Module 1   Qanuq Ilitaavut (Way of Knowing)


the past, uniat are lashed together rather than nailed or screwed. This allows the sled to bend and flex over rough ice and uneven terrain.


A sled can easily weigh up to 1,400 pounds when fully loaded, carrying equipment and five weeks of supplies for two people and 12 dogs. The Polar Huskies average in weight about 85 to 90 pounds (39 to 41 kilograms); each Polar Husky pulls one and a half times its weight, and 10 to 12 dogs are hooked up to one sled. A Polar Husky team consists of lead dog(s), point dogs, team dogs, and wheel dogs. The average speed with a fully loaded sled is two to four miles an hour.


While some Arctic sled dogs pull the sleds in what is called fan style, the Polar Huskies pull in tandem (pairs), or with three to four dogs at the back of the team in the first couple of sections right in front of the sled. The commands used by Team GoNorth! to navigate the dog team are chaw (for left), gee (for right), and whoa (stop). What is said to get the teams going varies from team member to team member, but all agree that it is most often said in a high-pitched, encouraging tone—such as “Yip yip!” “Hop!” or “Drrriiiiii!”


Just as similar sleds are common to virtually all Arctic peoples, and their designs adapted to local needs, the same can be said of dwellings. In the region of Alaska where Team GoNorth! is traveling, an itchalik is a common Arctic dwelling. Made from bent willow poles, it is a structure of arches—it is remarkably sturdy, while also easily transportable. In fact, the tents that Team GoNorth! sleep in every night are modeled on this traditional construction.


Please refer to Teacher Notes 1-4a “Sleds and Dogs” to learn more detail on sleds and dogs.


Procedure:


1. Meet the Polar Huskies! Watch the movie “Team Work,” available in Classics of the Scrapbook in Explore at PolarHusky.com.


2. Ask the students why they think Team GoNorth! is traveling by dog team. Talk about the fact that this is a traditional way of traveling in the winter for people living in Arctic—the region where Team GoNorth! is traveling—and that much of what the team members know about how to travel, and the equipment they use, is based on knowledge passed on from the people living in Arctic places, like Beringia.


As a class, set up two or three Polar Husky dog teams of 10 to 12 dogs, where the students are the dogs. Use Teacher Notes 1-4a “Sleds and Dogs” as your guide.


Note: This information is also available for students to study on their own at The Ropes in the Dog Yard of Logistics at PolarHusky.com


Practice saying the commands used by Team GoNorth! and the Polar Huskies for right (gee), left (chaw), and stop (whoa).


3. So how far will the Polar Huskies and Team GoNorth! go on this expedition? Share with students that before the end of the school year in June, the Polar Huskies will be running and pulling the sleds almost 1,700 miles (about 2,700 or more kilometers) to get to their destination!


PolarHusky.com © NOMADS Online Classroom Expeditions GoNorth! Beringia 2011 Curriculum 25


Background Activity 1-4


Assessment: Upon completion of this activity students should: - Know the principles of running a dog team (Teacher Notes 1-4a “Sleds and Dogs”).


- Understand the con- struction of a traditional dwelling and compare design elements to that of a modern tent (Teacher Notes 1-4c “Tents and Arches”).


- Make and evaluate the strength of arches (Teacher Notes 1-4d “Human Tent Arch”)


- Have a visual understand- ing of the spatial dimen- sions by marking out the setup of a tent to scale (Student Page 1-4 “Home Sweet Home”).


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