The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
After her mother left her in Alaska, Sue Aikens found refuge in an old miner's cabin, where she survived by foraging for berries and scavenging meat from animal carcasses. She also formed a bond with a raven named George, who brought her food and led her to the cabin that saved her life.
“She named the bird George, and he became something of a caretaker. He would bring me all kinds of things to eat. Really rapidly discovered that birds can eat things that people shouldn't. And he led me to the cabin, and that cabin saved my life.”
“It was initially a home for miners in the 1800s. But it became her refuge during her first autumn in Alaska. There, she foraged for berries and scavenged meat off of animal carcasses.”