KITAIT’SAAQ – CHINESE PERSON CUUMI KITAIT’SAAT TAITAALLRIIT KAANARIMEN PEKCATURLUTENG. – CHINESE PEOPLE USED TO COME TO WORK IN THE CANNERIES. Late 19th century political unrest in China led large numbers of people to leave the country. Booming industries—the gold rush, railroads, and canneries—attracted Chinese immigrants to the United States. On Kodiak, Chinese laborers were a critical […]
KANGIYANGCUK, KICARWIK – HARBOR PARAGUUTAQA KICAK’GKA KANGIYANGCUGMI. — I ANCHORED MY BOAT IN THE HARBOR. Alutiiq people have long located their settlements in places that provide safe access to the ocean. In Kodiak’s stormy climate, the ability to launch and land boats is essential for people who hunt, fish, and work on the water. With […]
The Alutiiq Museum has released Pinguat, a 17-minute documentary film produced in collaboration with Josh Branstetter of Branstetter Films. Pinguat follows the journey of 13 Alutiiq beaders who convened in Kodiak last November. Under the mentorship of June Pardue, the group recreated a rare set of women’s ceremonial clothing—a beaded headdress, cuffs, and sash—collected […]
The Alaska Anthropological Association has awarded Dr. April Laktonen Counceller, the Executive Director of the Alutiiq Museum, its Outstanding Current Contribution Award. The award was announced Saturday at the association’s 46th annual meeting, held this year in Nome. The Alaska Anthropological Association is a statewide organization for people working, studying, and interested in all areas […]
Cama’i! The days are getting longer and spring feels like it’s just around the corner. The museum store has lots of new book titles to get you ready for the plants to bloom. From wildflower plant guides to wild food cookbooks, we have everything you need to get ready for the growing season. Did you […]
A red cedar quiver will be added to the Alutiiq Museum’s gallery displays this week. The nineteenth-century piece is a family heirloom, donated to the Alutiiq Museum by the King family in 2016. The 35-inch long, cylindrical tool was expertly carved from a plank and bent to shape with steam. It is the largest bentwood […]
Released Tuesday, the Alutiiq Museum’s latest publication is a study of graphic art. Igaruacirpet—Our Way of Making Designs, introduces Alutiiq cultural arts and explores the imagery found in rock art, designs incised in stone, painting, and body art. The book establishes a cultural context for Alutiiq designs, helping readers appreciate the functions and symbolism of […]
Kenegtaq – Low Bush Cranberry Ing’im ceniini kenegtangq’rtuq. – The mountainside has cranberries. The lowbush cranberry, or lingonberry (Vaccinium vitisidaea), is a creeping plant with thick, oval, shiny, green leaves; pink, bell-shaped flowers; and round, red berries. The word kenegtaq literally means “something pressed down.” This plant flowers in mid to late June and is […]
Lisngasqaq – Learned One Gui lisngasqaq Alutiit’stun. – I am learned in the Alutiiq language. The Alutiiq word lisngasqaq is a respectful term, used in reference to someone who is considered wise. You might use this word to talk about a teacher, a mentor, or an Elder with the ability to share valuable knowledge. For […]