Why Is Ada Blackjack Famous?

Ada Blackjack is a name that might not be familiar to everyone, but she is a woman who deserves recognition for her incredible story of survival in the Arctic. Her tale is one of bravery, resilience, and determination that has captured the hearts of many.

Born in 1898 in Solomon, Alaska, Ada was an Inupiat woman who grew up in poverty. She was only 16 years old when she married Jack Blackjack and had three children with him. However, their marriage was short-lived as Jack abandoned Ada and their children soon after their youngest was born.

In 1921, Ada was hired as a cook and seamstress for an expedition to Wrangel Island in the Arctic. The team consisted of four men: Vilhjalmur Stefansson (the leader), Fred Maurer, Lorne Knight, and Milton Galle. Their mission was to claim the island for Canada and conduct scientific research.

Despite having no experience in the wild or on expeditions like this one, Ada agreed to join the team because she needed money to support her children. She was promised that it would be a short trip – only two years at most – and that she would receive a substantial payment upon her return.

The expedition started off well enough. They built a small camp on the island and began conducting their research.

However, things took a turn for the worse when their supply ship failed to arrive as planned. The team quickly ran out of food and supplies.

To make matters worse, Knight fell through thin ice while hunting for food and died from hypothermia shortly after. Stefansson decided that he needed to send two members of the team – Maurer and Galle – on a desperate journey across the ice to reach civilization and bring back help.

Ada was left alone on Wrangel Island with limited supplies and no way to communicate with anyone outside of her small camp. She knew that her survival depended entirely on herself.

Over the next two years, Ada faced incredible challenges. She had to learn how to hunt and fish in the harsh Arctic environment, build shelter, and maintain a fire in temperatures that could drop well below -50 degrees Celsius. She also battled loneliness and despair as she missed her children and had no idea if she would ever see them again.

Despite these difficulties, Ada persevered. She used her sewing skills to make clothing and repair equipment, and she even taught herself how to read by studying a Bible that was among the team’s supplies. She also befriended a small dog that had been left behind by Knight and named him Vic.

Finally, after two long years on the island, Ada was rescued by a relief expedition sent by the Canadian government. Maurer and Galle had successfully reached civilization and brought back help.

Ada returned home to Alaska a hero. Her story of survival captured the attention of the world, and she became famous for her bravery in the face of adversity. However, despite her newfound fame, Ada struggled with poverty for the rest of her life.

In conclusion, Ada Blackjack is famous for her incredible story of survival on Wrangel Island in the Arctic. Her bravery, resilience, and determination have inspired people all over the world.

Despite facing incredible challenges, Ada refused to give up and managed to survive alone in one of the harshest environments on earth for two years. Her story is a testament to human perseverance and serves as an inspiration to us all.