Walruses are a vital food source for Native people in coastal communities. These animals enjoy eating clams and other invertebrates like worms, crustaceans, sea cucumbers, and other soft-bodied creatures. They use their whiskers to detect clams while dragging their tusks along the seabed. As they graze, they wave their flippers to uncover food or blow powerful jets of water to clear mud and sand. Unlike parrots, walruses siphon tasty clams directly from their shells.

The Yup’ik natives held festivals where multiple villages gathered to celebrate and thank Yeshua Ellarpiim Yua (Person of the Universe) for the bountiful harvest and gathering. After the celebration, the animals returned to Ellarpiim Yua and reported that they were treated well by the humans. They asked for permission to return through hunting, fishing, and gathering to celebrate at another festival.

Pleased with the love and respect humans showed for one another, Ellarpiim Yua granted the fish and wildlife permission to celebrate life with humans again at the next harvest.