![kids skin a seal, Bethel, Alaska](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vjPYL7J1rCUkpeJS4-3bPpHy46dkR21Y4aV6k7R2beppgQfCWGM6yW3elrYThGLu3HGt1Wc3WGuVaQYnvjXsFrfDyLmWwOc4eem1R8qeg3mskkGOh3c-2XqiOQFwr6hE7HIA=s0-d)
Kids at the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik in Bethel, Alaska learn how to skin a seal using the ulu knife or "uluaq" (OO-loke) in Yup'ik. The Kindergarten through Sixth Grade school serves as a model for Native language immersion schools everywhere. Besides language, the kids get instruction in their Yup'ik culture as well.
![skinned seal, Bethel, Alaska](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uYxCHouWZ5bp_42RlTHqmWxb_HfQsUIkc6HC55J99csqPBPZXzZqcc3VXtrFLVXxvmiKMbndhJy2JhwUe-h9po1YoQ5vmUM_KeEnsUyZ_AqSaceCFdw6xrldiF3aiveQvW=s0-d)
The seal, when the kids finish, looks very different than
THIS.