The Alaska Myth

This episode looks at one of the most mythologized eras of Alaska's history: the gold rush. 

We dig into the myth of the sole prospector, and why that obscures almost everything about the gold rush. 

And we explore the myth of lawlessness through the lens of Tlingit law, miners' justice, and a company of Black soldiers sent to bring "law and order" to Alaskan towns during the Klondike gold rush...

This episode looks at how Russian colonization has been publicly remembered in Kodiak in the island's recent history. We speak to staff at the Kodiak History Museum, the Alutiiq Museum, and community members who performed in the summer theatre production Cry of the Wild Ram. 

Guests: 
Anjuli Grantham
Sarah Harrington
Lynn Walker
April Laktonen Counceller
Hanna Sholl
Sophie Frets

For mo...

Today's special bonus episode of The Alaska Myth features an extended conversation with Tia Tidwell about her research on settler fantasies.

Tia Tidwell is an Assistant Professor of Alaska Native Studies. She belongs to the Nunamiut people of Anaktuvuk Pass and currently resides on the lands of the Lower Tanana and Dené people. Tia holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the Unive...

"The Last Frontier" is perhaps Alaska's most pervasive settler myth. But what does it mean to call Alaska a "last frontier?" How did it become so baked into our state's identity? And what does it mean to build Alaska's identity off a myth as antiquated as "the last frontier?"

In this episode, we discuss settler myths, get real about "the real Alaskan," and learn how th...

The Alaska Myth is a documentary podcast about the myths that shape how Alaskans view our history and ourselves. We explore how settler myths shape popular ideas about Alaska's history and identity, and deconstruct those myths.

The Alaska Myth is a production of Rosebay Audio, created and hosted by Kaitlin Armstrong.

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