- Kendal Jasienski

A True Alaskan Native

                Seal had a dark complexion and deep black hair. Seal’s real name is Dustin Berristoff, but his native name is translated to Seal. He was born and raised in Alaska. He has been there his whole life, and is familiar with the culture. I met him at the Alaskan Native Heritage Center, where he works.
         Seal was born in Anchorage, but spent most of his life in Kodiak Island. He was performing with his dance group in the area and is now being taught by his current boss. They were dancing to a brand new song that was being brought back to Kodiak Island. While this was happening, Seal was telling him (his now current boss) about the history of his village and part of the history of the Ilutic Culture. Little did Seal know that the man was also Ilutic. The man noticed how much Seal wanted to keep his culture alive- that led to him offering Seal a job.
         It is now his fifth summer working at the Alaskan Native Heritage Center. Seal mainly teaches people about traditions of his culture and how it was back then. He loves his job, and would like to get out and travel someday. However, he worries that it would be too alien for him to leave his homeland.
         Seal’s favorite thing about Alaska is the subsistence. Such as fishing, bunting, and gathering. He also said he enjoys the beauty of Alaska- he loves beautiful landscape of the Last Frontier.
         Out of my visit at the Alaskan Native Heritage Center, I met an intelligent man who knew a lot of Alaska’s history. I feel very informed and lucky to have met an individual of such knowledge.