Elderberry-Alutiiq Word of the Week-July 17th
Tuuciik – ElderberryTuuciiqutat alagnangq’rtaatut. – The elderberry bushes always have berries. Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is a large shrub with…
Baby Seal-Alutiiq Word of the Week-July 10th
Isuwim Carlia’a; Qaigya’aq – Baby SealIsuwim carlia’a ineqsunartuq. – The seal’s baby is cute. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are year-round…
Independence Day-Alutiiq Word of the Week-July 3rd
Kasnaam Ernera – Independence DayErnerpak Kasnaam ernera. – Today is Independence Day. People often think of summer as a time…
Buy-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 26th
IGU’URLUKU – BUYKAARAMEK IGU’ULLIANGA. – I BOUGHT A CAR. Before the development of a western cash economy, Kodiak’s Alutiiq people…
Day-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 12
Erneq – DayErneret taklliyut. – The days are getting long. Spring in the Kodiak Archipelago brings lengthening days and warmer…
Amber-Alutiiq Word of the Week-June 5th
Amaq – AmberAmat ineqsunartut. – Amber is pretty. Amber is the fossilized resin of ancient trees, particularly pine trees. This…
Comb-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 29th
Kacagsuuteq – CombCuumillallret aturtaakait kacagsuutet cucunarta’iluteng. – Ancestors used to always use combs to make themselves beautiful. Combs have been…
Snuff-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 15th
Iqmik – Snuff; Chewing Tobacco; SnooseTobacco, paulamek, cayumek ilaluku, taumi mililuku, tawaten iqmilitaallriit. – Add tobacco, ashes, and tea, then…
Little Cute One-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 7th
Aa’icagaq – Little Cute OneElltuwaqa aa’icagamek ap’rtaaqa. – I call my granddaughter “little cute one.” The Alutiiq word aa’icagaq is…
Bubble-Alutiiq Word of the Week-May 1
Qapuk – BubbleArhnam qapuwait pugtartaartut. – Sea otter’s bubbles always float up. In the Alutiiq language, the term qapuk has…