Wish List Point Hope

“They fashioned everything out of the tundra and whale bones.” – Photographer Clark James Mishler

Wish List Point Hope

Point Hope is a rural community in Northwest Alaska. The sparse gravel spit the oceanside village sits on belies the incredibly rich customs and traditions the community has relied on. Photographer Clark James Mishler showcases images of Alaska’s Native subsistence lifestyle in video ‘Wish List Point Hope.’

“Before they started bringing lumber up here to build houses, they fashioned everything out of the tundra and whale bones,” Mishler described. His photographs document the annual Unagsiksiksauq (Clan Boat Celebration), Qagruq (Whaling Feast) at Point Hope. “Those kinds of experiences are hard to explain,” Mishler said. To represent experiences, Mishler captures vivid moments in his photographs. He believes “50 years from now they’re going to be even more important.”

Wish List Point Hope Alaska annual whaling tradition photography Mishler

Wish List Point Hope Alaska annual whaling tradition photography Mishler

Wish List Point Hope video | Frontier Scientists YouTube

(Wish List Point Hope Alaska annual whaling tradition photography Mishler)

Frontier Scientists: presenting scientific discovery in the Arctic and beyond

Related Videos

Project Summary

Alaska Photo Anthro

Alaska Photo Anthro

Alaska Photo Anthropology — Photographer Clark James Mishler photographs culture in Alaska, capturing images as a form of visual anthropology documenting local life, including an ongoing portrait-a-day portfolio. Mishler visits rural Alaska to photograph Native subsistence techniques. Subsistence activities make possible customs and traditions…... Read More >