Joel flies to Utqiagvik, Alaska, known as Barrow, the northernmost city in the United States of America stopping over in Dead Horse. In Utqiagvik Joel meets Richard Itta, the only Deaf man in Utqiagvik at the famous Whale Bone Arch, and takes a tour of the town, learning about the way of life 330 miles above the Arctic Circle. Learn how whaling plays an important part of the local population’s life, meet the mayor of the North Slope Borough, and see the local artwork in the most northern story No Barriers has taken you on yet!

More Information:
Alaska Travel
North Slope Borough

10 comments

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  • WOW! That’s really amazing. I’m very impressed with only Deaf Richard itta who toured you around in Barrow to share about his life especially whale thing that is very interesting. I like this one of unique video! and That was worth of your visit and great experience! Thumbs up!! =)

  • Another interesting journey Joel takes us to. Learn so much via his travels. Can’t wait to watch your next journey. Thanks, Joel

  • Wow, it is so FABULOUS to educational us north arctic in USA. That is so fascinated !!! Especially the whale, I learned new term part of the body whale. Interesting to cut up really thick whale meat to celebrate big family.

    I am glad that Richard guide you around and also meet his relatives. They obviously are friendly and communication pretty well. His brother used British old fashioned finger-spell simliar to my grandmother used fingerspell. Her old Deaf friend from British. It brought a good memories of my grandmother when I watched this video. 😀

  • Oh, my goodness! I have not seen Richard since we graduated in 1964! That is 47 years!! It was good to see him! I was surprise to see Gary Hendrix! I think the last time I saw him was 1983(?) when WSD had a birthday celebration in Portland, Oregon. Thank you, Joel for going to Barrow, Alaska! It was good to see Richard and Gary!

  • Dear Joel
    I am so glad that I watched your video of your trip to Barrow before too late. I planned to go to Barrow with a group of 10 thru the Northbound w/Barrow Adventure tour for four days and 3 nights. Van up to Prubue Bay then flight to Barrow stay overnight flight back to Fairbanks. I wd love very much to meet Richard and if it is possible that he can show me around the town like yours. Appreciate if you could tell me how I could contact him. also his brother who is a Mayor. amazing!! Oh I planned to go to Alaska for one month from June 30 to July 29. I planned to go there on Sat July 7 with a tour. Look forward to hearing from you asap. Your trip was so interesting, thanks for sharing it with us.

  • Dear Joel,
    good great u going to North Barrow, alaska i know richard itta a deaf with brothers and sisters family live in Brw, ak village.
    i,m full Eskimo Deaf and my good friends a man deaf here live in
    ANAKTUVUK PASS, AK VILLAGE HAVE IT BIGGER MOUNTAIN THERE BUT WE WILL GO OUT CAMPING AND HUNTING CARIBOU NEXT FALL TIME.
    TAKE CARE YOUR SELF.
    THANKS MARTHA

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