Is the Story of Ada Blackjack True?

Ada Blackjack was a woman who became famous for surviving alone on an Arctic island for two years. The story of her survival has been told in books, articles, and even a feature film. But is the story true

There are many conflicting accounts of Ada Blackjack’s life and survival. Some people believe that she was a hero who overcame incredible odds to survive in the harsh Arctic climate. Others believe that she was a fraud who exaggerated her story to gain fame and fortune.

So, what is the truth Let’s take a closer look at Ada Blackjack’s life and survival.

Who Was Ada Blackjack

Ada Blackjack was born in 1898 in Solomon, Alaska. She was an Inupiaq woman who grew up in poverty and struggled to make ends meet. In 1921, she was approached by an explorer named Vilhjalmur Stefansson to join an expedition to Wrangel Island, a remote island in the Arctic Ocean.

The expedition was led by a man named Allan Crawford, who had been hired by Stefansson to claim Wrangel Island for Canada. Crawford recruited four men to join him on the expedition: Fred Maurer, Lorne Knight, Milton Galle, and Victor Maurer. He also recruited Ada Blackjack as a cook and seamstress.

The Expedition

The expedition set out from Nome, Alaska in September 1921. They arrived at Wrangel Island in October and began building a campsite. However, things quickly went wrong.

The men were unable to find enough food on the island and began suffering from scurvy. They also had disagreements among themselves and were unable to work together effectively.

In December 1921, Allan Crawford decided to leave the island and try to find help. He left Fred Maurer in charge of the camp and instructed him to wait for his return.

The Survival

However, Crawford never returned. The men were left stranded on the island with no food or supplies.

Ada Blackjack was the only member of the expedition who had any experience living in the Arctic. She took charge of the group and began hunting for food and making clothing from animal hides.

Over time, three members of the expedition died from scurvy and exposure. Ada Blackjack was left alone on the island with Lorne Knight, who was severely ill.

The Rescue

In August 1923, a rescue party arrived on Wrangel Island. They found Ada Blackjack and Lorne Knight alive but barely surviving.

Ada Blackjack’s survival story made headlines around the world. She was hailed as a hero who had overcome incredible odds to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth.

The Controversy

However, not everyone believed Ada Blackjack’s story. Some people accused her of exaggerating her survival skills and taking credit for things she didn’t do.

In particular, there were questions about whether Ada Blackjack had actually been alone on the island with Lorne Knight or if there had been other survivors who she had neglected to mention in her story.

The Truth

So, is the story of Ada Blackjack true The answer is not clear-cut.

There is no doubt that Ada Blackjack survived alone on Wrangel Island for two years under incredibly difficult circumstances. She was a skilled hunter and seamstress who kept herself and Lorne Knight alive against all odds.

However, there are also questions about some of the details of her story. It is possible that Ada Blackjack exaggerated certain aspects of her survival or left out important information.

Ultimately, the truth may never be fully known. But one thing is certain: Ada Blackjack was a remarkable woman who overcame incredible odds to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth.