In Inupiaq, January is referred to as Siqinaasrugruk, meaning "new sunshine". After the the solstice in late December, Kobuk Valley National Park receives more and more light each day. Long before the arrival of outsiders and the idea of calendars, Inupiaq people described times of the year based on the natural phenomena happening. The beginning of the year was designated "Siginaasrugruk" to signify to the growing presence of the sun after the darkness. Image: Sunlight casts a warm glow on the snow-covered landscape of @kobukvalleynps. #LanguageDuringLunch #LearnInupiaq #Inupiaq #January #NationalParkService #alaska #wintertime