Frog/Toad-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 23rd
Qetgauwartaasqaq—Frog / Toad Qetgauwartaasqat cungaruartut.—Frogs are green. The Alutiiq words for toad and frog are the same- qetgauwartaasqaq. This word…
Barren Islands-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 16
Qukami Qik’rtat—Barren Islands Qukami Qik’rtat carwartuu’utaartut.—The Barren Islands have strong rip tides. The Barren Islands are a mountainous cluster…
Insect-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 9th
Kinguk—Insect Kingut ilait kumsugnartaartut.—Some insects are ugly. Mosquitoes, black flies, white socks, no-see-ums, and other biting insects are an…
Woman-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 2nd
Arnaq—Woman Arnat peknartutaartut.—Women work hard. Women had important economic, social, and spiritual roles in classical Alutiiq society. In addition to…
Dog-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 26
Aikuq (N), Piugta (S)—Dog April mal’ugnek piugtengq’rtuq.—April has two dogs. Archaeological sites in Alaska illustrate that dogs (Canis familiaris) have…
Can-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 19th
Paan’kaaq—Can Iqallut lliitaaqait paan’kaanun.—They used to put fish in cans. Kodiak relies heavily on labor to process locally caught fish…
Eggs-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 12th
Manit-Eggs Manigsurciqukut.We’re going to look for eggs. Bird eggs are a favorite spring food in Alutiiq communities. Each year many…
Crested Auklet-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 5th
KUNGYUK—CRESTED AUKLET KUNGYUT AMLERTAALLRIIT KANGIYAMI.—THERE USED TO ALWAYS BE A LOT OF CRESTED AUKLETS IN THE BAY. The crested auklet…
Baby-Alutiiq Word of the Week-April 28
Carliaq, Piipeq—Baby Katie carliangkutartuq.—Katie is going to have a baby. Among the Alutiiq people, babies are signs of luck. In…
Barbed-Alutiiq Word of the Week-April 21st
Cukingq’rtuq—Barbed Iqsak cukingq’rtuq.—The fishhook has a barb. Alutiiq hunters carved barbs into a variety of weapons. This included harpoon heads,…