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Lastertimeago, Summer of 1974
“Bear in the trash cans!” The stillness of Lost Lake and its Scout Camp was broken. Boys quickly emerged from thick foliage shouting and tossing rocks at the black bear. Fleeing into the woods, the bear later reappeared in camp. On this pleasant summer day, the woods of soft green hues appeared primeval and unspoiled by man. Trees were lofty and majestic. The smell of moist earth from summer rains mixed with the musky odor of high bush cranberry. Berries of several kinds were in great abundance and the bear continued prowling the camp as he dined on the luscious berries.
The above is a birch tree showing scrape marks from a bear.“Bear in a tent!” This outcry brought scouts from their dinner in the mess hall. Surly and unshaken by the approach of the boys, the bear defiantly claimed ownership of the tent. A rifle shot sounded. The Scout Commissioner had fired.
Fifteen Athabascan Indian Scouts from Allakaket and Hughes, two villages on the Koyukuk River wasted no time. Under the auspices of the Episcopal Bishop of Fairbanks and accompanied by an Episcopal Priest, the Indian boys had traveled to Lost Lake for the summer encampment. For the military boys who had experienced camping the lower 48 states, Lost Lake Camp provided a unique nature experience as well as admiration and respect for these Indian boys who quickly acted to prepare the bear in their traditional village manner. With excitement, animation and sharp knives, the bear was skinned. Tacked down on a board, the skin was carefully scraped and cleaned of meat bits. After the skin was dry it would be worked and cleaned of meat bits, then worked and softened with saddle soap. Symbolically, further preparations were made. The eyes were slit to prevent the bear’s spirit from returning. The head was placed high on a broken tree so the bear’s spirit would rest in peace.
Over the roaring campfire fist size chunks of meat simmered for an hour and half in a kettle of water. Macaroni and vegetables were then added. The bear paws, complete with hair, were roasted over the fire. Those eating the paws gained strength from the bear. To one end of the esophagus the heart was attached. The other end of the esophagus was tied to a stick on a tree so that the heart roasted off to the side of the fire. The heart, regarded as delicacy, was given to the oldest men in the camp. No edible meat was wasted. The remaining bones and other parts not consumable were thrown in the fire.
After this fine feast, the small but wiry and powerful Indian boys displayed their skill and strength in wrestling other heavier Scouts. The sun was still up when the boys bedded down and the sun would be up when they arose in the morning. During the nineteen hours of daylight, late evening and early morning sun was filtered out by the willow, birch, cottonwood, alder, and spruce trees. Lost Lake was clear without a ripple as silence returned to the Scout camp after an evening of unusual feasting and fellowship.
