Alutiiq Word of the Week & Museum News

Elderberry-Alutiiq Word of the Week

Elderberry — Tuuciik Tuuciiqutat alagnangq’rtaartut. – The elderberry bushes always have berries. Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is a large…

Mark — Ceterluki Kapsuutait cetertaallkait. – They used to mark their spears. The Alutiiq verb ceterluni can mean either to mark…

Water — Taangaq Tamiinek taangaq aturtaarpet. – We use water in everything. Freshwater is a plentiful resource in the…

Share Them — Ilakuilluki Cuqlliipet niutaakaitkut, “ilakuilluki caqinek pingq’rkut.” – Our Elders used to tell us, “always share what…

Blocked — Sapurluni Sapuraanga. – I am weathered in. (literally, “It blocked me.”) The Alutiiq verb sapuluku means, “to block it”:…

Dart Game — Augca’aq Augca’arciqut. – They are going to play the dart game. Gaming has long been a…

Rib — Raatateq Isuwim raatatii mangirnartuk. – Seal ribs are good to gnaw on. Animal ribs were once an…

KODIAK, AK—The Alutiiq Museum is honored to present a new exhibit in its Living Culture Gallery. This exhibit shares…

Alder — Uqgwik Uqgwit kua’akameng cillkataartut. – When alders burn they make a crackling sound. Sitka alder (Alnus crispa)…

Puffins — Tunngat Tunngat manigtut p’hnami. – The puffins are laying eggs on the cliff. Puffins, also known as…