Brad's new home - Kivalina!
Brad first came to Kivalina in 2002 when he accepted the maintenance position there. That is where he met this Inupiaq woman in 2004. Her name was Janet Mitchell. A platonic friendship developed through the year of 2004. To make a long story short, in 2005, on New Years day, the platonic friendship shifted into something special. Janet was tired of waiting for Brad to make the first move so she asked him for a date on New Years Eve over the internet chat. Of course, it was 3am. He asked, "What does one do on a date here in Kivalina? There's no place to go."
"Well," I said, "you invite her to your home to watch a movie."
"Oh!" he said.
So we made a 7pm date that New Years Day at his place. Then began a new life between Brad and Janet. He loved reminding me of that day, how I took advantage of him.
On the Hawaiian dinner cruise on the Navatek in 2008.
Brad and Aaron, known as Ton Ton. Aaron called Brad Woo-woo! When Brad first moved to Kivalina, there was a show on the television and a train came up. Brad did the fist thing in the air and said 'woo-woo'. Every since then, he was known as Woo-woo to Aaron. Aaron was told Brad went to Heaven, he's no longer at work. My Ton Ton knew Brad worked all the time so when he found him gone from home, he'd ask if Woo-woo was at work! He loved playing with my Ton Ton.
Two cool dudes! "We bad! Yeah, we bad!" Woo-woo and Ton Ton going out for a day in the spring-time sun! Mom Leela in the background.
The boys helping us get water. My son Aaron, his friend Tickoop and Aaron's cousin/Bro Byron with Brad.
Brad with my sisters Marilyn and Mida, picking berries. We never left home without him because he was our protector. Well, I never went anywhere without him no matter what or where we went.
Brad and Patrick Durrer, who is a student from Switzerland but attending the University of Fairbanks, picking berries on Mom's land. Patrick was at Kivalina as part of his studies.
Brad and my sister Hilda during the erosion work near the airport.
Brad and local Ross Stalker Jr. fixing the Coffee House for the Easter festivities.
Brad and Larry, my brother Dennis' son. Brad was Uncle to Larry. Larry was by the shore when we drove up with the boat.
Brad and Tommy Swan, my sister Frannies son, working on snowmachine.
Brad and Tommy Swan unloading the boat with fresh drinking water. Brad had a deep respect for Tommy Swan, my youngest sisters son. Tommy helped Brad out as much as he could so Brad really appreciated that. Tommy would stop what he was doing when Brad needed his help. That is why Brad really respected Tommy. Tommy was the only one whom Brad would lend money to without hesitation. The rest had to sweat for it.
Brad preparing 55 gallon barrels for erosion protection, talking with Jack Koenig, local resident.
Brad and Don Lobel from Canada, one of the film crew people.
Brad standing by Jenni Monet, documentor from New York/California.
Brad and me in my home.
Brad and his family in Anchorage!
Brad and his beautiful daughter Erika!
Brad has a beautiful, young daughter named Erika who lives in Anchorage. He raised her on his own, teaching her to be responsible and self-supporting. Like father, like daughter!
Brad and baby Erika!
Brad and his brand new grandson Scott Tomas! Erika and her boyfriend Ian are the proud parents. He weighed 10 lbs and 11 ounces at birth and continues to add weight on a daily basis. He is a very big boy!
Christmas of 2009 - Brad and his family from left to right: Brad, his dad Wes, brother Kevin, Mom Peg and sister Brenda. He lost a younger brother named Michael years ago.
BRAD MAKES A HOME IN KIVALINA!
Brad totally enjoyed living in Kivalina. The fishing was good year round, which was a good thing for him. Summer and fall time, we fished for trout on either channel of the island. Whichever had more fish that were biting, we were there. This photo was taken on the North side of the island. Spring time, we went up the Wulik and ice fished for trout. Winter time, same thing, ice fished for trout. Autumn time, when the ice is just forming in the lagoon, we fished for tom cods and blue cods. He really had fun during those times. Even in a ground storm, he wanted to fish so I had to dress real warm because he wanted me along with him.
Joe and Lona Swan, parents of Janet Mitchell.
Brad joined the Swan Family when he moved to Kivalina. It was as simple as that. Joe grew to respect Brad because he was very hard working and respectful. He did what he could for the elders of Kivalina, as well as other residents. Many grew to respect Brad for his willingness to help without expecting compensation for his efforts.
Because of Joe's disability, he wasn't able to do a search effort of his own when Brad was overdue on March 1. His elderly friend was visiting from Kotzebue and wasn't able to do a search either so he tried calling the Kotzebue search party, with no luck. The 1st responders of Kivalina were away on a medical trip. Both Joe and his friend were very distraught as they had been searchers all their lives. The next day, Joe left to search for Brad anyway but made it only to Port Site. When he called from there, he was told Brad had been spotted and to return to Kivalina. By then, word was Brad had succombed to the harsh elements.
Many mourned the loss of Brad when they heard what had happened to him. He had impacted many in the Region by his kindness and willingness to help when he can.
Brad testing the turbidity in the Wulik River water.
BRAD'S HISTORY WITH THE CITY!
Brad came back to Kivalina in 2007 and worked for the City as maintenance on-call, although it was almost a full time job. He worked there till the NWABSD finally offered him a job later on which required that he live in Kotzebue. He worked there until the maintenance department finally offered him a job in Kivalina. He was on his way to Kivalina to move there permanently when he was overcome by the harsh cold on March 1. He had been traveling by snowmachine.
Brad's dad Wes helped a lot for the City in terms of finding parts for our out-of-date washeteria. When Brad couldn't find a part for the washers or any thing else, he would send a photo to Wes and Wes would find a part for the City. I see where Brad's willingness to help comes from. Wes did it without expecting anything in return. The City is very thankful for Wes coming to Brad's aide when he needed parts.
SUMMER OF 2005
Brad listening to a meeting that was going on.
Brad and my brother Austin!
Brad and my brother Reppi!
Brad was so proud when Reppi gave him the responsibility of the Swan whaling crew this past spring. He came home one day with an incredulous look on his face and I asked what was the matter. He said Reppi gave him the huge responsibility of the crew because he was leaving for Anchorage with his wife to have their twins. He asked me what should he do. I said, "Follow the lead of the other whaling crews, watch what they do. You're in the learning stages, follow their example, they know the ice. That's what a captain does, he's responsible for the safety of the crew."
Brad watching the teachers butcher a caribou for the elders.
Brad sitting in my bedroom at my house, using my computer in my little corner of the world.
Brad helping summer workers with heavy equipment trying to get something to the roof. My brother Reppi to the right!
Brad with Muskox behind him on the banks. This is the first time he'd ever driven a boat in the Wulik River. Only thing he didn't know was the river, which he learned real quick by trial and error.
The muskox in the background. Not only was the fishing great, he really enjoyed seeing all the wildlife without having to pay a guide to see it all.
THANK YOU
Many, many thanks goes to Joseph Swan Sr., Wilfred Lane of Kotzebue, Betty Swan and Girlie Sage of Kivalina for trying to assist in any way during the night of Brad's travel. Joe and Wilfred for trying to call the Search and Rescue in Kivalina. We know how bad you wanted to go yourselves but we know you both couldn't do it. Thanks to Joe for taking off anyway the following morning to go and search for Brad. We know how important a life is to you, no matter who is it that is overdue. We know you loved Brad like a son.
Thank you, Betty, for being ready to send a search party out. Thank you, Girlie, for staying up late into the night to be a spotter for Brad while you were at work at the Port Site. We really, really do appreciate your efforts. Thank you for caring!
Thank you Trooper MacDonald for sending a search plane for Brad. Thank you Austin Swan Sr., my brother, for agreeing to be a spotter for the troopers in their search effort. I found out later that the trooper needed someone to identify Brad where they had found him. Thank you David Barr and Trooper Long of Kotzebue for taking the time to assist the troopers on the trail, for picking Brad up and transporting him to Kotzebue. And for bringing his belongings to Kotzebue. We know how much you care for the safety of others.
Thank you, Enoch Adams Jr., for being there. Your presence was needed and appreciated, more then you know. Brad really had respect for you and Austin. He would mention how your electrical wiring still needed his attention. He just didn't have the time. I'll apologize for him.
Thanks for all your prayers! Aunty Lucy Adams and Dolly Booth. They have helped a great deal. Thanks for the lunch and dinner, Aunty Lucy and Mom Lona. I couldn't bring myself to cook for myself. Thank you my son Aaron for being understanding of that and fending for yourself. Most of all, thank you, my daughter Leela J. You checking up on me makes a real big difference.
Many blessings to the ones who have donated miles and cash to assist with airfares to Anchorage and from Kivalina to Kotzebue:
Kivalina City, Maniilaq Association and various employees who dug out of their mileage plans, Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Northwest Arctic Borough, Charlotte Koenig of Kivalina/Kotzebue, Marilyn Swan of Kivalina, Racheal Lee of Alabama/Kotzebue, Robert Sheldon of Noatak, Bertha Adams of Kivalina, Jenni Monet of New York, Victoria Clark of Anchorage Trustees of Alaska, Sierra Davis of Chicago, Martha Whiting of Kotzebue, Blue from Noorvik School, Zoe Theoharis of Kivalina School, Bert & Myra Adams of Kivalina, Lena Sage of Kivalina, Glenn Gray of Juneau, and Patrick Durrer of Switzerland. Thank you, Aunty Lucy, for offering to take care of one airfare from Kotzebue to Anchorage.
Thanks to the Canadian Film Crew Ben, Steve, Sean, David, Don, Brad, and Oliver for making Brad a part of the documentary and for agreeing to put the pieces of Brad together for me. The recording looks fabulous.
Thanks to my sisters Colleen, Mida and Marilyn, Bertha and Mom who did a bake sale to raise some money for airfare from Kivalina to Kotzebue, for the tireless organizing of events and donation requests. Thanks to those that purchased items. Thanks to Bergman Nelson and Charlotte Koenig for opening your home to me while I was at Kotzebue trying to retrieve Brad's belongings from the Police Impound.
NANA and Bering Air couldn't assist because Brad and I weren't married but I'm sure they would have had the circumstance been different. That's okay but something needs to change should there be another shareholder in the future that gets in the same situation! The expense would be so great for the less fortunate.
Brad touched many lives in the NANA region. His generosity to these people were paid back three-fold and that is blessing enough. God smiles upon those with a generous heart. Brad is living example. Those that have donated, God will richly bless you for the Lord loves a cheerful giver.
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." -2nd Corinthians 9:7
Brad had a lot of love and respect for the elders in Kivalina, most especially Tommy Adams Sr. Whenever he came home with a lot of fish, or caribou, he would share his catch with Tommy.
"Who, me?" He was so humble. Brad in 'the Shed', where he bunked while working as maintenance in Kivalina. His eyes were so blue! They would turn gray or have flecks of gold when he wore a black shirt.
REST IN PEACE, BRADLEY MICHAEL BERGSRUD!
AUGUST 1, 1960 - MARCH 2, 2010
View the announcement at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries.asp?page=obitfinderresults&firstname=Bradley&lastname=Bergsrud&state=&daterange=Last14Days&newspaper=&keyword=