Museum Bulletin

Vol 16, No. 1, Summer 2011 Accreditation Achieved The Experts Speak! It took 14 years and an enormous amount of work, but the Alutiiq Who killed Father Juvenaly? What happened to the salmon Museum achieved a long held dream in July – national accreditation. smolt in Afognak Lake? What Alutiiq treasures lie in Russian Bestowed by the American Association of Museums, accreditation Museums? Th e answers will be revealed during the Alutiiq Museum’s is the highest level of professional certifi cation for museums in the annual lecture series. Join us to hear the latest results from cultural, . It indicates that a museum meets the most rigorous historical, and biological research on Kodiak and ask your questions. standards of practice in everything it does, from caring for collections, Hear the experts speak. to serving the public and even preparing for emergencies. Rev. Dr. Michael Oleska “We set accreditation as a goal 14 years ago when we were Th e Disappearance of Father Juvenaly developing the museum’s program and policies” said Deputy August 9th, 2011, 7:00 pm Director Amy Steffi an. “I remember the meeting where our board and staff decided that accreditation could be a great measure for Alisha Drabek, MA our work, that we could model the museum’s practices after those Exploring Kodiak Alutiiq Literature standards. We wanted the world to see that a tribal museum could be August 18th, 2011, 7:00 pm both a culturally meaningful institution and a fi rst class, professional Steven Th omsen, BA museum. It’s thrilling to know that we accomplished that goal.” Afognak Lake Sockeye Salmon Investigation Th e Alutiiq Museum is just the seventh museum in and August 25th, 2010, 7:00 pm the second tribal museum in the United States to be accredited. Th e Sven Haakanson, Jr., Ph.D. initial certifi cation will last 15 years, then the museum must apply Sugpiaq Collections of the Russian Museum of Ethnography to renew its accreditation. September 1st, 2011, 7:00 pm “Th is is a milestone for the Alutiiq Museum,” said Executive Director Sven Haakanson, Jr. “Accreditation is the professional seal Philip Tschersich, MS of approval. It let’s others know that the Alutiiq nation has a model Black Rockfi sh Abundance Hydroacoustic Study of museum.” and Alaska Peninsula Many people helped the museum reach its accreditation goal. September 8th, 2010, 7:00 pm “We are especially grateful, to Scott Carrlee of the Alaska State Gordon L. Pullar, Ph.D. Museum who made us believe that we were ready to begin the Woody Island History and the Politics of Identity application process, and provided an exceptional summer intern, September 13th, 2010, 5:30 pm Elizabeth Manekin, to launch our bid,” said Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister American Voices: Sharing the Haakanson. “Once we Generously sponsored Extraordinary Stories of were in the program, it by Ardinger’s Fine Ordinary People took the entire board Furnishings & Gifts, GCI, September 22nd, 2010, 7:00 pm and staff two years of the Institute for Museum application writing, Larry VanDaele, Ph.D. and Library Services, documentation, Brown Bears: Northern Peoples’ Kodiak College Library, correspondence, and Liaison with the Spirit World Mill Bay Coff ee, On the fi nally a site visit to September 29th, 2010, 7:00 pm Cape Vacation Rentals, reach this day. It was a Marnie Leist, MA the Old Powerhouse team eff ort and we did Rediscovering Karluk One Restaurant, the it. It feels amazing.” October 6th, 2010, 7:00 pm Rasmuson Foundation, RC Enterprises, and Sea April Laktonen Counceller inventories Patrick Saltonstall, MA, RPA Hawk Air. emergency preparedness supplies. Th e Evolution of Alutiiq Houses Quyanaa – We thank you. October 13th, 2010, 7:00 pm 1 Cama’i – Hello For the past 14 years the museum’s staff has worked to attain National Accreditation. With the support of the Alutiiq Museum American Association of Museum’s MAP program, the Alaska State Museum, and many others we reached this Archaeological Repository 215 Mission Road, Suite 101 goal (Page 1). I want to thank all of you for supporting Kodiak, Alaska 99615 our work toward this milestone. Your participation and Phone: 907-486-7004 Fax: 907-486-7048 donations helped the museum bring its mission to the email: [email protected] community. You told us what you needed, and you made www.alutiiqmuseum.org us better! We’ve reached a little farther, tried something new, and set the highest standard for the museum because AAlutiiqlutiiq HHeritageeritage Foundation:Foundation: of your participation. I thank you. Chair: Will Anderson, Koniag, Inc. Vice Chair: Margaret Roberts, Koniag, Inc. In many ways, accreditation sets the bar even higher for Secretary: Donene Tweten, Natives of Kodiak, Inc. the Alutiiq Museum. It’s not a static certifi cation. We must Treasurer: Perry Eaton, Ouzinkie Native Corp. continue to meet high standards in all we do and earn our Board Member: Margie Bezona, KANA credential again in the future. As such, your input continues Board Member: Fred Coyle, Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc. Board Member: Ruth Dawson, Afognak Native Corp. to be critical as we establish future goals. Currently, we are Board Member: Tanya Inga, Old Harbor Native Corp. considering the feasibility of a new facility. Over the past Board Member: Gordon Pullar, at large decade we have outgrown our space on Mission Road Board Member: Andy Teuber, KANA and need to consider how we will meet the needs of our Open Seat: Leisnoi, Inc. programs in the future. Should we build a new museum, AAlutiiqlutiiq MMuseumuseum SStaff:taff: develop a stand-alone storage facility, or do something else to meet our space needs? What would you support? Executive Director: Sven Haakanson, Jr. Deputy Director: Amy Steffi an Also, this fall we are launching a new initiative that Museum Manager: Katie St. John Curator: Patrick Saltonstall involves Kodiak in exploring subsistence practices, to Registrar: Marnie Leist better understand how our ancestors harvested and used Exhibits Coordinator: Jill Lipka wild foods (Page 3). “You are what you eat” and like a Alutiiq Language Manager: April Laktonen Counceller society’s art and language, its food traditions are rich in Public Outreach Coordinator: Danielle Ringer cultural information. Th ey preserve environmental and Gallery Attendant: Danica Majdic Summer Intern: Carmen Ceron technological information, illustrate cultural values, and Summer Intern: Christy Roe unite all people around the harvesting, processing, and Th e Alutiiq Museum is governed by Afgonak Native Corporation, Akhiok preparation of meals that have sustained generations. Kaguyak Inc., KANA, Koniag Inc., Leisnoi Inc., Natives of Kodiak Inc., By documenting these practices and creating a set of Old Harbor Native Corporation, and Ouzinkie Native Corporation. Each educational resources, we hope to foster cultural learning, organization elects a representative to the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation, the Alutiiq Museum’s board. Funding is provided by charitable contributions, sustain traditions, encourage healthy eating, and celebrate membership fees, grants, contracts and sales from the museum store. how Kodiak’s environment continues to provide for our ALUTIIQ HERITAGE FOUNDATION community. Join us for some great learning and eating! MISSION STATEMENT: Th e Alutiiq Heritage Foundation, through the Alutiiq Museum and Th ank you for helping us reach the accreditation Archaeological Repository, preserve the traditions of the Alutiiq people and milestone and remember your support will continue to promotes greater awareness of the rich cultural legacy of the indigenous make this little island museum achieve big. peoples of the greater region. Our collections are held in a repository that is accessible to the public. We encourage and support research on Alutiiq culture history, and disseminate the results of this Quyanaa, research to the public through educational outreach, exhibits, special Sven events, publications, and scholarly presentations. Tax ID #92-0150422 Th e Alutiiq Museum Bulletin is published quarterly. Printed by Camai Printing Kiagtukut. – We are having Summer. 2 LLanguageanguage Kaigtuten? Are You Hungry? Foods Project funded by National Parks Service A scatter of broken clamshells hints than an octopus is hiding Th is project begins in September and will feature deer – the under a nearby rock. Seal intestines should be rinsed with salt fi rst of our 12 monthly foods. Kaigtuten? Are You Hungry? water before stuffi ng. Eating fatty king salmon can interfere with Join us to learn more. the eff ectiveness of some plant medicines. Th ese are examples Featured Wild Foods of the cultural knowledge about wild foods preserved in Alutiiq September – Deer March – Seaweed & Kelp people. Th rough Neq’rkat: Th e Alutiiq Wild Foods Project the Alutiiq October – Silver Salmon April – Cod Museum will explore the knowledge of the Alutiiq community’s most November – Duck May – Red Salmon experienced wild food harvesters and cooks to document, share, and December – Ptarmigan June – Assorted Fresh Greens perpetuate tribal subsistence traditions. January – Octopus July – Berries Although wild foods are well known on Kodiak, many younger February – Mussels August – Halibut tribal members have little experience harvesting, processing, or preparing these foods. Moreover, there are few records of Alutiiq food traditions. Th rough a series of monthly, videotaped interviews and community events, the Alutiiq Museum will explore and document the use of 12 widely available wild foods. Th e process will capture fading subsistence traditions, particularly little recorded knowledge of food processing and preparation. Project videos will help the museum develop a short video on each food, a recipe booklet, and a page for the museum’s website. Th ese resources will share Alutiiq food traditions with the community and promote the perpetuation of healthy, culturally valued subsistence practices. Do you have favorite photos of a beautiful salmon, or a bounty of beautiful berries? Do you know of a family member with video from your last ptarmigan hunt, or when you gathered bidarkies with your kids? Th e museum is on a hunt for images and clips to help us document foods harvested on Kodiak and develop resources to encourage young people to participate in subsistence activities. We are also looking for suggestions. Which community members should we interview? Who is the most are experienced in the harvesting and preparation of wild foods in your family or town? Please contact Woman cooking in Afognak Village. April Counceller – [email protected], and let us know. Courtesy Juney Mullen. Subsistence Seasoned – Greek-inspired Salmon from April Laktonen Counceller Nekeferoff boy with salmon, Pasagshak 1960. INGREDIENTS One fresh red salmon fi llet Nekeferoff Collection, (or another fresh or previously frozen local fi sh) Gift of Robert Erickson. 1 tomato, chopped 1/2 purple onion, cut into rings salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 cup chopped feta cheese 4 T lemon juice 1 T dried dill weed In a baking dish, sprinkle salmon fi llet with salt, pepper, and dill. Top with chopped tomato and sliced onion, then with chopped feta cheese. Drizzle lemon juice over everything. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until fi llet is fully cooked. Enjoy.

Uksuangnia’artuq. – It will be fall soon. 3 EEducationducation An Afternoon for Educators Mark your calendars. Th e Alutiiq Museum will Learn how the museum can support your instruction, host a special open house for Kodiak educators schedule class visits, and talk to our staff about on August 18th, 2011 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. Join your projects. How can we assist you? Th ere are our staff to learn more about museum resources. many opportunities for collaboration. Th is is Browse publications, learn of upcoming events and event is free and open to all educators – teachers, exhibits, take gallery and collections room tours, instructors, day care providers, counselors, home and discuss your special projects with us. school parents. Door prizes will be drawn at 4:00 Th e Alutiiq Museum is always changing. Th is and 4:30 pm. is an opportunity to preview our latest projects. Girl with animal mask. Uswitusqaq’s Dream is a Kodiak Dream Review by Jennifer Simeonoff Finally! A fi ctional book slow beginning may discourage reluctant readers. Th ings pick centered on Alutiiq culture and up, however, when Tanqiq and Kuuku must navigate through the Kodiak region for young some sticky situations that will thrill adventure fans to the end. readers! Teachers and librarians Animal lovers, meanwhile, will absolutely fall in love with the have long known that the key vulnerable baby otter, Mik’i. Mik’i and his mother irresistibly to sparking a life-long passion appear on the front cover; Squartsoff ’s eye-catching art will for reading starts when a person have readers snatching the book off the shelves. Petroglyph makes a meaningful, personal graphics peppered throughout the book also lend the story connection to text—when Alutiiq fl avor and adds a whimsical touch that children are they see themselves in a story. sure to respond to. Uswitusqaq’s Dream will help fi ll Alutiiq language learners and teachers will rejoice in having the literary void for our Alutiiq this book in their hands as an entertaining platform to expose youngsters. Kodiak bookshelves learners to Alutiiq vocabulary. Alutiiq terms are sprinkled Jennifer Simeonoff make space for this book! throughout the story in a natural manner, not forced or over- Although authored by an Australian, Leighton’s story done. While there is a comprehensive glossary of Alutiiq terms contains a surprising plethora of details about traditional in the back of the book, the fi rst page of each chapter also Alutiiq culture and the abundant landscape of Kodiak Island. has a glossary of that chapter’s words. Th is feature reduces the Kodiak Islanders will recognize their shining home in the amount of page-fl ipping for defi nitions, and it should be noted pages of this book. Off -islanders will be transported to our that many of the Alutiiq words contain suffi cient context clues Alaskan island in a dream of their own. Educators will fi nd it a that readers can guess the meanings without interruption. delicious fi ctional treat to complement any study of sea otters Educators will appreciate the opportunity the chapter glossaries or Alutiiq education. provide for previewing chapters, predicting, and vocabulary In the story, devoted brothers, Tanqiq and Kuuku, fi ght review. Non-Alutiiq speakers will want to visit the referenced with and look after each other on their quest to fi nd sea Alutiiq Museum website for pronunciation assistance. Alutiiq otters at a time when the animals are believed to have been children will also recognize popular traditional songs woven eradicated. Th e boys’ satisfyingly diff erent personalities make into the story. Th ey will delight in singing along with Tanqiq an interesting character study for comparing and contrasting. and Kuuku. Readers will appreciate the provided English Readers, however, may be confused about their age. Th ey are translations. written as young boys, but have girlfriends back home. Th is may Uswitusqaq’s Dream was thoroughly enjoyed by every be culturally and historically accurate, but may unnecessarily member of my family. Th is book has a place in my home, my confuse young readers. Additionally, the beginning of the classroom, and my library. story, while rich in setting and character development, has an underdeveloped sense of why the mission is important, even Copies of Uswitusqaq’s Dream are available from the Alutiiq with the explanation off ered in the introduction. Th e resulting Museum store for $12.00. Iqsagyaturlita. – Let’s go hook fishing. 4 CCollectionsollections Akhiok Records Preserved Paper is fragile! Historic books and After a stay in the museum’s Haakanson is particularly enthusiastic documents can be very diffi cult to preserve. scientifi c freezer, staff members carefully about the outcome of the project. “It is Often made of poor quality or acidic unpacked the boxes of materials and wonderful to know these records from materials, which deteriorate with time, paper quickly recognized their importance. Akhiok will be available for decades to objects are subject to a host of destructive Not only are Akhiok resident’s names come,” he said. “We are privileged to have forces - mold, mildew, bug infestations, and handwritten in Cyrillic in many of the such rich documentation of community fading from ultra-violet light. books, but several of the small legers history, and having a professional paper In May, a rare opportunity arose to document the births and deaths of conservator help to care for this record is preserve Russian Orthodox books and community members, as well as historic truly priceless.” documents from the Chapel of the Holy information from the early 1900s. Th e Trinity in Akhiok. In the spring of 2010, materials represent an extremely rare with the help of the Akhiok community, source of written documentation on Executive Director Sven Haakanson Alutiiq community history. rescued a delicate and aging collection of Lucky for the museum, paper books and documents from the display conservator Seth Irwin was in the midst case at the Akhiok school. Th e documents of a statewide consulting tour. Irwin had been found in the church attic and is the fi rst professionally trained paper moved to the school about 1991. During conservator to visit Alaska. With support his visit to Akhiok, Haakanson observed from Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc., Irwin spent that the books and documents were in three weeks in Kodiak photographing, jeopardy. Many of these items were molded assessing, and cleaning the collection. His and in need of immediate intervention work stabilized the materials. Now that to save them. With permission from the they are safe to handle, the museum hopes community, Haakanson brought them to to develop a project to translate and share Page from a 1904 ledger the Alutiiq Museum. the historical information they contain. showing furs taken and their value. Akhiok Church Collection Collection Continues to Reveal Treasures KANA summer intern Carmen Carmen’s work is part of a larger According to project director Marnie Ceron was quietly cataloging wood project to care for the Karluk One Leist, “Working systematically through samples from the Karluk One site. Plastic assemblage – the museum’s largest and the Karluk collection is helping us to bags fi lled with sticks and wood chips most diverse collection. Excavated from better understand its contents. We collected in 1985 cluttered the lab table. a prehistoric village at the mouth of the are photographing and organizing As she worked with each bag - weighing, Karluk River, the collection contains over objects as well go, and creating the fi rst assigning a number, and logging 20,000 objects, many of them remarkably comprehensive inventory. Th e collection information – Carmen paused to examine preserved. Objects not found in most will be much more accessible when were its contents, checking for artifacts hidden Kodiak village sites were preserved at are fi nished.” among the wood fragments archaeologists Karluk One due to the unusually wet collected for radiocarbon dating. It’s not conditions. Th e site’s huge collection, unusual to fi nd a fragment of an arrow however, pose special challenges. shaft or a fi shhook hiding in such debris. With grant funding from the Institute In one bag, however, Carmen glimpsed for Museum and Library Services, the familiar shapes – the curve of a nose, Alutiiq Museum is addressing these the arc of a brow. Covered with dirt, but challenges – from inventorying the unmistakable, she discovered a maskette. massive collection to improving its care. With a little brushing, this hand-size And as Carmen discovered, this year carving of a human face came into view, long project is helping to reveal the Karluk One maskette, 500 years old and amazingly preserved. many treasures in the assemblage. Koniag, Inc. Collection. Sagincugmek pitllianga. – I got a little halibut. 5 AAnnualnnual RReporteport Silugtukut – We Are Proud Th e Alutiiq Museum ended its fi scal year on Education December 31, 2010. We look back with pride on our • Created an exhibit and seven short fi lms accomplishments. Th e museum continues to be a place where on the Cape Alitak petroglyphs. people come to expand their knowledge of Kodiak history and • Taught basket weaving in 5 Alutiiq villages. where the Alutiiq story can be explored joyfully. For the many • Held an Alutiiq Language Summit. successes of 2010, we are indebted to our board, donors, • Published an Alutiiq Numbers poster and an Alutiiq volunteers, and staff . culture themed children’s novel. Our Finances: • Led monthly Saturday arts programs for youth. • Hosted a lecture series on local scientifi c research. 2010 BALANCE SHEET Assets 2010 2009 • Promoted the work of 30 local artists. Total Current Assets $741,890 $407,559 • Enhanced the museum’s web site. Total Fixed Assets $84,017 $207,761 Research Total Assets $825,907 $615,320 • Documented over 100 woven objects in the collections of the Russian Ethnographic Museum, St. Petersburg, Liabilities and Equity for publication. Total Liabilities $153,449 $92,059 • Located and mapped archaeological sites at Cape Alitak Total Equity $672,458 $523,261 and documented 13 clusters of petroglyphs. Total Liabilities and Equity $825,907 $615,320 • Excavated the Penguq site, a winter village on the Alaska 2010 PROFIT & LOSS STATEMENT Peninsula’s King Salmon River and developed a technical Revenue report for publication. Total Earned Revenue $396,894 • Excavated a prehistoric settlement at Mikt’sqaaq Angayak Total Donations $331,201 – the Little Friend site at Cliff Point. Total Grant Income $429,393 • Worked with 23 volunteers to monitor the condition of archaeological sites around the archipelago. Total Revenue $1,157,488 Expenses Total Personnel $624,663 Total Travel $42,914 Total Services $223,270 Total Supplies $111,297 Total Equipment $41,155 Total Expenses $1,043,299

Net Proceeds $114,189

Recent Accomplishments: Collections • Completed an inventory of the museum’s photographic collections • Completed a conservation assessment of the Karluk One Collection and held a conservation training workshop. • Added 15 pieces of contemporary art to the collection. • Cataloged the museum’s library. Fisherman – doll dressed in fi shskin clothing by June Simeonoff Pardue

Cillqat qiungaut. – The fireweed are in bloom. 6 THE ALUTIIQ MUSEUM BULLETIN IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY:

Complete And Return This Membership Form Today!

Name: Alutiiq Museum Mailing Address: City, State, Zip: Archaeological Repository E-mail: 215 Mission Road, Suite 101 Kodiak, Alaska 99615 CONTRIBUTION LEVELS: Phone: 907-486-7004 Fax: 907-486-7048 ❏ Nillqitaaq – Mallard ...... $10 Individual admission (For Students & Seniors) email: [email protected] ❏ Niklliq – Red Salmon ...... $25 Individual admission www.alutiiqmuseum.org ❏ Kum’agyak – Eagle ...... $40 Admission for family members ❏ Isuwig – Seal ...... $100 Admission for family members & guests Please make checks or money orders payable ❏ Taquka’aq – Grizzly ...... $250 Same as Isuwig plus gift from Museum Store (in US Dollars) to the Alutiiq Museum. ❏ Arhnaq – Sea Otter ...... $500 Same as Taquka’aq plus gift from Museum Store Donations to the Alutiiq Museum are tax deductible. ❏ Arlluk – Orca ...... $5000+ Membership for employees and/or shareholders

7 PRST STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ANCHORAGE, AK Alutiiq Museum Permit No. 630 Archaeological Repository ALUTIIQ HERITAGE FOUNDATION 215 Mission Road, Suite 101 Kodiak, Alaska 99615 Phone: 907-486-7004 Fax: 907-486-7048 email: [email protected]

www.alutiiqmuseum.org

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