Stretching from the lower third of the Alaska Peninsula to the far most western tip of Alaska is the Aleutian Islands. This also includes the Pribilof and Shumagin Islands. Inhabiting these islands are the Alaska Natives called Aleut, or in their native tongue Unangax (oo nung' ah).
Several of these islands once occupied by the Aleuts are now military reserves. The Natives now live in the major villages of Akutan, Atka, Cold Bay, False Pass, King Cove, Nelson Lagoon, Nikolski, Sand Point, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, St. Paul, and St. George. There are as many Aleuts living in other parts of Alaska as there are living in their home islands.
When the Russians first came in contact with the Aleuts they (the Russians) were plying the successful fur hunting in the area. When the sea otter began to disappear from the area, the Russians took the Aleut men on hunts as far away as the Hawaiian Islands. Because these same men were the hunters of the villages, the remaining Aleuts became more and more dependent on the Russians for food and clothing. This also helped bring about the discontinuance of the passing on of historic storytelling, dancing and ceremonies. Within a half-century of Russian occupation the Aleut population was dramatically reduced because of the men being gone on fur hunts and not returning, plus the introduction of infectious disease into their culture.
There is now a re-emergence of cultural connections throughout Alaska. Aleut woven baskets command premium prices today. The art of building iqyax (skin covered kayak like craft) has reappeared as Unalaska high school students built two of these boats. One long and narrow built for speed and the other wide bodied for carrying cargo or for fishing.
Because of the Russian Orthodox influence, Russian Orthodox churches in the region are being restored partly with federal funds received in 1989. These funds were a belated settlement for the governments treatment of the Aleuts during World war II. With the capture of Attu villagers by the Japanese, the U.S. government shipped most of the other Aleuts to desolate internment camps in Southeast Alaska where one in every ten died. The Aleuts today are like most all other Alaska natives. They are mobile members of modern society. They pursue education, jobs, and any other opportunities wherever they may be found. Enduring and important, especially to those depending on subsistence foods, are their cultural practices of fishing, seal hunting, and gathering beach foods.
|