04x17 - Special Salmon/Love Your Locks

[bunniefuu]

Hey, everyone-- it's me, Molly!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

Let's go!

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

[laughing]: Whooo!

♪ By plane or sled or snowshoe ♪

♪ She is ready to explore

♪ From Kaktovik down to Juneau ♪

♪ Always wanting to learn more ♪

Yeah!

♪ Together with her best friend Tooey ♪

♪ Always by her side And Trini!

♪ Discovering the outdoors ♪

♪ On adventures day and night

♪ Come along with Molly

♪ Molly

♪ Through fields of fireweed

♪ Come along with Molly ♪

♪ Molly

♪ From tundra to the sea

Mahsi'choo-- let's go!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

Yeah!

♪ She's Molly of Denali

♪ Come on ♪ Let's go!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

MOLLY: "Special Salmon."

MOLLY [imitating Julia Child]: Welcome back to an extra, extra special edition

of The Athabascan Chef.

Today we're making a very special dish.

[laughs]

[normal voice]: It's a super yummy king salmon recipe

that my great-great grandma...

or great-great-great grandma...?

Or...

Well, an awesomely great grandma passed it down

to my Grandpa Nat, then to my mom,

and now to me.

For this recipe, we'll be using wild potatoes,

green onions, tundra tea, and of course...

some super fresh luk choo.

But before we start cooking,

this recipe comes with a story.

See, it's not just a recipe,

it's a connection to my culture and to my family.

And it all started when I thought Grandpa forgot

to get the luk choo.

[chiming]

GRANDPA NAT [sighing]:

I didn't forget the luk choo.

We didn't catch any.

[lure jangling]

We got some silver salmon

and sockeyes,

but no luk choo.

But it's June!

There's usually lots of luk chooin the river by now.

There's fewer and fewer every year,

and not just here.

It's happening all over Alaska.

Huh... I wonder why?

One reason is a lot of people are overfishing.

Mm-hmm.

They're taking too many king salmon

out of the ocean.

So they never even make it to our rivers.

The temperature is another reason there are fewer luk choo.

Yeah.

King salmon need nice, cold water.

But the oceans and rivers are warming up more every year.

Oh no.

Will there be any king salmon in the river at all?

I sure hope so.

Besides being so important for our people's way of life,

king salmon are yummy.

Mmm, mmm, mmm. [giggles]

We were just heading out to try a different spot.

Maybe we'll get some luk choothere.

Wanna tag along?

Absolutely!

♪ ♪

Hi, Joe!

Hi, David!

Hey, Molly!

Hi there!

They're guests at our bunkhouse.

Oh.

Morning! Good morning!

Sure is beautiful. [water splashing]

Thanks for having us here.

Oh, I got one!

Whoa! [splashing]

[Molly gasps]

Look! There are king salmon in the river!

JOE: Ha! Oh! Okay!

Strike a pose, David. [camera shutter clicking]

Ha! Got it!

Uh... was there something wrong with that salmon?

We're trying to catch a bigking salmon

for some awesome photos.

We only have permission to keep one.

DAVID:So we're throwing the smaller ones back

until we get a giant one!

So you've caught more than just that one?

Mm-hmm.

Only one other king, but lots of other fish too.

Oh...

Well, good luck... I guess.

Thanks, you too!

See ya. Okay, bye.

UNCLE JACK: So long.

[splashing]

[reel winding]

Ah, no king salmon yet,

but we've done pretty well, huh, Shgguya?

Something wrong, Molly?

Well...

I know you said there are fewer fish here

because of warmer water and overfishing,

but those king salmon being caught just to be thrown back,

I don't know why, but it's bothering me.

I can see that.

That's not how we treat salmon.

Our Native ways of living

mean you respect everything around you.

Mm-hmm.

Our beliefs tell us not to harm creatures

for fun, or photos. [reel winding]

The animals that give themselves to us

deserve our respect.

Even if we're eating them?

Especially if we're eating them.

Your guests don't mean any harm,

they just don't know about our beliefs.

[casting line, water splashes]

In Tlingit legend,

we have an important story about this.

And of course,

it starts with Raven, who is very hungry.

♪ ♪

[cawing]

At this time, people were really struggling

to find things to eat,

and Raven's stomach was rumbling.

♪ ♪

[rumbling]

And suddenly,

he saw Fog Woman,

who was very kind, and very beautiful.

And Raven was instantly besotted.

So, Raven fell in love with Fog Woman,

and eventually they got married.

Fog Woman saw how hungry the people were,

and decided to give them a gift.

She dipped her hat into the water,

and out spilled all sorts of salmon.

Thel'ook, téel',

thecháas', gaat,

and of course the bigt'á, the king salmon,

were in the ocean and rivers.

And the people caught them and ate so well.

They weren't hungry anymore.

But soon Raven began to eat more than he needed,

and he wasted many fish

by catching them but not eating them at all.

And he started to be

very mean to Fog Woman. [Raven cawing]

Fog Woman did not like how

Raven was treating the salmon,

and how he was treating her.

So, she left him,

and turned into the fog.

And she took the salmon with her.

♪ ♪

[wings flapping]

The people were very hungry once again,

and didn't know what they were going to eat

over the long winter.

Fog Woman saw how hungry the people were,

and decided she would bring back the salmon,

but this time,

just for a little while.

And as long as the people respected the salmon,

and didn't waste the gift,

the salmon would come back every year

so the people could catch enough to last the winter.

We still tell that story

to remind us of all the things we can do

to respect the creatures and land around us.

Like only catching what we need?

Exactly.

MOLLY: Hm...

[reel winding]

Hey, Molly!

Catch any big ones?

A few,

but no king salmon today.

Bummer. We caught a bunch!

We threw them back once we got photos of them.

Yeah, and people love the photos.

It's fun. [line whirring]

[water splashing]

I have fun fishing too,

but, if it's all right with Uncle Jack,

I'd like to tell you a story about salmon,

and a very special person named Fog Woman.

And that's how the story of Fog Woman

reminds us to respect the fish.

[sighs] That's a beautiful story.

I never thought about how catching salmon we aren't eating

might be disrespectful.

Thank you for telling us that story, Molly.

Hey, I got one! [splashing]

[laughing]: And it's a big one!

Whoa!

I'm so grateful this salmon gifted itself to us.

And, well,

I'd like to share it with you, Molly.

Mahsi'choo.

And thank you again.

I wish there was a way to tell more people

the story of Fog Woman.

Hm...

I think I know a way.

And thanks to Joe and David

gifting us the luk choo they caught,

we can make my great great...

Great!

...great grandmother's special recipe.

But before we make it, let's talk about

why there are fewer king salmon in the river.

I made this poster about information I found

from a website I trust.

This line shows that the king salmon population

is getting smaller and smaller every year.

People who study salmon,

like my Shchada'a and Uncle Jack,

say it's because the water is warmer,

and because so many salmon are being caught in the ocean

before they get to our rivers.

But there are a few things all of us can do to help,

right, Shchada'a?

Yup.

"Take only what you need

to eat or use."

"Take care of the land and water around us."

And "respect all creatures."

Especially if we're going to eat them.

For many years to come.

Speaking of eating...

Okay, we have the wild potatoes,

green onions, tundra tea, and of course,

freshly caught luk choo,

courtesy of Joe and David.

We're all ready!

Let's get cooking.

DAVID: Oh, wow!

This looks delicious.

You know, I've never had fresh salmon before.

I usually get it frozen at the store.

Oh, wow. Yum.

I could eat this every day.

[chuckles]

Say, you two want to hear a story about Doyonh?

Yeah! Sure!

MOLLY: Ooh! I love this one.

Well, me and my brother Cliff

were camping just outside Talkeetna...

Hey, everyone!

Molly here to answer your questions about life in Alaska.

Paul in Arkansas asks, "What is fish camp like?"

My friends can show you.

ALL: Hi, Molly.

Today we're getting fish from the fish wheel.

GIRL: Salmon is really important

to our Alaska Native culture and diet.

BOY: Our auntie taught us how the fish wheel works.

WOMAN: That wheel, it goes round and round

and the fish goes into the pocket.

BOY: I had some questions.

Why does it have to face that direction?

Because the fish swim upstream.

And the net faces that direction

because the fish will swim right into the net.

Why do you put it in this spot?

WOMAN: Water has to be fast enough and deep enough

for the wheel to spin.

♪ ♪

BOY: We helped put the fish in the bucket.

♪ ♪

This came from the fish wheel.

♪ ♪

GIRL: Now we have our fish all ready,

and we're gonna learn how to cut it.

BOY: How do I know where to put my knife?

WOMAN: Just feel along with your knife and you can feel that bone

as you're going underneath it.

♪ ♪

BOY: This is the smokehouse where we hang our fish.

♪ ♪

GIRL: Why do we hang the fish?

WOMAN: So that it can dry,

and then the smoke gives it flavor.

♪ ♪

GIRL: Smoking the fish preserves it, so we can eat it all year round.

♪ ♪

ALL: Bye, Molly!

MOLLY: Mahsi'choo!

Thanks for asking, and see you next time!

MOLLY: "Love Your Locks."

WALTER: Is it a tree?

Right again, Dad!

Okay, your turn.

Let's see.

I spy with my little eye something...

gray.

[gasps]

It's the Sitka Airport.

We're here!

Woohoo!

Get ready for landing.

[plane droning]

MOLLY: Hey, Randall.

[laughing]: Hi, Uncle Jack.

[laughing]: Hey!

Hi, Aunt Merna.

Ooh, good to see you!

Randall, why are you wearing

that hat in summer?

Aren't you hot?

[nervous laughing]: 'Cause...

you know, it's cool.

That's why.

If it's cool,

how come you're sweating?

AUNT MERNA: He means it's a cool teenage fashion trend.

He hasn't taken that hat off in months.

[laughs]

Well, gotta keep up with the hip kids.

[laughter]

WALTER: Hoo, I am starved.

♪ ♪

I spy something strange.

[adults laughing]

[whispering]: Psst, Randall.

Did you get a bad haircut or something?

Uh...

No. Why?

I saw you tuck your hair into your hat

like you're hiding it.

Are you scared to show your hair?

I'm not scared!

But I guess since you're my little cuz,

I can show you.

Follow me.

[sighs]

♪ ♪

Schroonchyaa!

Your hair is beautiful.

And so long!

So now you know why I've been wearing this hat all the time.

To hide your hair?

Why?

Will you get in trouble for growing it out?

Nah, they wouldn't mind me having long hair.

I'm hiding it because I'm gonna use my hair

in a mask I'm making for Uncle Jack.

It's a surprise.

Whoa, really?

That's great!

What's it for? His birthday?

Or, uh, Uncle's Day?

No, I just wanted to make a thank you gift for him

for teaching me so much about carving.

He opened my eyes to a lot of Tlingit history

and stories about our culture.

So, I decided to repay him

by gifting him something I carved.

Wow.

I didn't know Tlingit people used hair on masks.

Yeah. Here, I'll show you.

Northwest Coast Design: Stories Through Art.

Hey, I remember this book.

[laughs] It's a good one, right?

It's got lots of info about Tlingit art.

I read it a bunch of times and can tell you the key points.

The author says having long hair

shows that someone has a strong connection to all things.

Our people call it a spiritual connection.

What's spiritual connection mean?

It's like something you feel deep inside.

Like when you're singing songs written by our ancestors,

and you feel a part of everything around you.

Oh, yeah.

I love that feeling.

Me, too.

So when a person grows out their hair,

they're strengthening their connection to all things,

at least that's what Tlingit People believe.

Whoa, that's amazing.

Right?

The author also says Tlingit people believe

their carvings are alive.

Alive?

[laughs]

Not like alive-alive,

like you and me,

but it has that deep connection feeling.

Spirit?

Yes, exactly!

Hm...

So you growing your hair long

means your spirit and your connection to all things

has grown strong too?

Yeah.

So, if you put your hair

onto the mask for Uncle Jack,

you're giving him something really powerful.

Very. Wow.

That is so cool!

Can I see your mask?

Is it finished?

[laughs] Almost.

[gasps] [barking]

AUNT MERNA: Mmm...

[wood chips crunching]

What are you kids up to? [yips]

[grunts] Uh...

Uh, Randall's pretending to be a wood chip monster!

[chuckling]: See?

Uh-- [roaring]

[nervous laughs]

Well, now that you've seen it,

guess we'd better head inside.

[nervous laughs]

[wood chips crunching] [sighs]

[quietly]: Molly, can you do me a huge favor?

Sure, what?

Could you help me cut my hair tonight?

I want to give Uncle his mask tomorrow,

while you're all here.

It would be so special.

[squeals]

I'd love to.

Sweet!

And one more thing. Mm-hmm?

Could you keep an eye on my hair?

I don't want it to slip out and ruin Uncle Jack's surprise.

Sure thing.

It only has to stay hidden a few more hours.

How hard can that be?

[adults laughing]

[gasps] Randall!

[grunts]

Uh, let's take a selfie... [camera clicks]

[barks]

[whispering]: Thank you!

[bird cawing]

♪ ♪

[cawing]

[barks]

Ow! [gasps]

[grunting]

[dog barking, bird cawing]

[laughs nervously]

That raven gave me a little nibble.

[chuckles]

Mmm. [dog yips]

Phew! Phew!

Who knew guarding hair would be so hard?

[sighs] Once they're all asleep,

we can sneak out and cut my hair.

You look good with your hair long.

Maybe after this you can regrow it again?

Yeah, I think I might.

♪ ♪

[light snoring in other room]

[whispering]: Sounds like everyone is asleep.

You ready?

Yes.

Let's go.

♪ ♪

What are those for?

We need to put my hair into a bunch of ponytails

before we cut it.

Why?

To keep it from falling all over the place after it's cut.

But first, I want to make the holes

a little bigger to fit more of my hair in.

[gasps]

It's so beautiful!

I can't believe you actually made that.

Aww.

Thanks, cuz.

[chewing gum]

Uh, the gum helps me stay calm while I'm carving.

Gotcha.

[bubbles burst loudly]

[sighs]

All right, the carving's done.

[dog barks]

Phew, it's just you!

[bubble bursts loudly]

Aganna!Oh no!

Molly!

[gasps]

Randall! Your hair!

Get it out, get it out, get it out! [struggling] Oh!

[dog whining] Can you do it?

Come on, come on! Is it okay?

Is it that bad? [dog barking]

Oh!

Dolt'ol!Shh!

Please be quiet! [dog barking]

Before you wake everybody up!

AUNT MERNA: Too late.

[dog panting]

Auntie Merna!

[laughs nervously]

You don't know how to get gum out of hair, do you?

[dog grumbles]

Well, at least now I know

what the hat business was all about.

Is Uncle Jack's mask going to stink like vinegar now?

Nope.

The vinegar will rinse right out

and it will make your hair very shiny.

Oh!

Cool.

♪ ♪

[scissors snip]

♪ ♪

[scissors snip]

[scissors snip]

♪ ♪

[sighs]

It's finished.

Gunalchéesh for all your help.

I can't wait till Uncle Jack sees it.

[clears throat]

Uncle, I wanted to thank you

for teaching me how to carve

and for letting me be your apprentice.

I learned so much.

I couldn't think of a better way to give thanks

than to carve something for you.

♪ ♪

[gasps]

Oh.

Gunalchéesh,nephew.

This is a truly beautiful mask

and I'm honored to have it.

I can't wait to dance in it!

Where did you get the hair from, Randall?

Let's just say...

I kept it under my hat.

Oh! [laughter]

Wearing that winter hat for months on end

was pretty rough, but it was totally worth it.

♪ ♪

[laughter]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪