Cave — Legtaq, Qaiqunaq (old form) Legtaq tamlertuq. – The cave is dark. Caves are natural shelters that attract both people and animals. Archaeological data from Prince William Sound illustrate that the prehistoric Alutiiq people camped in caves. Although similar settlements are poorly known from the Kodiak region, oral histories and historical accounts indicate that […]
Hare, Rabbit — Kuskaanaq Kuskaanaq ekllinartuq. – The hare looks delicious. The varying hare or snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) occurs widely throughout North America. This small furbearer is well known for its seasonally changing fur color. In winter, the snowshoe hare has a pure white coat and black-tipped ears, which provides camouflage in a snowy […]
Lent — Pustaaq In Alutiiq communities, the Lenten season covers the forty days preceding Orthodox Easter. The two or three weeks before Lent are often a time of celebration, in preparation for the fasting and quiet lifestyle expected in the days leading up to Easter. Before Lent, Alutiiq people eat lots of good food, hold […]
Corporation — Akilingnaq’sqat Akilingnaq’sqat angsinartut akilingnaqlluteng. – Some corporations are big and they are trying to make money. Forty years ago, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act returned forty-four million acres of land and 962.5 million dollars to Alaska’s Native people. Known by its acronym ANCSA, this historic piece of federal legislation represented a turning […]