A Last Frontier woman
Kate Mongeon, from Eureka, Mat-Su valley, tells a story about what it takes to live in the modern Wild West.
Kate shares her love for outdoor activities in Alaska and explains what is so different here compared to the 'Lower 48'.
- How long have you lived in Alaska and why are you still here?
- I lived here in Eureka for 7 years and work at the lodge. First, I came to Alaska in 1994 and then I left it for 7 years and came back in 2009. My sister's here and I just love it. I don't like big cities anymore. I do all the outdoor stuff: four-wheeler, snowmobile, hunt, fish. It is my backyard.
- I lived here in Eureka for 7 years and work at the lodge. First, I came to Alaska in 1994 and then I left it for 7 years and came back in 2009. My sister's here and I just love it. I don't like big cities anymore. I do all the outdoor stuff: four-wheeler, snowmobile, hunt, fish. It is my backyard.
- Alaska is…
- Alaska is one of the best places I've ever lived. I went to Montana, Wyoming: similar. But it is very real here. It is very diverse. The seasons: you either love or you hate it, there is no in between. You see caribou, moose on a daily basis. I walk quite a bit and I like to look at the tracks. I once came close enough to the bear, it was kind of scary. But he was far enough away but still close enough. But I have a gun a .357 that I carry with. You just don't see that everywhere. And if I am hunting I have my rifle. I do hunt, not successfully, but I do (laughing). I do go out. My boss here at this lodge and I go out together. We camp out and also do some day hunt.
- Alaska is one of the best places I've ever lived. I went to Montana, Wyoming: similar. But it is very real here. It is very diverse. The seasons: you either love or you hate it, there is no in between. You see caribou, moose on a daily basis. I walk quite a bit and I like to look at the tracks. I once came close enough to the bear, it was kind of scary. But he was far enough away but still close enough. But I have a gun a .357 that I carry with. You just don't see that everywhere. And if I am hunting I have my rifle. I do hunt, not successfully, but I do (laughing). I do go out. My boss here at this lodge and I go out together. We camp out and also do some day hunt.
- What is the spirit of Alaska in terms of values people live?
- They live off the land. Especially up here, in Matanuska-Susitna area. You know, we don't have all that comfort at home. Basically, you're pulling your water. I've got to stuck the wood stove. Life here is just very basic here. It is also very laid back and I like it. You don't have to press anybody, just be yourself. And I live alone. It is great, I can do my own things. And just go out whenever I want. And when you do hunting and fishing, you have to respect it. Because if you don't, then nature is not going to have to respect you at all.
- They live off the land. Especially up here, in Matanuska-Susitna area. You know, we don't have all that comfort at home. Basically, you're pulling your water. I've got to stuck the wood stove. Life here is just very basic here. It is also very laid back and I like it. You don't have to press anybody, just be yourself. And I live alone. It is great, I can do my own things. And just go out whenever I want. And when you do hunting and fishing, you have to respect it. Because if you don't, then nature is not going to have to respect you at all.
I once came close enough to the bear, it was kind of scary. But I have a gun, a .357 that I carry with.
- 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?
- I would think, the Natives. They still do subsistence hunting: whale-hunting, sea-hunting. And they do live off the land in some of the villages.
- I would think, the Natives. They still do subsistence hunting: whale-hunting, sea-hunting. And they do live off the land in some of the villages.
- The First Peoples of Alaska, including Inupiaq, Tlingit, Athabaskans, Yupik, Alutiiq and others, how large is their role in modern Alaska today?
- They're trying to recapture their culture in their villages. They need to pass it on to the younger generation. It is so exciting to see so many cultures here in Alaskan villages. The cities here are totally different.
- They're trying to recapture their culture in their villages. They need to pass it on to the younger generation. It is so exciting to see so many cultures here in Alaskan villages. The cities here are totally different.
- Alaska and the 'Lower 48': do people do things differently there?
- Yes! They are very fast-paced! It is always 'now', 'now', 'now'. They want everything now. We don't rely on GPS here for maps: come on, it is pretty simple to get around in this state. And they always dress up, like if they go to church, like in Georgia, where I am from originally. People from the 'Lower 48' don't understand how can you live here. You know, it is dark in the winter time here. It is cold. You just have to do here what is offered for you. Again, if you don't get out and don't enjoy what Alaska is to offer, then you don't like it. Just move on.
- Yes! They are very fast-paced! It is always 'now', 'now', 'now'. They want everything now. We don't rely on GPS here for maps: come on, it is pretty simple to get around in this state. And they always dress up, like if they go to church, like in Georgia, where I am from originally. People from the 'Lower 48' don't understand how can you live here. You know, it is dark in the winter time here. It is cold. You just have to do here what is offered for you. Again, if you don't get out and don't enjoy what Alaska is to offer, then you don't like it. Just move on.
- Do reality TV shows genuinely portray Alaska or they distort it?
- I think, they are ridiculous! The big majority of them. There is a couple of them are really do film, like the 'Deadliest Catch', you can't re-enact any of that. A lot of these others ones are just re-enactments of things that might have happened. They make it more drama than it is. I don't really watch TV at all, so I've only seen a couple of the shows. But I think they are not depicting the true Alaska. You want to depict the true Alaska – you come to here and live in a lodge or a hunting camp! And then you will see exactly how people are. I've met some of the people who were on some of the shows: they are not real Alaskans!
- I think, they are ridiculous! The big majority of them. There is a couple of them are really do film, like the 'Deadliest Catch', you can't re-enact any of that. A lot of these others ones are just re-enactments of things that might have happened. They make it more drama than it is. I don't really watch TV at all, so I've only seen a couple of the shows. But I think they are not depicting the true Alaska. You want to depict the true Alaska – you come to here and live in a lodge or a hunting camp! And then you will see exactly how people are. I've met some of the people who were on some of the shows: they are not real Alaskans!
- 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?
- It is Eureka, obviously! Also, I enjoy Denali National park, I used to live there. It is just wilderness and I think not a lot of people out there can handle living there in the winter. Also Wrangell in the Southeast is actually pretty cool. It is a rainforest down there. It is beautiful, I have a family down there so I really enjoy going down there visiting, going up the rivers… That's tough to pick just one place because they're all different: you get from the Interior Alaska to the Southeast. I haven't been too much over on the Chain, the Aleutian chain. I was there only at a couple of places: Cold Bay and Dutch Harbor.
- It is Eureka, obviously! Also, I enjoy Denali National park, I used to live there. It is just wilderness and I think not a lot of people out there can handle living there in the winter. Also Wrangell in the Southeast is actually pretty cool. It is a rainforest down there. It is beautiful, I have a family down there so I really enjoy going down there visiting, going up the rivers… That's tough to pick just one place because they're all different: you get from the Interior Alaska to the Southeast. I haven't been too much over on the Chain, the Aleutian chain. I was there only at a couple of places: Cold Bay and Dutch Harbor.
The Native people of Alaska trying to recapture their culture in their villages. They need to pass it on to the younger generation. It is so exciting to see so many cultures here in Alaskan villages...
- What are you favorite Alaskan foods? Do you have a special recipe?
- Salmon! I like salmon anyway! Really, anything that you can do, I make it with salmon. Especially with eggs, I do it salmon and eggs.
- Salmon! I like salmon anyway! Really, anything that you can do, I make it with salmon. Especially with eggs, I do it salmon and eggs.
- What do you know about the Russian America or Russian heritage in Alaska?
- I don't know about it. I am really not familiar with the Russian culture up here. In Homer, which is the Kenai Peninsula, you have a huge Russian community, at the end of the road there. When I first went to Alaska I met some of the Russians there. But I wasn't really interested, I was very young then and wasn't interested in a lot of things I am now.
- I don't know about it. I am really not familiar with the Russian culture up here. In Homer, which is the Kenai Peninsula, you have a huge Russian community, at the end of the road there. When I first went to Alaska I met some of the Russians there. But I wasn't really interested, I was very young then and wasn't interested in a lot of things I am now.
- This year is the 150th anniversary of Alaska purchase by the United States: are you aware of this event?
- I am. I read in in the newspaper that Alaska was bought for five cents an acre or something like that (laughing). Back then it was a lot of money!
- I am. I read in in the newspaper that Alaska was bought for five cents an acre or something like that (laughing). Back then it was a lot of money!
- How do you feel towards Russia as a country?
- I've never been to Russia. I am not familiar with Russian history. My sister had an opportunity to travel to Russia. I have not and I've heard it is really expensive. I'd really like to travel to Russia but I don't want to do it alone in a big country like that.
- I've never been to Russia. I am not familiar with Russian history. My sister had an opportunity to travel to Russia. I have not and I've heard it is really expensive. I'd really like to travel to Russia but I don't want to do it alone in a big country like that.
- America and Russia: are we enemies? Or are we not?
- I think right now we should be friends. We've been enemies for so long. Let's get over it! Let's focus on North Korea (laughing). They scare me!
- I think right now we should be friends. We've been enemies for so long. Let's get over it! Let's focus on North Korea (laughing). They scare me!
- If you had an opportunity to meet and talk to an ordinary Russian, what would you say?
- I'd definitely ask that person about Russian culture. Because I think Russia has some problems same as we are: like poverty, or they also used to the cold. I would also ask how they see differences between America and Russia, as well. I know that we're looked out probably as a pretty rude nation, I know that for fact, the French don't like it all (laughing).
- I'd definitely ask that person about Russian culture. Because I think Russia has some problems same as we are: like poverty, or they also used to the cold. I would also ask how they see differences between America and Russia, as well. I know that we're looked out probably as a pretty rude nation, I know that for fact, the French don't like it all (laughing).
- What is your version of the American dream?
- I am almost think I am living part of it. A very basic life. I don't have anything. I have a dog. I have myself. But I am living where I want to live. I'm doing what I want to do. And I enjoy it. I enjoy my job. If you don't enjoy where you work and live then you have to move on. So I think, basically, in a small part, I am living my dream. It has changed from 20 years ago: back then I was a city girl. My sister is more of a city girl.
- I am almost think I am living part of it. A very basic life. I don't have anything. I have a dog. I have myself. But I am living where I want to live. I'm doing what I want to do. And I enjoy it. I enjoy my job. If you don't enjoy where you work and live then you have to move on. So I think, basically, in a small part, I am living my dream. It has changed from 20 years ago: back then I was a city girl. My sister is more of a city girl.
We see a big influx of different nations and people coming in so there'll be a lot more variety of people in Alaska. But areas like here, in Eureka, or Denali or the Southeast won't change. I can guarantee you that. It is tough out there.
- What a great single Alaskan person of past or present would you like to talk to?
- Katie John. She was a Native and Native rights activist. She passed away a few years ago. People were walking out in her honor in Anchorage. She would be somebody I really want to talk to. She was here during the older times. One of the reason I want to meet her is that she is a woman. And she was very strong at the time when civil rights were a lot of a different thing, she was staying in and try to help out different communities. She was very well know and very well liked by her community. If you have your community back you're very strong. So to sit down with her and talk would be kind of cool.
- Katie John. She was a Native and Native rights activist. She passed away a few years ago. People were walking out in her honor in Anchorage. She would be somebody I really want to talk to. She was here during the older times. One of the reason I want to meet her is that she is a woman. And she was very strong at the time when civil rights were a lot of a different thing, she was staying in and try to help out different communities. She was very well know and very well liked by her community. If you have your community back you're very strong. So to sit down with her and talk would be kind of cool.
- What will Alaska be like in 2034, 17 years from now?
- Hopefully, it would stay the same. Anchorage has grown so much, it is starting to modernize in a lot of ways. I hope they will sustain it and keep it the way it is. I've been here for 20 years and I've the (Mat-Su) Valley grow, I've seen Anchorage grow. So now anywhere you go there'll so many people who are aren't from there. People coming and going. We have a big military base in Delta. We see a big influx of different nations and people coming in so there'll be a lot more variety of people here in Alaska. But areas like here, in Eureka, or Denali or the Southeast won't change. I can guarantee you that. It is tough out there. But Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Valley definitely would. The Valley has grown so big. But hopefully up here it would stay pretty pristine and untouched.…
- Hopefully, it would stay the same. Anchorage has grown so much, it is starting to modernize in a lot of ways. I hope they will sustain it and keep it the way it is. I've been here for 20 years and I've the (Mat-Su) Valley grow, I've seen Anchorage grow. So now anywhere you go there'll so many people who are aren't from there. People coming and going. We have a big military base in Delta. We see a big influx of different nations and people coming in so there'll be a lot more variety of people here in Alaska. But areas like here, in Eureka, or Denali or the Southeast won't change. I can guarantee you that. It is tough out there. But Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Valley definitely would. The Valley has grown so big. But hopefully up here it would stay pretty pristine and untouched.…
