The dominant ridge due west of Arctic Village is the Dhahedse Ridge, its the eastern flank of Paddle Mountain. 
It was a gorgeous evening in Arctic Village. The Brooks Range was illuminated with an alpenglow spotlight all evening. After dinner the Rev. Trimble and a visiting minister from Venetie grabbed acoustic guitars. They sang gospel songs for a while on the front porch. I would have stayed until conclusion, but I had already committed to the kids I would open the school gym for basketball night.
Arctic Village is turning me into a heavy carnivore. My plate here is loaded with Moose and Caribou, all killed locally, some killed yesterday.
830-1000 Language Arts (MS, 5-8)
1000-1105 Math (MS, 5-8)
1105-1135 Math/PE (MS, 5-8) (Math T/Th, PE M/W/F)
1135-1215 Lunch
1215-1235 Gwich ‘in Studies (taught by Grandma Lillian)
1235-125 Writing & Art (MS, 5-8)
125-230 English (HS, 9-12)
230-330 PE (HS, 9-12)
Teaching middle school math was a compromise. I was originally hired to teach social studies and language arts. I've split math duties with my principal, he's teaching high school math and social studies. I'm very excited about teaching English/Language Arts. It will also be fun running the PE program, maybe i'll put them in an extended rectangle formation first thing!
I think Upper Cloud Mountain is becoming one of my local favorites.
This view is taken from "Old Town", essentially one of the older portions of the village on a peninsula sticking into Chandalar River.
The Arctic Village School, looking south. The water at the bottom of the frame is not the East Fork of the Chandalar River, but a small tributary. There are several fingers and ponds in close proximity to the main channel of the river.
The town boat ramp. The river is more of a highway than fishery. Some fish are caught here, but mostly fed to the dogs. Last week a local took his boat upstream and killed a moose. The village of Venetie is about 80 miles downstream.
This is the original village church. Like a lot of the interior Athabascan region, Arctic Village was originally settled by Episcopalian missionaries- unlike the coastal regions that are primarily Russian Orthodoxy. This church is no longer used for services. Gretchen and I have not been inside yet, but were invited to do so by Franklin, a local that renovated the church. Apparently there is very ornate bead work done by several of the local women.
Here is the village post office. 
Arctic Village School seen from the bridge crossing a small tributary pond to the river.
This is the village washeteria. Since our village has no running water services locals can do laundry or take showers here. It costs $5 for a shower and $4 for a load of laundry. Gretchen and I are free to use the schools facilities since I'm employed with the district. One of the many perks working in the school is running water, making positions in the school very sought after.
The front door of the school.
The new Arctic Village School has only been open for one full school year. It was completed in 2008/2009. The old school was converted into two apartments for teacher housing.
The focal point for all village kids is the gym. Ours is not quite a full size gym. It also serves as the multi purpose room and cafeteria.
This is the math and science classroom. I might share this room to teach middle school math.
This is the social studies/english classroom. The previous english teacher must have had a limitless credit card for books. The shelves are covered with a wide variety of books from middle school level all the way to collegiate. Considering my average high school student has an elementary reading level it may be heard to get them through Candide by Voltaire or The Metamorphis by Kafka- but I will save that for a later post.
My favorite part of the school is this room in the center. It divides the middle/high school portions from the elementary/library part of the building. Based off Athabascan architecture, with photographs of the village Elders hanging around mid-ceiling. 
Benches and unique lighting invite students to linger and contemplate the culture in which they descend from.
As I said, I'm still learning my Gwich' in so I don't know what this means yet.
The elementary school room, still being setup after summer school trashed it.
The Library also serves as a sort of multipurpose room for music, computers, video teleconferencing, and sometimes Gwich' in Studies.
With a huge variety of books, more are being shipped in each year. Anybody want to volunteer for a librarian position?
Jasper, always the photogenic one; these are the last two photos I took of him.
Our flight had a quick stop in Fort Yukon to drop off one passenger. This Village is located on the Yukon River. My district, Yukon Flats School District, is headquartered in Fort Yukon.
We flew on a "Navajo" aircraft, normally seating about 7, this time full of our junk.
No, they didnt let me fly- but I did ride in the co-pilot seat.
Approaching Arctic Village, nestled in the Brooks mountain range with the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the North.
The biggest building in town, seen with a red roof in the picture is the school.
Settling into our cabin we were amazed to find Luther's Small Catechism.
This is the dog corner, puppies tired from travels.
At the rear of the cabin is the door to a unheated storage room with chest freezer and other various items.
The kitchen.
Sink and front door. No running water, we fill the 5 gallon jugs at the washateria located near the school.
Our queen size bed.
Gretchen unloading boxes. About 2/3 of our belongings have arrived so far via mail service. The truck belongs to the school.
Here is our beautiful cabin. 