The Alutiiq Museum has hired Maggie Christofferson to staff its reception desk. Christofferson, who joined the museum’s team this week, will greet visitors, answer phones, work in the museum store, and provide administrative support to the museum’s staff of eleven. Originally from Teller, Alaska, Maggie is the daughter of John Earl and Thelma Komok. She […]
Cuukiiq–Socks Cuukii’itua!–I have no socks! In the past, Alutiiq people often went barefoot. A historic account from Karluk tells of Alutiiq ladies dressed in stylish, velvet dresses, walking to church barefoot. Boots were saved for cold winter weather, and often included a lining of moss or grass, and a pair of hand woven grass socks. […]
Nanwalek–English Bay Kina nanwalegmek?–Who is from English Bay? The Alutiiq village of Nanwalek lies on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, just ten miles southwest of Seldovia. Although Alutiiq people have lived in this region for thousands of years, the community of Nanwalek began as a Russian trading post, built by fur traders in […]
Litnaurluni–Study Litnauryugtuci-qaa?–Do you all want to study? The study of Alutiiq heritage has changed dramatically in the past three centuries. In classical Alutiiq society, children learned the skills of adult life by working with and listening to family members. People with special gifts—artists, healers, shamans, tradition bearers, and politicians—apprenticed to accomplished community members to study […]