Illustration & Narration

Ms. Bates, Teacher
Gabrielle A. Grade 4
Ethan B. Grade 4
Payton B. Grade 4
Dymond S. Grade 4
Seneca C.-A. Grade 6
Crystalee S. Grade 6
Lewis W. Grade 7

Ms. Bellamy, Teacher
Owen B. Grade 1
Kyler B. Grade 1
Clayton B. Grade 1
Caleb K. Grade 3
Avionna A. Grade 3
Claudia K. Grade 3

Oral History Stories
Madeline Williams, Elder

Community
Hugh Bifelt
Thelma Nicholi 

Staff
Agnes Williams, Aide
Sigwein Cleveland, Janitor 

Thanks To
Principal Patty White and Superintendent Kerry Boyd for their leadership in making the Hughes Book Slam possible.

Book Slam Project Management
Steve Nelson, Project Coordinator
Consortium for Digital Learning
Association of Alaska School Boards
Cheryl Bobo, Site Facilitator

© 2019 Yukon-Koyukuk School District

History

Read By Payton

Hughes was originally a fish camp and a meeting place for people from Huslia and Allakaket. It was located on the island west of present day Hughes. Natives lived there in summer and in the winter they moved to their winter hunting grounds. 

1.

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Gold

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Read By Clayton

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Then in 1904 gold was discovered. During that time, Hughes served as a riverboat landing and supply port for the Indian River gold fields. Mining stopped in 1915 and many white people left the area. Natives moved to the log homes on the east bank and took up permanent residence in Hughes. 

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People

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When mining took off there were roughly 2,000 people living in Hughes. Today in 2019 there are 119 people living in Hughes . 

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Read By Gabrielle

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3.

Location

Hughes village was incorporated in 1973 and is 3 1/10 square miles. Hughes also has tribal land that covers 69,120 acres. 

Read By Owen

4.

The Land

Read By Avionna 

Hughes is on the east side of the Koyukuk river and on the southern edge of the Brooks Range. To the east is a hill and then Indian Mountain. To the north is Red Mountain. To the west is Hughes Creek and Grandpa Joe’s Country. To the south is Bear and Sun Mountain and Matthew Slough. 

5.

Hughes solar panel field

The Village

Located in the city are: about 38 homes, the clinic, school, city office, tribal office, tribal hall, airport, store, water plant, power plant, and the largest solar panel field in Alaska. 

Read By Name

Read By Lewis 

6.

Animals

Read By Crystalee 

There are three types of cool animals in Hughes: tamed animals, wildlife for nourishment, and free range wildlife. The tamed animals are dogs and one cat. The dogs were used for traveling and are now used for racing. Wildlife that provide nourishment are bear, caribou, moose, geese, ducks, willow grouse, rabbit, beaver, muskrat and fish. 

7.

Subsistence

Read By Dymond

The fish we get from the river are pike, king salmon, sea fish, white fish, and lush suckers. These feed both humans and dogs. They are captured with seining nets, fishing rods, and fish traps in the winter. 

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