Alaska’s Native people are descended from ancient Siberians. Alaska’s first settlers walked and paddled into North America when sea levels were much lower than today. People were living around the Gulf of Alaska at least 10,000 years ago.

The Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people are a maritime people who live in the central Gulf of Alaska. Our homelands include the Alaska Peninsula, the outer Kenai Peninsula, the Kodiak Archipelago, and Prince William Sound. Our ancestors settled here more than 7,500 years ago. Displays of artifacts trace our history through ancestral traditions to the colonial era.

Touch replicas of petroglyphs—ancestral rock art.

We have deep ties to the waters, lands, and skies of Kodiak. Our homeland sustains us. Harvesting its plants and animals is a privilege. It requires skill, knowledge, and most of all respect. Harvesting is more than subsistence. It is suumacirpet—our way of living. This large gallery introduces visitors to our hunting, fishing, and gathering traditions.  Llarpet ling’anartuq. Our world is worthy of respect.

From the Arctic Ocean to Prince William Sound, Native people crafted swift, seaworthy boats from wood and animal skins. Each culture had a distinct style of kayak, with unique qualities designed for the environment.  Learn about Alutiiq boats in this dramatic display of a complete 19th-century kayak, kayak frame, and the tools used by paddlers.

We are connected to each other—to our family members, communities, and ancestors. Our strength comes from caring for each other. We share what we have, help those in need, and value the wisdom of our Elders. Ling’akutukut. We respect each other.

Learn about our traditional sod houses, the roles people have in our communities, and our interactions with neighbors.

This gallery has a wamwik—a place to play. Our youngest visitors will find dolls, puzzles, puppets, and games in a replica of a sod house. 

We are spiritual people of diverse faiths. We honor our ancestral worldview. We share what we have, welcome everyone, and enjoy laughing. Trust is important to us. Llarpet allakat cali ling’akapet. – We respect our world and others.

This gallery explores Alutiiq concepts of the universe and our traditional spiritual practices—from shamanism and storytelling to festivals and masked dancing. 

Find handsets where you can listen to an Alutiiq storyteller share a tale.

The arrival of Russian traders irreversibly changed our culture. Our people were forced to adopt new languages, customs, and the Russian Orthodox religion as we were swept into the global economy. The Alutiiq story didn’t end with the conquest of Kodiak. Our people adapted to the new reality and found ways to carry traditions forward.

This gallery examines the force that shaped today’s Alutiiq community, from the fur trade and epidemics to American schools, industries, and a world war.

This gallery has a touch screen with historic and contemporary photos of Kodiak Alutiiq communities.

Keneq—fire represents the persistence of our way of life and the cultural torch passed from generation to generation. Despite two centuries of cultural suppression, the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq way of life thrives. Today we live our culture openly and celebrate our traditions proudly. The light of Alutiiq culture burns bright.

This gallery explores the Alutiiq heritage movement. Learn about the cultural renaissance and how Alutiiq traditions continue.

Find our creation station and make an art card to keep or share in a display.