Hunter — Pisurta Taugna suk pisurta. – This person is a hunter. The Alutiiq word pisurta translates literally as “one who hunts.” Hunting has always been essential to life on Kodiak, a way to procure not only food but many of the raw materials of daily living: animal skins for clothing and boat coverings, gut for waterproof […]
Harbor — Kangiyangcuk, Kicarwik PaRaguutaqa kicak’gka kangiyangcugmi. – I anchored my boat in the harbor. Alutiiq people have long located their settlements in places that provide safe access to the ocean. In Kodiak’s stormy climate, the ability to launch and land boats is essential for people who hunt, fish, and work on the water. With […]
Meteor — Pamyulek Akgua’aq pamyulegmek tangellrianga. – The other night I saw a meteor. A meteor is a piece of space rock that burns as it falls through the Earth’s atmosphere, creating a bright streak in the night sky. The Alutiiq term for a meteor—pamyulek—comes from the word pamyuq for tail or handle; something that extends out […]
KODIAK—A digital place names map is the newest addition to the Alutiiq Museum’s website. This interactive tool allows visitors to explore over three hundred Alutiiq/Sugpiaq terms for Kodiak’s geographic features, landmarks, and communities. The map is based on research conducted by Dehrich Chya, the museum’s director of language and living culture. It was produced with […]