House, Cabin — Engluq (N), Ungluq (S) Nutaamek engluliyut. – They are building a new house. When Alutiiq people travel outside Alaska or meet visitors from distant places, they are often asked about igloos. “Do you live in an igloo? Do you know anyone who does?” This tired stereotype traces its origins to twentieth-century portrayals […]
Night — Unuk Agyat akirtaartut unugmi. – The stars are bright at night In the northern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox is the September day when the sun shines directly on the Earth’s equator, creating roughly equal periods of light and darkness. The equinox is the official first day of fall. In Alaska, however, the season […]
Aleut Town — Nasqualek Cuumi suuget Nasqualegmi etaallriit. – People used to live in Aleut Town. Afognak Village grew from a pair of neighboring towns—Russian Town and Aleut Town. These small communities were built about a mile apart on the western shore of Afognak Bay. At the south end of the area lay Rutkovsky village, […]
Blanket — Ulik Una ulik aturnirtuq. – This blanket is comfortable. Before the introduction of western mattresses and blankets, Alutiiq people slept on piles of soft, dry grass and covered themselves with bear hides. These warm, insulating materials provided bedding both at home and while traveling. A person who had to camp unexpectedly simply collected […]