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"What do I think of all this?" Moses asked in a quieter moment. "That's really something. I like to see that, you know. That's all good, all that you have for my great-grandchildren you know. Makes them smile."
As if in a daze, the children of the village go from Santa's lap to a table of books and backpacks provided by the Salvation Army. They are allowed to pick out a book, and a smiling volunteer handed them another bag of goodies.
Whether it's the big meal, the sweets, the visit with Santa Claus or the presents, the children are big-eyed as the afternoon wears on.
"They were really excited," said Julia Wholecheese, a mother of two from Allakaket. "They couldn't wait to come over to the school because they thought Santa would be here. And then when we came in, he (her son) was just asking when is Santa coming."
Wholecheese didn't tell the children until the day before. She knew they wouldn't sleep.
With food ladled and presents ripped open, the families began to bundle up in anticipation of the great chill that awaited them outside the doors of the school.
Sidaadza Williams, a schoolgirl from Allakaket, ripped into the packaging on a 1-gigabyte MP3 music player.
"It means 'little sister' in Athabaskan," Williams said about her first name. "I'm the youngest in a family of 11."
Her friends piled around her wanting to see this great new present.
Williams could barely contain her joy as she finally loosened the last piece of plastic, saying thanks once more for Santa's visit.
"I think it's awesome that he came to our little village." she said.
