[1] In 1890, Lopp moved to Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska to teach at a mission school.

Seeing that Eskimo food sources were endangered by the encroachments of the burgeoning American and Canadian fishing industry, Lopp promoted reindeer herding among the native Alaskans as an alternative means of subsistence.

He did so with the help of fellow missionary Harrison R. Thornton, who was killed by a group of young Eskimo men shortly before the publication of the first issue in 1893.

Lopp moved his family to Seattle, Washington, USA in 1902, but continued involvement in Alaskan native education and reindeer herding for 34 more years, holding a variety of government and private industry positions.

[1] During his career Lopp established sixty-six schools, five hospitals and sanitation systems, and increased prosperity in the coastal villages of northern Alaska.