Labret-Alutiiq Word of the Week-February 22nd
Kulutruaq – Labret Kulutruaq gua’i. – The labret is right here. Throughout Alaska, many Native people wore labrets: decorative plugs…
Cataract-Alutiiq Word of the Week-February 15
Talataq – Cataract Talatangq’rtuq. – He has cataracts. Cataracts are a common problem among older people. As we age, proteins…
Stormy-Alutiiq Word of the Week-February 8, 2015
Kayunguq – Stormy Kayunguq, eh? – It’s stormy, eh? Despite mild temperatures, Kodiak lies in one of the most meteorologically…
Louse-Alutiiq Word of the Week-February 2, 2015
Neresta – Louse Aikut nerestangq’rtut. – The dogs have lice. Historic accounts indicate that lice were a constant plague in…
Shaman-Alutiiq Word of the Week-January 25, 2015
Kalla’alek; Samanaq – Shaman Kalla’alek alingnartuq. – The shaman is scary. Alutiiq shamans healed the sick, foretold the future, controlled…
Driftwood-Alutiiq Word of the Week-January 18, 2015
Pukilaaq; Kapilaq; Tep’aq – Driftwood Pukilaanek iwa’at’skut. – Let’s look for driftwood. Spruce trees are a recent addition to the…
Blue-Alutiiq Word of the Week-January 11th, 2015
Cungaq; Cungasqaq – Blue Qapilaat cungartut. – The mussels are blue. In the Alutiiq language, the colors green and blue…
Year-Alutiiq Word of the Week-January 4, 2015
Uksuq; Kiak (during Russian times)- Year Uksuq asillria. – The year was good. Russian New Year is one of the…
Guest-Alutiiq Word of the Week-December 28, 2014
Allanertaq – Guest; Stranger; Outsider Allenertakinga akgua’aq. – A stranger came to see me yesterday. Hosting guests was a sign…
Spirit-Alutiiq Word of the Week-December 21
Sua (literally, “Its person”); Anerneq (literally, “breath”) – Spirit Caqiq tamarmi suangq’rtuq. – Something all around has a spirit. The…