Utqiaġvik Presbyterian Church

How Whale, a Traditional Native Staple, Found Its Perfect Complement in Kimchi | Eater

"The oldest church in town, housed in a white-and-green building marked by a bowhead whale scapula, that historically served as a central distributor of whale shares and a venue for communal meals and prayer services for whalers. While Sunday attendance has declined and the town reckons with the church’s assimilationist past, it still operates as a community center involved in harvest celebrations and distribution logistics. Some local leaders associated with the congregation voice concern about modern adaptations—such as pairing maktak with kimchi—arguing that whale should be eaten with moderation and respect that reflect the work of harvesting it." - Jennifer Fergesen