How do you get around? Here in Kalskag, we travel around in trucks, cars, four-wheelers, boats, canoes, snow machines, and dog sleds. Basically, this is how we have been traveling for many decades. It goes all the way back to our ancestors when they used dog sleds and canoes.

    Dog sleds were the very first methods of transportation here. Our ancestors have been using this method for many years until trucks and other machines were introduced to Kalskag. It has been a life-long tradition and people still travel with dog sleds even toady. People travel around with machines now in the modern days but that does not mean our culture is forgotten. We still use dog sleds when the Kuskokwim 300 happens around the village. The type of dogs you would use are huskies. There kinds of dogs can smell out a trial in the wilderness and get you out of ever being lost.

Canoes are great for traveling across water. It will save you money on gas. It is basically made out of wood. Of course, you will need a paddle to travel in the canoe though.

Have you ever traveled in a canoe before? I have! I must say it is really quite and adventurous. It will take a little longer to get to your destination but it will e worth it. Anyway, during your journey, you can listen to the peaceful music and harmony of mother nature.

This is how our ancestors traveled up and dowm the kuskokwim River  before we used moter-engineered boats. They  would usually travel to their fish camps to cut fish, go fishing and go hunting.

Usually the canoe is made from plywood and is diamond shaped. The oar you would use is long, has a top handle, a handle in the middle, and a very long wide end meant for a paddling you way through the water. The most the canoe could hold was three people or 500 pounds, otherwise if would sink underwater.

The old traditional ways are still with us, but sometimes we use machines too. The culture of old transportation is very useful when you can’t use machines. Just remember that traditional transportation is highly recommended and you might be surprised about it. If you are going to travel, do it the traditional way!