Beak — Cug’eq Kum’agyam cugaa ipegtaartuq. – An eagle’s beak is always sharp. Elders recall that every Alutiiq hunter had at least two helping animal spirits, one for land hunting and one for sea hunting. These spirits provided luck and assistance and were frequently birds. The frequent use of bird imagery in Alutiiq art symbolizes […]
Weather, Sky, Outdoors, Universe, World — Lla Lla Asirtuq. – The weather is good. The world’s cultures have a great variety of beliefs about the sky. Tlingit people see the sky as an upside-down bowl with a hard surface. Their sky has layers that provide a home for the souls of those who died from […]
Play — Wamluni, Salirluni Wamqutartut. – They are going to play. Education in Alutiiq communities focused on training children the essential skills of adult life. Young people learned these skills by listening to stories and legends, helping their Elders, and imitating adult activities with toys. Archaeological sites in the Kodiak Archipelago have produced many miniature […]
Kasnaam Ernera – Independence Day Ernerpak Kasnaam ernera. – Today is Independence Day. People often think of summer as a time when communities disperse, as people move to fish camps or travel. But where resources are abundant and predictable, communities often gather in the summer. Long, warm days offer opportunities to harvest foods and to […]