What does it take to call yourself a real Alaskan? (Anchorage: transplants, construction)

[alaskaboy]

I'm curious to know what your personal point of view is on this? What criteria do you set for yourself, or for others before they can say....." I'm an Alaskan."

Does it happen once you qualify for a dividend? After you spend a winter here with no complaints? After you have been to at least one remote location in the state? Or does it take years to develop with the intent to stay the long haul?

I know a family who moved like 15 times in 12 years. They came to Alaska about a year ago, built a home, then left, yet they call themselves "Alaskans." Is it just me, or does someone else have a hard time seeing this? I've lived 28 of my 40 years here and consider myself an Alaskan. I've covered almost every inch of this state and taken all the good and bad in stride while living here. It wasn't until about a decade ago I started referring to myself as an "Alaskan."

What do you folks think?

[Rance]

I think your right. And I think those other guys are posers. I'd say anyone that considers this place the last place they will live...Alaskan.

[Metlakatla]

You don't really choose it...it chooses you, whether you think you want it to or not.

[akdotter]

Having been here the same amount of time (28 years) as alaskaboy, I really have to agree with him. I have yet to get very far north of Circle but there are few places in the rest of Alaska I haven't worked in. Ketchikan, Attu, Shishmaref, McGrath, Eagle, Yakutat and all villages and other places in between. I came up here from rural western Montana and spent 10 years living and working in the bush. Not really sure I qualify yet, but I think I'm getting close. Don't consider myself a cheechako anymore but............

[Xa'at]

Yeah, it annoys me when people down south tell me they're Alaskan and then I find out they spent like a summer here.
Because I was born here, there's never been a time when I've considered myself as anything but Alaskan. Sure, I've spent extended periods away over my lifetime, but I always end up right back where I started, and I guess that's what it's all about, right?
On the other hand, I think it's a state of mind. I know people who have lived up here for a long time, but they just don't seem Alaskan to me- maybe because they always want to change things- build roads, welcome the cruise ships, etc etc. On the other hand, people like Cobolt who have spent lots of time here and know the area but don't actually live here... definitely more Alaskan than not.

[Barkingowl]

A very interesting thread. I feel the draw very strongly. Not the allure of moving someplace different but an almost physical draw as if some force is telling me where I must go. Don't worry Xa'at, I'm not drinking the Koolaid. I may travel by ship but I'm definitely not a tourist.

[rotorhead]

I'd say that some seem born to it either literally or attitude-wise, but some are definately NOT. It's the latter that seem to cause much of the aggrevation regardless of what they call themselves.

When we were living in the Anchorage area we knew a gal that had lived there over ten years and had never actually been out of the bowl past Eagle River, if you can believe it.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by alaskaboy

I'm curious to know what your personal point of view is on this? What criteria do you set for yourself, or for others before they can say....." I'm an Alaskan."

Does it happen once you qualify for a dividend? After you spend a winter here with no complaints? After you have been to at least one remote location in the state? Or does it take years to develop with the intent to stay the long haul?

I know a family who moved like 15 times in 12 years. They came to Alaska about a year ago, built a home, then left, yet they call themselves "Alaskans." Is it just me, or does someone else have a hard time seeing this? I've lived 28 of my 40 years here and consider myself an Alaskan. I've covered almost every inch of this state and taken all the good and bad in stride while living here. It wasn't until about a decade ago I started referring to myself as an "Alaskan."

What do you folks think?

The majority of folks born/raised here are real Alaskans. As for the transplants, to become a true Alaskan, do not come here for PFD checks. Come here for the reason to appreciate the beauty, and do not try to change things to make it like the place you left. Also, a real Alaskan has been here at least 5-years and still wants to stay. For us such as myself born and raised here, it is a given that Alaska is unique and needs to stay that way.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

When we were living in the Anchorage area we knew a gal that had lived there over ten years and had never actually been out of the bowl past Eagle River, if you can believe it.

That really doesn't say a bunch, because maybe she finally found her personal "comfort zone". But who knows....

"Alaskan" is an attitude, not a change of address form...

[Classic Satch]

My wife and I are really, really enthusiastic about our impending move. We are both PA natives, love the outdoors, and are truly looking forward to some serious hunting and fishing which CA pretty much precludes.

Case in point: they are trying to build a children's play park right near where we live but it was delayed because CA law stipulates that a study must be performed to determine whether the "noise impact" of it's construction would have an adverse affect on local wildlife. Yes, you heard that right. We live right in the middle of a huge development but God forbid that an animal or two might be disturbed by the installation of a swingset or slide. God help us all....

On another note, my wife and I are looking at this move as a great adventure (we're definitely prepared financially) and really want our 1-yr old daughter to grow up where the destructive influence of lower-48 idiocy is eliminated.



I want my munchkin to be able to, by the time she's 5-6 years old, shoot a .22 and build a computer.