Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 270 - 233: Saving People 2

The women skillfully roasted the fresh, tender game, and the aroma of meat gradually filled the air. Many children gathered nearby, their mouths watering as they stared with longing.

The men were busy setting up the grounds, hanging high the various totem flags that symbolized the tribe’s glory, making them snap in the wind.

Ornaments meticulously strung together from animal bones and colorful stones were hung between the tents and trees, shimmering with a myriad of colors in the sunlight and adding a brilliant splash of life to the tribe.

As for the children, they were as excited as little unbridled reindeer, running all over the settlement, laughing and playing.

Feng Shan, surrounded by the Tribal Elders, sat on a soft bearskin rug.

The bearskin rug was thick and plush, exquisite to the touch, as if it could envelop a person completely in its warmth and comfort.

The moment he sat down, he noticed all sorts of items laid out before him.

Rows of exquisite ceramic containers filled with fruit were neatly arranged. Beside them lay various roasted meats and fish, all carefully wrapped in leaves.

The skin of the roasted meat was golden and crisp, while the inside remained tender and juicy. It had clearly been roasted with great care, and the aroma was simply mouthwatering.

Each piece of meat was also sprinkled with unique spices gathered from the surrounding area, further enhancing its enticing aroma.

’Ah.’

’No wonder Nash looks down on the Inuit.’

’When it comes to cuisine alone, the Athabasca people are leagues ahead of the Inuit.’

’They take perfectly good ingredients and turn them into culinary nightmares.’

’Whale meat boiled in seawater, air-dried shark, raw seal eyes, meat stewed in seal oil, pickled auks... Are any of those dishes something a normal person could eat?’

Besides the food, the bearskin rug also held exquisite ornaments made of colorful stones and animal bones. They were arranged in a beautiful pattern, apparently intended as a gift for Feng Shan.

"Khilla." Nash, dressed in tribal attire, approached Feng Shan with a middle-aged woman and several young men and women in tow. "This is my mother, and these are my younger siblings."

No sooner had he finished the introductions than the middle-aged woman and the young people moved to kneel before Feng Shan.

This startled Feng Shan. He hurried forward to stop them, putting on a mock-frightened expression. "You really mustn’t! Where I come from, it’s said that if an elder bows to a junior, it shortens the junior’s life."

"Khilla, you are the Tribal Elf—" Nash started to say, but Feng Shan cut him off with a look.

Then, regardless of whether the tribe members could understand him, Feng Shan stood up and spoke directly.

"It doesn’t matter who I am. We are all equals. If you try to kneel again, I’m leaving right now."

"And Nash, you won’t be coming back to the Crown Territory."

Before the words had even left his mouth, the atmosphere turned awkward.

Most of the Bear Tribe members didn’t know what Feng Shan had said, but seeing his anger, they all stood frozen in place, terrified.

The attending Tribal Elders looked troubled.

It was Jeff who stepped forward to ease the tension, explaining the reason to everyone.

After all, the Wild Bull Tribe had fully embraced an American-style education, so he knew Feng Shan disliked such traditional Athabasca customs.

Nash explained the situation to his mother in their native tongue. She then nodded at Feng Shan, which served as their formal greeting.

Once they were seated on the bearskin rug again, Jeff seized the opportunity to lean closer to Feng Shan. He lowered his voice, his tone explanatory.

"Feng, don’t take it personally. The Yosemite Bear Tribe is still a semi-traditional tribe. They place great importance on their culture, so their ways are a bit different from what we’re used to."

Feng Shan nodded in understanding, then asked curiously.

"Are there many tribes like this in Alaska? I remember the state government relocated many of them a long time ago. I even saw power lines in the Bear Tribe’s village."

Jeff looked up toward the Bear Tribe members celebrating cheerfully by a nearby bonfire, a complicated expression flickering in his eyes.

"The truth is, there are still some semi-traditional tribes like this in Alaska."

"Years ago, most Indigenous People accepted the American Government’s relocation policies. They chose to integrate into new living environments and adapt to the changes brought by modern civilization."

"But a small portion of the Indigenous People were unwilling to leave their lands. They still maintain this semi-traditional, tribal way of life, much like the Yosemite Bear Tribe."

Jeff sighed softly and continued.

"The Alaska Native Federation does its best to help these tribes. The Federation understands their cultural value and knows that their adherence to tradition is a vital part of Alaska’s history and culture."

"So, the Federation provides support in many ways, such as providing essential supplies, helping improve medical conditions, and promoting educational programs to give the children more learning opportunities."

Jeff’s brow furrowed slightly, the worry in his eyes deepening as he went on.

"But from the looks of it, the effects haven’t been very significant."

"Look. Even though they can still preserve their traditional ceremonies and live a relatively traditional life for now, the truth is that tribes like this are slowly disappearing. The impact of modern civilization is just too powerful. It’s like a rising tide, constantly eroding their original way of life."

Jeff paused, a look of pity crossing his face.

"More and more young people are drawn to the outside world, choosing to leave the tribe to pursue a so-called ’modern life’."

"They go to the cities to find jobs or get a higher education, but once they leave, very few ever return. Because of this, there are fewer and fewer people left in the tribe to pass on the culture and carry on traditions."

"Furthermore, as outside resource development encroaches on these lands, the tribes’ living space is continually shrinking. Many traditional skills and customs are now in danger of being lost forever due to a lack of people to inherit them."

Feng Shan’s heart was filled with a mix of emotions upon hearing this.

He quietly watched the Bear Tribe members immersed in their lively celebration nearby. Their simple smiles and traditional rituals now seemed to hold a heavier meaning in his eyes.

As he was lost in his complex thoughts, a wooden bowl was gently offered to him.

Feng Shan looked up instinctively.

A little girl from the Bear Tribe stood before him. She had bright, obsidian-like eyes, clear and pure. Her long black hair was draped casually over her shoulders, fluttering gently in the breeze as if in tender conversation with nature itself.

The little girl held the wooden bowl with both hands, offering it to Feng Shan with a hint of shyness, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Khilla, this is the fruit wine my mother made."

"Thank you!" A warm smile immediately appeared on Feng Shan’s face. He thanked the little girl sincerely and reached out to take the wooden bowl.

The bowl felt rustic and simple in his hands.

Without the slightest hesitation, Feng Shan tilted his head back and drained the bowl of fruit wine.

Seeing the bowl was empty, the little girl broke into a happy smile. She took the bowl back and skipped off to find her friends.

As the fruit wine went down, a rich, fruity fragrance mixed with a faint hint of alcohol instantly filled his mouth.

The flavor was mellow yet refreshing. At first, a clean, sweet fruitiness danced and bloomed on the tip of his tongue, as if the fragrance of an entire orchard was concentrated in that single sip.

Then, a perfectly balanced hint of alcohol slowly spread, flowing down his throat and leaving a pleasant warmth in his stomach.

Just then, an idea sparked in Feng Shan’s mind.

’Nash’s father is extremely injured this time. It will take a very long time for him to recover.’

’If he stays here, the limited medical facilities will hinder his full recovery.’

’But Nash’s father is the chief of the Bear Tribe. If he leaves their territory, what will his people do?’

’What if... I bring the entire Bear Tribe back to the Crown Territory?’

’The tribe doesn’t seem that large anyway. All told, including the elderly and children, there are only about forty people. Compared to the Crown Territory and its abundant resources, taking them in shouldn’t be much of a problem.’

However, Feng Shan had his reservations.

’Would they be willing to leave their homeland?’

’After all, this land holds the memories and traditions of the Bear Tribe for generations. Every blade of grass, every tree, every corner is intimately connected to their lives. Forcing them to leave their homes and move to a strange place...’

’Would they really agree to it?’

At this thought, Feng Shan turned to Jeff, hoping to get some advice.

...