66 years in Alaska...
still counting...
still counting...
Edward Beeman, or just 'Red' first came to Alaska in 1951. He established himself here and never went back to Kansas, his home state.
Red speaks about his love for flying his small plane that he's been doing for decades, talks about his admiration of the Alaskan mountains and admits that he hasn't heard anything about the 150th anniversary of the Alaska's purchase.
- How long have you lived in Alaska and why are you still here?
- I was born in Kansas and I came to Alaska in 1951 in the US Air Force and spent 3 years there and then stayed in Alaska. And now it's been already 66 years. Basically, I've been a professional big game guide for sheep, caribou, moose and bear. I've also been a commercial salmon fisherman in the Cook Inlet. And, in the meantime, I've been a carpenter, a plumber and a small plane pilot. I just quit flying recently. Even at my age, I am now 87, I could still pass a flight physically which is a pretty good accomplishment (laughing). But I outlived my plane. The airframe on it was eroding so bad that it was going to have to take major repairs and I just couldn't afford it. So it was a technical reason and I do miss flying my plane! So back to Alaska, I can't think of any place that I've traveled in the world, that I'd like to live. At my age I would like to live in a warmer climate but I can't do down there things that I still love to do in Alaska.
- I was born in Kansas and I came to Alaska in 1951 in the US Air Force and spent 3 years there and then stayed in Alaska. And now it's been already 66 years. Basically, I've been a professional big game guide for sheep, caribou, moose and bear. I've also been a commercial salmon fisherman in the Cook Inlet. And, in the meantime, I've been a carpenter, a plumber and a small plane pilot. I just quit flying recently. Even at my age, I am now 87, I could still pass a flight physically which is a pretty good accomplishment (laughing). But I outlived my plane. The airframe on it was eroding so bad that it was going to have to take major repairs and I just couldn't afford it. So it was a technical reason and I do miss flying my plane! So back to Alaska, I can't think of any place that I've traveled in the world, that I'd like to live. At my age I would like to live in a warmer climate but I can't do down there things that I still love to do in Alaska.
- Alaska is…
- Alaska is freedom and in my earlier days there was a lot more freedom. Also, its main attraction is natural beauty and the change of seasons.
- Alaska is freedom and in my earlier days there was a lot more freedom. Also, its main attraction is natural beauty and the change of seasons.
- What is the spirit of Alaska in terms of values people live?
- Today the spirit of Alaska is progress and development. When I first came here the population was much less. So the endeavors were multifaceted.
- Today the spirit of Alaska is progress and development. When I first came here the population was much less. So the endeavors were multifaceted.
I've been a professional big game guide for sheep, caribou, moose and bear. I've also been a commercial salmon fisherman. And, in the meantime, I've been a carpenter, a plumber and a small plane pilot.
- Since time immemorial the Native peoples of Alaska have lived here. Then the Russians came. Then Alaska became a part of the United States. In the end, who has the most claim?
- Well, we paid the Russians for it. So there you go!
- Well, we paid the Russians for it. So there you go!
- The First Peoples of Alaska, including Inupiaq, Tlingit, Athabaskans, Yupik, Alutiiq and others, how large is their role in modern Alaska today?
- It is becoming very large. And one of the reasons it is because the Native people of Alaska are becoming much more educated in the white man's ways. And the oil helped them, too. When they build the Trans-Alaskan pipeline, they settled the land claims with the Natives. And to do that the US government did various things, they gave them a large amount of money. The also set aside a large amount of land for them. And through these efforts they're being education and having some good leaders. So the Native people have been able to progress with their assets.
- It is becoming very large. And one of the reasons it is because the Native people of Alaska are becoming much more educated in the white man's ways. And the oil helped them, too. When they build the Trans-Alaskan pipeline, they settled the land claims with the Natives. And to do that the US government did various things, they gave them a large amount of money. The also set aside a large amount of land for them. And through these efforts they're being education and having some good leaders. So the Native people have been able to progress with their assets.
- Alaska and the 'Lower 48': do people do things differently there?
- Yes! There is a lot of different things in Alaska. One of the things that make it so different is the drug problem the whole world has. But it is really bad here in Alaska. But, anyway, down in the 'Lower 48' they just do it in a different way. Alaskans have come here from all over. And one of the reasons they've come here is the opportunity that a new country has offered in a lot of facets.
- Yes! There is a lot of different things in Alaska. One of the things that make it so different is the drug problem the whole world has. But it is really bad here in Alaska. But, anyway, down in the 'Lower 48' they just do it in a different way. Alaskans have come here from all over. And one of the reasons they've come here is the opportunity that a new country has offered in a lot of facets.
- Do reality TV shows genuinely portray Alaska or they distort it?
- It is becoming that way more. I mean, more true. Most of these TV shows are for the beauty of Alaska, they hardly ever duel on the politics.
- It is becoming that way more. I mean, more true. Most of these TV shows are for the beauty of Alaska, they hardly ever duel on the politics.
- Where, in your opinion, is the most beautiful place in Alaska? Why did you pick that place and why is it so special to you?
- That's a hard question because there is so much beauty in this place! On the other side of the Alaska range there is Interior Alaska: going through the mountains of the range to go there is beautiful. I mean the places I am familiar with, the Western Alaska range, both Eastern and Western parts of it. Basically, I am familiar with any part of Alaska from Southeast to the South slopes of the Brooks range which is quite a scope. Southeast Alaska has beautiful country over on the border with Canada. You know, I'm from Kansas so anything with mountains is beautiful!
- That's a hard question because there is so much beauty in this place! On the other side of the Alaska range there is Interior Alaska: going through the mountains of the range to go there is beautiful. I mean the places I am familiar with, the Western Alaska range, both Eastern and Western parts of it. Basically, I am familiar with any part of Alaska from Southeast to the South slopes of the Brooks range which is quite a scope. Southeast Alaska has beautiful country over on the border with Canada. You know, I'm from Kansas so anything with mountains is beautiful!
Everywhere you go in Alaska, among the Native population, you are going to have Russian influence: the religion, the names and their history in general
- What are you favorite Alaskan foods? Do you have a special recipe?
- Smoked salmon is one of them, any of the five salmon – king salmon, silver salmon, sockeye, pink and dog salmon. The most of the game meats, like the Dall sheep, it is really good, top knot. Of course, the seafood: shrimp, crab. There are a lot of good foods in Alaska! So I like smoked salmon kippered, not hard smoked. I also like my moose meat in steak and burgers and ribs... (laughing)
- Smoked salmon is one of them, any of the five salmon – king salmon, silver salmon, sockeye, pink and dog salmon. The most of the game meats, like the Dall sheep, it is really good, top knot. Of course, the seafood: shrimp, crab. There are a lot of good foods in Alaska! So I like smoked salmon kippered, not hard smoked. I also like my moose meat in steak and burgers and ribs... (laughing)
- What do you know about the Russian America or Russian heritage in Alaska?
- Not a lot. I do know what the average person's knowledge is of it. A little about the early days of Russian… I almost wanted to say 'occupation' (laughing), of the Russian Alaska history. Also I've had a lot of contacts in Alaskan villages along Cook Inlet and Southeast Alaska. Everywhere you go in Alaska, among the Native population, you are going to have Russian influence: the religion, the names and their history in general. The Native population is really aware of that part of their history, of their linkage.
- Not a lot. I do know what the average person's knowledge is of it. A little about the early days of Russian… I almost wanted to say 'occupation' (laughing), of the Russian Alaska history. Also I've had a lot of contacts in Alaskan villages along Cook Inlet and Southeast Alaska. Everywhere you go in Alaska, among the Native population, you are going to have Russian influence: the religion, the names and their history in general. The Native population is really aware of that part of their history, of their linkage.
- This year is the 150th anniversary of Alaska purchase by the United States: are you aware of this event?
- No, I am not.
- No, I am not.
- How do you feel towards Russia as a country?
- It is a vast country. I don't believe in a lot of stuff that the news feeds us. I was glad to hear, it was about 20 years ago, when they started trying to integrate, started visiting each other, here in Alaska and the Russian Far East. I'd like to see more of that. The understanding – I don't care what nation or nationality – of the other persons and feelings is very essential for the world order.
- It is a vast country. I don't believe in a lot of stuff that the news feeds us. I was glad to hear, it was about 20 years ago, when they started trying to integrate, started visiting each other, here in Alaska and the Russian Far East. I'd like to see more of that. The understanding – I don't care what nation or nationality – of the other persons and feelings is very essential for the world order.
- America and Russia: are we enemies? Or are we not?
- I'd say, on again, off again. Right now I'd say it is 'off' and I can elaborate on my thoughts on that. I don't trust president Putin and I do not trust our president, Trump, at all. My feeling now is that I am not threatened by Russia.
- I'd say, on again, off again. Right now I'd say it is 'off' and I can elaborate on my thoughts on that. I don't trust president Putin and I do not trust our president, Trump, at all. My feeling now is that I am not threatened by Russia.
- If you had an opportunity to meet and talk to an ordinary Russian, what would you say?
- I would try to establish an interchange with that person. I would introduce myself first and then ask where this person – he or she – is from. And I would definitely give a feeling that I am no threat because I'm American. So let's talk!
- I would try to establish an interchange with that person. I would introduce myself first and then ask where this person – he or she – is from. And I would definitely give a feeling that I am no threat because I'm American. So let's talk!
- What is your version of the American dream?
- In the long run I think American people by large want to succeed in life. They want their families to succeed. I think that they probably just want to get alone. Some of them want to succeed a lot more than the other ones. On the other side, people that seek higher education and higher social status.
- In the long run I think American people by large want to succeed in life. They want their families to succeed. I think that they probably just want to get alone. Some of them want to succeed a lot more than the other ones. On the other side, people that seek higher education and higher social status.
My feeling now is that I am not threatened by Russia.
- What a great single Alaskan person of past or present would you like to talk to?
- Our former Governor, Jay Hammond. He was what we call a 'regular guy'. He was very knowledgeable, he was the people's person. He didn't aspire things a lot higher than government or anything. He really set this state on an even keel. That's an expression for being more down the center, more balanced. He is one of those who initiated the Permanent Fund that we have here in Alaska. I don't hold him an esteem for that as much as for his character. He was just a good governing person.
- Our former Governor, Jay Hammond. He was what we call a 'regular guy'. He was very knowledgeable, he was the people's person. He didn't aspire things a lot higher than government or anything. He really set this state on an even keel. That's an expression for being more down the center, more balanced. He is one of those who initiated the Permanent Fund that we have here in Alaska. I don't hold him an esteem for that as much as for his character. He was just a good governing person.
- What will Alaska be like in 2034, 17 years from now?
- I would like to see Alaska more settled in its sense of governing.
- I would like to see Alaska more settled in its sense of governing.
