Percy Jackson: Interview Outline: Section 7 Things he learned from elders, like making packs out of animal skins Tape Reference Number: H2002-09-14 Percy Jackson talks with Bill Schneider and Eileen Devinney in Kiana, Alaska on January 28, 2003.

Bill Schneider: What other things did that old man teach you?

Percy Jackson: How to make packs in summertime. When I make those packs by myself, just like they are heavy. But when he showed me how, everything get light. Got to know how to make those pack.

Bill Schneider: Can you tell us about those packs, what they look like?

Percy Jackson: Oh, we tie them, make -- make them round and tie them, pile them up in the back. Put the heaviest one on top, not in bottom. That's the way they are easy to pack when you put those heaviest one on top. I started going out with them when I was a young -- while I was young, in summertime.

Bill Schneider: What were the packs made of?

Percy Jackson: Of skins.

Bill Schneider: Skins.

Percy Jackson: Caribou skins.

Bill Schneider: And how did they tie them together?

Percy Jackson: After you make rolled up skins first, and kind of tied them a little bit and make them round, put another one on top and another one on top. And when they are real heavy, you got to put one to your forehead and tie it down to your pack. It's easier when you pack them like that. I bet lots of guys never see those yet, when they put that thing out on forehead and tie it to their back. You got to adjust it right, though. Can't make it too tight. That thing always help you when you start getting up.

Bill Schneider: What did you use for straps?

Percy Jackson: Oh, some kind of -- I forget now what they call. White rope or--.

Bill Schneider: Oh. So, would it be made of rope of some sort?

Percy Jackson: Uh-hum. Make them wide, so they will be easier to pack them.

Bill Schneider: Are there more things that that old man -- that you can remember that that old man taught you?

Percy Jackson: Yeah. When I -- I'm out alone, I used to go inside the willows where it's thick and sleep there. And when some kind of noise start coming around, I always wake up. He told me not to sleep in open place. I used that in lots of times when I'm out alone, go inside the willows and sleep.

Bill Schneider: Hmm. And can you explain why in the -- why you wanted to be in the willows?

Percy Jackson: Yeah. If something going after you, you could wake up, hear it.

Bill Schneider: Yeah.

Percy Jackson: On one time I almost had it, I think. While I was in there sleeping, I start hearing noise. There was something going after me. I hear -- could hear them when they break that wood.

Bill Schneider: Uh-hum.

Percy Jackson: And when they start getting close, I just loaded up my rifle. I think they heard me and run away.

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