“Alaska: The Last Frontier” is an American reality show that airs on Discovery Channel. It premiered on December 29th, 2011 and has been running for eight seasons and its 9th season premiered on October 6th, 2019. The show revolves around the Kilcher family, offsprings of Swiss immigrants who were the first Alaskan settlers who arrived in the state over 80 years ago. It documents the life of the family led by Atz Kilcher and Otto Kilcher as they lead a simple life at their farm in the outskirts of Homer. It also gives viewers the chance to see how in this era of technology, the family has defied modernization and solely survives on hunting and farming in the Alaskan wilderness. The Kilchers daily activities include game hunting, agriculture, and gathering food in preparation for the winter season. With the premiere of the 9th season, here are few new things you might notice.
Women are taking the lead
With the first episode of the 9th season released, fans are excited to see their favorite survival show airing again. Its trailer depicts Jane Kilcher, Atz Lee Kilcher’s wife, going out to the wilderness to hunt in her husband’s absence. Jane is a hardworking woman who has a vast knowledge of the sea and fish. She is an essential asset to the family and plays a crucial role in feeding the Kilchers through her exemplary fishing skills. The preview goes on to show Jane saying she is ready to lead the family in the 9th season. In a recent Instagram picture, Jane shared a photo of herself heading towards the Arctic Circle in what she captioned as a ‘hunting trip.’ In previous seasons, Atz Kilcher and other male members of the family led the hunting trips. This season will be the first time a woman in the family is taking charge. It marks a milestone in the growth of Jane’s role as she is set to start providing for the Kilcher family by spearheading their game hunting activities.
Adapting to changes
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the planet’s climate patterns are changing with the increasing rates of global warming emissions. The Union further urges that people can already feel its effects. The 9th season of “Alaska: The Last Frontier” is not going to be a smooth ride as the family has to adapt to the challenges caused by the unpredictable weather conditions. The future of the Kilcher family’s way of life strongly relies on suitable weather and their survival is dependent on the compassion of Mother Nature. For instance, the family admits that annual seasons such as spring and winter are changing because they are not as long as they used to be in the last century.
Otto Kilcher, Atz Kilcher’s brother, openly said the 9th season would picture the family struggling to maintain the values of their tribe. The challenge is mainly because extreme weather conditions are interrupting their way of living. The short spring season has caused melting of ice, and the cows’ grazing lands have turned into muddy swamps. They will have to work faster to clear more land and expand their cattle’s grazing fields, something that will not be easy. The family will have to develop a new strategy to adapt to the increasing temperatures that are melting the ice. These conditions are also threatening their fishing activities.
Jewel is back
Any 1990’s music fan is familiar with the name Jewel Kilcher, singer of top-charting songs such as “Till It Feels like Cheating” and “I Do.” The three-time Grammy nominee is a singer, songwriter, actress, poet, author and the daughter of Atz Kilcher. After leaving the family to pursue her musical career in which she has sold millions of albums, the member of the Kilcher family is back in season 9 to be a part of the cast. In a Facebook post about two months ago, Jewel revealed they have completed filming the 9th season of the series and termed it as the best season ever. She also stated that season 9 would show her fishing on new locations along with her brother Atz Lee Kilcher and her son, Kase Townes Murray. Even though Jewel has appeared severally on the show before, this would be the first time she will be taking a more stable role in the family. Jewel is taking part in the family’s daily activities and partly helping her father with running the homestead.
Youth Empowerment
As the show progresses, the sons of Yule and Ruth Kilcher are getting old, and the responsibilities in the farm are increasing. Atz Kilcher, who is the head of the family, is currently 72 years old and his energy is fading with time. His brother Otto Kilcher who is known for his handiwork, is also aging and recently turned 67. Otto confessed on camera that the next generation of the family should take care of the farm and they should be as responsible as they can be. The two heads of the Kilcher family aging is inevitable and thus the need to prepare the new generation to take the lead in family roles. One such energetic young man who is following his father’s footsteps is Lee Kilcher, the family’s third born.
The 42-year-old son of Atz Kilcher and husband to Jane Kilcher is proving to be useful in the family as he engages in numerous hunting activities. He left the homestead once in pursuit of his musical career but returned after realizing that the farming was his true passion. He is an energetic participator of the family affairs and works daily to feed the cattle and ensure the barns are well maintained. In season 9, Lee will be hunting with his wife Jane to groom her to be the family’s head of hunting. Elvin Kilcher is another son of Atz who will be stepping up. Similar to his uncle Otto, Elvin is handy and skilled when it comes to building. He loves farming, hunting and gathering. The 9th season will groom him to become a vital asset to the family, and he will be helping his uncle in running numerous activities on the farm.
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