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“Providing programs that encourage Unanga{ culture to flourish. Dedicated to preserving the past for the future good of the Unanga{ people”
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Mission Statement
The purpose of the Cultural Heritage Department is to preserve
Unanga{ (Aleut) heritage and to
provide programs that encourage Unanga{
culture to flourish. Knowledge of
Unanga{ culture is critical to the identity
and survival of the Unangan (Aleuts) as a unique group of Alaska Natives.
The Unanga{ people have a cultural history
in the region that extends at least
8,000 years into the past; the Cultural Heritage
Department is dedicated to preserving that past
for the future good of the Unanga{ people.
Our goal is to preserve information, objects and places relevant to Unanga{ culture which includes but is not limited to, Unanga{ languages,
traditional knowledge and values,
cultural practices, art, history, archaeological and historical sites, and cultural objects.
Our audience is primarily the Unangan,
however, we also seek to educate the
general public about our history and culture.
The scope of our work includes preservation
programs to record information pertinent
to Unanga{ cultural heritage, and education programs to teach Unanga{ cultural practices
and values to new generations and to inform
all people about Unanga{ life and culture,
both past and present.
Oral History
The Belkofski Oral History Documentation project is a collaboration between the Belkofski Village Council, APIA’s Cultural Heritage and Community Services Departments to produce a 30-minute DVD-R documentary highlighting the now abandoned village of Belkofski and is in the final production phase. Over 50 hours of footage and interviews have been recorded for use in the Tribal documentary.
Aleut Heritage Library & Archive
The library is a continually growing collection of books, articles, audio recordings, photographs, maps, journals, video recordings, and archival materials relating to Unanga{ history, culture, and the environment of the region. A unique component to our collection is the WWII Aleut evacuation and repatriation documentation. Our collection also contains Lydia Black’s archive and research material. Although it is a non-lending library, we are open to the public and welcome those interested in our collection to stop by.
Urban Unanga{ Culture Camp
The culture camp is held annually at Unangam Ulaa (Home of the Aleuts), APIA’s Anchorage facility. Our summer camp provides cultural enrichment activities for youth and adults who have the opportunity to learn traditional skills such as: bentwood visor construction, kayak building, language, dance, basket weaving, beaded headdresses, regalia sewing, subsistence activities, and many other fun activities. Upon request, Cultural Heritage staff provides assistance for tribes to help plan and coordinate camps held within their communities and will provide language instruction and resources. THANK YOU to all contributers and volunteers. For additional information .
DONATIONS ARE WELCOME!
Unangam Tunuu Preservation
Unangam Tunuu (Aleut language) is an endangered language with fewer than 100 speakers remaining. APIA’s Cultural Heritage Department is dedicated to helping revitalize and preserve the language through activities such as:
- Digitization of audio recordings
- Translation, transcription, and transliteration of recorded and written material
- Create recordings for use in language projects and material
- Facilitate and support Unangam Tunuu lessons and classes
- Develop Unangam Tunuu learning material that will encourage and promote the use of Unangam Tunuu
Our fluent speakers offer their expertise to provide translations, as well as audio recordings, from English into either one of the two major dialects: Nii}u}im Tunuu (Atka Dialect) and Qagaaadan Tunuu (Eastern dialect). These translations and audio recordings are used for language learning material, Word of the Week, newsletters, radio broadcasts, signs and posters, and any other media where Unangam Tunuu can be used.
Unangam Tunuu (Aleut Language) Word of the Week
TO PROPERLY VIEW THE UNANGAM TUNUU WORD OF THE WEEK YOU MUST HAVE THE UNANGAM TUNUU FONT INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER.
- If you would like to download the font please .
- To view & listen to the Word of the Week
If you no longer wish to receive the Unangam Tunuu Word of the Week please contact: milliem@apiai.org or sharonkay@apiai.org with Subject heading, Please remove me from Unangam Tunuu Word of the Week.
Other Services
- APIA cultural heritage center development and management
- Historic preservation
- Oral history documentation
- Preserving and archiving family art, artifacts and photographs
- Publications of and sales of books and other materials on Unanga{ art, culture, language, and history. see shopping
- Repatriation: research & documentation, database maintenance, and preparation and coordination of Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) grants and claims (Resources for Tribes, Native Alaskan Villages and corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations)
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