Cross — KRistaaq Introduced to Kodiak by nineteenth-century Russian Orthodox clergy, the Christian cross is a symbol that appears widely in Alutiiq communities. Although kRistaaq sounds like the word Christ, it comes from the Russian word for cross, kRest, which may be related to the Latin word ‘crux.’ It is not derived from KRistuusaq, the Alutiiq word for […]
KODIAK, Alaska – The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) and its crew returned to its homeport of Kodiak following a successful 57-day patrol in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea, Monday. Nicknamed the “Bulldog of the Bering,” the Alex Haley and crew supported multiple strategic-level objectives for the Seventeenth Coast Guard District and the U.S. Northern Command, including providing […]
Seal — Isuwiq Isuwiq piturnirtuq. – The seal tastes good. Kodiak’s sea mammals provided a variety of resources for Alutiiq people. Seals, sea lions, porpoises, and whales produced meat for food, oil for light, hides for boat coverings, and bone and sinew for tools. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were particularly important because they were available […]
Baleen — Kagit’ruaq Inartat kag’it’ruamek pilitaallriit. – They used to make baskets out of baleen. What do hooves, horns, hair, claws, fingernails, feathers, scales, beaks, and baleen have in common? They are all made of keratin, a fibrous protein found in living organisms. In humans, keratin makes up the outer layer of our skin […]