Aikuq (N), Piugta (S)—Dog April mal’ugnek piugtengq’rtuq.—April has two dogs. Archaeological sites in Alaska illustrate that dogs (Canis familiaris) have been a part of Native communities for at least two thousand years, although the presence of dogs in Siberia eleven thousand years ago suggests that it may be much longer. On Kodiak, dog bones illustrate […]
Paan’kaaq—Can Iqallut lliitaaqait paan’kaanun.—They used to put fish in cans. Kodiak relies heavily on labor to process locally caught fish for delivery to the world‘s market. Alutiiq people have been part of the cannery work force for more than a century, contributing to all stages of fishing processing from catching and cleaning fresh caught salmon […]
Manit-Eggs Manigsurciqukut.We’re going to look for eggs. Bird eggs are a favorite spring food in Alutiiq communities. Each year many thousands of seabirds nest along the rocky shores of the Gulf of Alaska coast. Collectors begin gathering eggs in May, particularly gull eggs. To avoid eggs with developing chicks, it is important to collect those […]
KUNGYUK—CRESTED AUKLET KUNGYUT AMLERTAALLRIIT KANGIYAMI.—THERE USED TO ALWAYS BE A LOT OF CRESTED AUKLETS IN THE BAY. The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella), known by some as the sea quail, is a member of the alcid family, a group that includes auks, puffins, and murres. About two million of these sea birds live in Alaska, in […]