Web and Woz Discover Eklutna Native Alaska Spirit Houses

This Russian Orthodox church includes a cemetery which mixes Alaska Native and Orthodox rites. The village is a Dena'ina Native village and before they were converted to Russian Orthodoxy around 1836, the Dena'ina people cremated their dead and placed the ashes in baskets in trees or along the riverbank in the belief that this would free the spirits to make their final journey to the High Country. Cremation was forbidden by Russian Orthodoxy, so small houses were constructed over the grave sites. The houses gave the spirits a place to go until they made their final journey. The belief was that it took 40 days. This is a phenomenal site that demonstrates the Alaska Native strength and abilities to maintain their culture and values despite Western Civilization takeovers.

References and Websites

• Eklutna Historical Park
  http://www.eklutnahistoricalpark.org/ 

• St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_St._Nicholas_Russian_Orthodox_Church.

• Spirit Houses
  http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/burial-spirit-houses