{"id":2082,"date":"2014-10-15T08:16:02","date_gmt":"2014-10-15T16:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ayatlin.wordpress.com\/?p=2082"},"modified":"2015-10-07T23:13:00","modified_gmt":"2015-10-08T07:13:00","slug":"ricko-dewilde-making-it-in-two-worlds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/athabascanwoman.com\/?p=2082","title":{"rendered":"Ricko DeWilde \u2013 Making It In Two Worlds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ricko<\/a>
Ricko DeWilde goes out moose hunting in interior Alaska each year. Courtesy photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once a coworker teased me about how many cousins I have. I don\u2019t know if it is just a Native thing or not, but we have big extended families. If you are from a small village, you are likely related in some way or another to everyone. My late aunt and uncle, Amelia and Lloyd DeWilde of Huslia, had 14 children. You can see right there that I have a lot of cousin, and that is just from one of my aunties. <\/span><\/p>\n

Late Amelia and Lloyd raised their children in a homestead about 100 miles north of Huslia. My cousins grew up in a camp lifestyle and were homeschooled. They did travel to Huslia a few times a year to visit and get supplies. My cousin, Ricko DeWilde, lived with us for a while in Bettles, Alaska to go to high school. <\/span><\/p>\n

My cousins often talked about what it was like to grow up in camp. I always wanted to visit when my aunt was alive, but never got a chance to. I asked Ricko to share a little bit about what it was like growing up in the wilderness. Life in the wilderness was tough. They struggled to get the basic necessities, like water, food and wood. They worked hard and had to prepare carefully for each season. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ricko<\/a>
Ricko DeWilde and his children enjoy spending time outside. Courtesy photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They lived a subsistence lifestyle by hunting, fishing and gathering. They had to adapt to their environment. Ricko says, \u201cWe know what animals are in season as far as being fat; we know where to go to get this animal; and we know what type of equipment and gun or trap to use to achieve this goal.\u201d The survival skills he learned growing up in camp has helped him succeed in the modern world.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the hardest lessons to balance for him was taking too many chances with his life. When he was younger, he took many risks, like crossing thin ice or canoeing where he shouldn\u2019t be. Late Aunt Amelia told him stories about people who took too many chances and finally got hurt, crippled or killed. Ricko says, \u201cShe said that when we’re young it’s like the creator lets us have a lot of chances, but eventually our risks will bite us.\u201d According to Ricko, she went on to say that it’s especially foolish to continue taking chances as we get older because that’s when our luck begins to fade. Ricko remembers that talk from his mom and decided to quit taking as many chances. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ricko lives in Fairbanks, and manages his apparel company, called Hydz<\/a>. Hydz hoodies, t-shirts, sweatpants and other apparel are very popular among Alaska Natives, especially youth. Ricko travels across the state to sell his apparel, and he occasionally sell them at powwows in the Lower 48. Like hunting for animals during the right time, Ricko chooses the best times and locations to sell his apparel. One of those times will be at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage in October. Ricko says, \u201cVery simple strategies is what works in the woods and in the city for achieving a low risk\/high yield harvest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2007, my family had a memorial potlatch for our late parents, sister, and grandmother. I had 25 memorial sweaters made with the help of my friend Clinton Williams artwork. I wanted something very strong to symbolize the strength and Native values that I was taught by these important people who had come to pass in my family. After the potlatch was over I had a lot of people asking me to get them some hoodies made with the designs we created. This is what spurred me to start the design company called Hydz. The inspiration to name the line Hydz came from the importance that animal hides has had in my life. Hides are a signature material for the traditional clothing of Native Americans and has played one of the most important roles in the survival of all mankind.\u201d \u2013 Ricko DeWilde, Hydz Owner<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"The<\/a>
The latest design for Hydz will be debuted at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage in October. Courtesy photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ricko plans to continue selling the Hydz line until it becomes a common brand in stores across the United States and around the world. He hopes to design other unique non-apparel products connected to the needs of living in the woods. Owning a business can be challenging at times with time management and taking care of his assets. Ricko says, \u201cIt can be frustrating at times in this journey and you can easily feel that little things are not important, but if you stick to completing the small things then over time it slowly builds into something bigger than the things that happen overnight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention coming up, Ricko will debut a new design at the Hydz booth. According to Ricko, tie dye has become very popular, and he hopes the younger folks are going to be excited to see this new design. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ricko\u2019s friend, Samuel Johns<\/a> (aka Rebel), released a song called, Hydz<\/a>. Watch the new video<\/a> for Hydz, released by Rebel, featuring Antoine Edwards. Ricko says, \u201cI’m very proud and appreciative of Sam in all he’s done and his ability to connect and share the networking floor with other natives.\u201d Ricko had a great time working with Samuel and was grateful to connect with new friend Butchie Eastman, Antoine Edwards, and Geronimo Ramirez. Samuel is a strong supporter and often wears Hydz gear when he is performing.<\/span><\/p>\n