Sandstone sculpture from Chirikof Island, US Fish & Wildlife Service collection, AM 513
Holdings
TYPES OF COLLECTIONS
The Alutiiq Museum’s collections are diverse. We care for archaeological materials, photographs, ethnographic objects, artwork, archival items, film & audio recordings, and natural history specimens. Learn more and see examples at the links below.
Detail of an embroidered gut bag from the Kodiak region, from the collections of the Alaska State Museum.
Amutat Database
ALUTIIQ OBJECTS IN THE WORLD’S MUSEUMS
Alutiiq cultural treasures are stored in museums around the world. The online Amutat database helps people connect to these objects. Amutat means “things to pull”. We chose this name for the database as it pulls together items from many collections. Amutat creates a central place to view Alutiiq objects.
Museum Assistant Wes Pyle studies an artifact in the museum laboratory.
Research
HOW TO STUDY MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
The Alutiiq Museum’s collections are available for study. People wishing to view objects in our care should complete and return a copy of our Research Request form and schedule an appointment with Amanda Lancaster 844-425-8844.
Please note that museum policies provide for the protection of sacred and culturally sensitive objects and information. Not all collections are accessible to the general public. Requests to access sensitive collections will be reviewed following established museum guidelines.
Patrick Saltonstall on Tugidak Island with a stone net weight.
Alutiiq Tools
IDENTIFYING ANCESTRAL TOOLS
The museum cares for thousands of ancestral objects. To tell their stories, we have to accurately identify their functions, manufacture, and material. This can be difficult. Many traditional tools are no longer used and knowledge of them has faded. This Alutiiq Technological Inventory is designed to help. This twelve-chapter manual summarizes the tools Alutiiq ancestors made and used before the introduction of European objects.
Children at the Ouzinkie Mission Home with gifts of new clothes, ca. 1940. Courtesy of Tim and Norman Smith.
Contributing to Collections
DONATIONS & LOANS
The Alutiiq Museum is a community repository. We hold collections for individuals, families, tribes, ANCSA corporations, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. You can give us your collections or offer it as a loan.
Molly Odell shares collections in storage with visiting students.
Facilities & Policies
GUIDING DOCUMENTS
The Alutiiq Museum’s collection care and acquisition activities are supported by professional facilities and follow a set of policies enacted by our board of directors. We are committed to providing exceptional care of the items entrusted to us. Learn about our collections program and its guiding principles.