Cultural Heritage Department

The purpose of the Cultural Heritage Department is to preserve Unangax̂ (Aleut) heritage and to provide programs that encourage Unangax̂ culture to flourish. Knowledge of Unangax̂ culture is critical to the identity and survival of the Unangax̂ as a unique group of Alaska Natives.

The Unangax̂ 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 Unangax̂ people.

Our goal is to preserve information, objects and places relevant to Unangax̂ culture, which includes but is not limited to, Unangax̂ languages, traditional knowledge and values, cultural practices, art, history, archaeological and historical sites, and cultural objects.

Our audience is primarily the Unangax̂, 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 Unangax̂ cultural heritage, and education programs to teach Unangax̂ cultural practices and values to new generations and to inform all people about Unangax̂ life and culture, both past and present.

Programs administered by APIA’s Cultural Heritage Department

Please visit our Culture & History page for an overview of our programs.

APIA’s Cultural Heritage Department was formed in 1998.