KODIAK.ORG 23 Natives of Kodiak Island called themselves Sugpiaq (meaning “real person”) or Qik’rtarmiug (meaning “island”dweller.”) At the heart of this cultural revival is the Alutiiq Museum, supported by the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation. This lively center not only displays artifacts and art, but also houses a research lab and hosts classes - all with the mission of preserving and sharing Alutiiq culture. (The Alutiiq Museum is undergoing renovation until 2025) Kodiak’s first people were the Alutiiq people. Culturally, linguistically, and biologically Alutiiq people are most closely related to the Eskimo of the Bering Sea coast. Alutiiq people base their subsistence lifestyle on the rich marine resources of the region. Sea mammals, whales, salmon, shellfish and birds were the foundation of prehistoric economies and they continue to sustain Alutiiq families today. When Russian traders arrived in the late 1700’s Alutiiq people numbered about 9,000. The Russians called the people “Aleut” generically, which is a word that means coastal dweller. Today there are about 1,700 Alutiiq people living in the Kodiak region, the City of Kodiak and six rural villages. KODIAK.ORG | 23 Hello - cama'i Salmon - iqalluk HALIBUT - sagiq MOTHER - maama/aana FATHER - atta/ taata KAYAK - qayaq RAIN - qiteq ISLAND - qik'rtaq DANCE - agnguaq WHALE - arwaq BEAR - taquka'aq EAGLE - kum'agyak THANK YOU - quyanaa Generations of the Alutiiq people have limited knowledge of their traditional language. However, many elders and language scholars are working to reawaken the Alutiiq language. Audio files of these words and many more are available at www.alutiiqmuseum.org Rebirth of a language
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