Berries
Kiipmiq
Iñupiaq Name: Kiipmiq phonetic spelling: kip-mick plural: Kiipmit translation / other information unknown English Name: Cranberry Scientific Name Vaccinium vitis-idaea Source: L.
The cranberry plant is a low shrub that grows very well on the open tundra around Golovin. The 5-6 inch high plants are evergreen and can be found under the snow in the winter. The leaves are about a quarter of an inch long. The top of the leaf is bright green and the underneath side is light silvery-green. The flowers are a white to pink and have the same urn shape as blueberry plants. Both blueberries and cranberries are in the same plant genus. Cranberries are bright red at maturity, and green and red during maturation. Kiipmit are picked during the fall season after the first frost. The freezing of the berries has a ripening effect on the berries. Cranberries are a main staple for the people of Golovin. Cranberries are mixed with other berries for dessert throughout the winter months. The most basic way to eat cranberries is with milk and sugar, but they are commonly made into jams, pancake syrups, and baked in cakes and breads. Traditionally, berries were added to Eskimo desserts like akutuq and greens and berries. In 1993 my grandma became very sick with pneumonia, and was not expected to live. Miracles were performed on her and she recovered in time to return to Golovin before cranberry season had passed. Climbing hills was a challenge for her, as her lungs were in a fragile state, but she said that she managed to get on the hill behind Golovin and she picked 8 cranberries. She told me that she just savored those few berries because she had thought she would never pick another berry again. Miracles do happen every day.