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For Teachers

Taikina You Should Come

The Alutiiq Museum works with teachers and learners of all ages and heritage. Many classes visit the museum each year, but our staff can also schedule a visit to your classroom, camp, or event. For assistance with a museum field trip or planning an event in your classroom, please contact Education Manager Leda Beuthin, 844-425-8844.

Museum staff member Patrick Saltonstall teaches students about Alutiiq kayaks on a gallery tour.


Visiting the Museum

FIELD TRIPS

The Alutiiq Museum provides free tours for educational groups and classes. Our guided gallery visits take about an hour and help students investigate Alutiiq history, language, and culture. Whether you are studying sea mammals, geology, weather, or storytelling, our experts can design a tour especially for your group. To ensure we can accommodate your group, all tours require advance scheduling.

Educators are invited to visit the museum before bringing a class. Stop by to develop ideas for discussion, consider activities, and talk with our staff. There is no charge to preview our gallery.

Note: Our gallery is currently closed for renovations, but we are offering guided tours of the Alutiiq Ancestors’ Memorial.

Students with their Alutiiq language valentines.


Classroom Visits

INVITE THE ALUTIIQ MUSEUM

Our education team is skilled at leading activities that infuse Alutiiq art and culture into your lesson plans. Ask us about bringing the Mobile Museum to your class or event, working with a culture bearer in your space, or arranging a field trip to explore Alutiiq plants.

Elder Herman Squartsoff demonstrates how to clean crab meat.


Working with Culture Bearers

WORK WITH AN EXPERT

In the Alutiiq world, every adult is a teacher and children learn by working closely with family members and mentors. Bring this style of teaching to your classroom by inviting a culture bearer to lead an activity. There are many knowledgeable Alutiiq people who enjoy working with students and many possible activities.

  • Ask an artist to lead sewing, beading, or painting.
  • Invite an Alutiiq speaker to teach greeting or songs.
  • Take a field trip with a harvester to learn about plants.
  • Interivew an Elder about local history.

Please remember that culture bearers are esteemed members of the Alutiiq community and should be treated with the greatest respect.

To discuss your project and identify a culture bearer please contact Leda Beuthin, 844-425-8844. We will facilitate.


Additional Resources

  • Ask Us.

    Send a question about Alutiiq culture or history to our staff.

  • Word of the Week Archive

    Search our archive of 679 short lessons on the Alutiiq world.

  • Plantlore App

    Take a plant walk with our Alutiiq Plants app.  Free for iOS and Android phones and tablets.

  • Teaching Collection

    Explore traditions with ancestral tools that can be handled.

  • Beading Activities

    Find more beading projects on the beading arts page of our website.

  • Publications

    Explore Alutiiq heritage for all ages, with print and digital resources.

  • Alutiiq Traditions

    Frequently asked questions answered in free one-page lessons.

  • Plillita—Let’s Create!

    Pages from our activity book. Watch for a new download each month.