhabitants of the surrounding villages had hated these people for a long time on account of their overbearing manner, and when they began to quarrel among themselves the out side people united to make war upon them. These enemies were so powerful that they were able to defeat the divided forces of the villagers in a battle, and those who survived became separated into three parties and dispersed.
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One party stopped at the village of Kushunuk, near Cape Vancouver; another party went to Nunivak island, and another traveled on until it reached Bristol bay, and settled near where Nushagak now stands. The people on the great island of Kodiak, having heard of the strangers near Nushagak, sent a war party across from the island to attack them, but the newcomers on Bristol bay succeeded in almost exterminating them. After this the Aleut, on the island of Uminak, heard of the strangers, and of their having defeated the Kodiak men, so they sent out a war party against these people. This time the Yukon men were defeated and lost half their number. Those who were left then joined with some of their friends from Nunivak island and attacked the people living at Goodnews bay, below the mouth of Kuskokwim river, killing them and burning their village.
The victors then built themselves a village in the same locality, where they were living at the time the Russians came to the country. When the Russians came the people on Goodnews bay resisted them for some time, but finally they scattered, some going back to Bristol bay and others settling with their people on Nunivak island. Since then the descendants of these people have gradually returned to Goodnews bay, where they are now living. During the last few years the people on Bristol bay have been gradually working along the coast toward the mouth of the Kuskokwim.
During the time of the migration from the Yukon all of these people spoke one tongue, but having settled at three widely separated places, their languages gradually became different, the people living at Bristol bay and on Nunivak island being nearest alike in speech.
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