Cottonwood Smoke, Fish Opener and The Polaris Project
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Cottonwood used for smoking fish.
Mark Leary
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Mark Leary lights the fire with birch bark and spruce kindling to get the cottonwood burning - only natural materials are ever used in the smudge.
Mark Leary
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Once the cottonwood catches it’s covered with tin so it will burn slow and smoky.";
Mark Leary
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During cool damp weather, a fan is kept on to circulate the air and smoke.
Mark Leary
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Chopped cottonwood ready for smoking fish.
Mark Leary
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Mark Leary's fish drying.
Mark Leary
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From left to right: Environmental Coordinator Darcy Peter and Scientist, Sue Natali.
Petra Harpak / KYUK
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From left to right: Scientist Sue Natali and Environmental Coordinator Darcy Peter.
Petra Harpak / KYUK