Louie & Me

Louie and I had one of the most unique upbringings.

It was fun, hard, scary and challenging. We were exposed to many situations at such a young age being raised on our family's commercial fishing vessel(s), and when we weren't on the boat, our home base was in Metlakatla, Alaska on the Native Reserves of Annette Islands.

Aside from having to go to school, we went wherever our parents went. Our parents always took us fishing, hunting, gathering and traveling. We were taught how to navigate all sizes of our fishing vessels, read charts, work heavy machinery, how to read tides, maintain engines and generators, work different types of fishing gear, how to work with others, and how to adapt to an fast paced, ever changing scenario.

Louie was my older brother, six years older than me, and it was just the two of us-stuck on board a small, floating island of a boat. With that being said, we weren't that close because of the age gap, but we knew we could rely and trust on another when it was really needed. We also have had many adventures to where we truly had a deep bond and an unspoken respect and love for one another.

I decided to call this blog-Little Adults, that's what my mother calls us. I mentioned how our upbringing was and how tough it was for us and how fortunate that Louie and I grew up fast, worked hard, were dependable, and how my parents were able to count on us for help onboard our boats. That's when she said-"You guys were little adults."

I hope whoever is reading this will appreciate the blog and will be able to imagine life growing up fast onboard fishing vessels in Southeast Alaska. Enjoy!