TENGLUNI – FLY (VERB) UKSUQ TAIKAN SAQUL’AAT TENGTAARTUT AGLUTENG. – WHEN WINTER COMES, THE DUCKS FLY AWAY. Birds are special creatures in the Alutiiq world. They can fly the skies, walk the land, and swim the seas. Because of their unique ability to traverse the many layers of the universe, birds are messengers. They facilitate […]
TANQIK, AKIRNEQ – LIGHT TANQIK KUARSGU. – TURN ON THE LIGHT. Once very long ago, when Alutiiq people lived in sod houses and paddled the world by kayak, the world was dark. A powerful chief controlled the sun, moon, and stars and only allowed them to light his village. Many men tried to capture light […]
ILAKUILLUKI – TO SHARE THEM CUQLLIIPET NIUTAAKAITKUT, “ILAKUILLUKI CAQINEK PINGQ’RKUT.” – OUR ELDERS USED TO TELL US, “ALWAYS SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE.” Sharing is the act of giving away a portion of one’s knowledge or belongings to support others. People share for many reasons. Although kindness can be one motivation, another common explanation is risk […]
QUHMAQ – BRACKET FUNGUS QUHMAT NAUTARTUT NAPANI. – BRACKET FUNGI GROW ON TREES. Fungi are among the most common organisms on Earth and they are found everywhere—in the ground, in the air, in water, and even inside people and animals. The fungus kingdom includes well-known organisms like mushrooms, molds, and yeasts, and less familiar organisms likes […]