An Idea to Honor Ancestors
The Alutiiq Ancestors’ Memorial idea came from ongoing efforts in the Kodiak Native community to address historic and current issues surrounding ancestral remains and archaeological sites.
The Alutiiq Museum has worked on repatriations with local tribes since its inception, under the Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act (NAGPRA, 1990). Repatriation refers to the return of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony to their tribes of origin. Myths of vanishing races and discrimination against Native Americans led to numerous excavations in Kodiak and around the country, some with the goal of removing as many human remains as possible for scientific study. This work was done without the consent of Alutiiq communities.
“We followed…They were digging the graves looking for jewelry from dead people. What they had on their ears and their nose and stuff like that. They were asking…what part of the graveyard is a long time ago…” – Mary Peterson, Akhiok
Such treatment is no longer acceptable, and repatriations to Kodiak tribes are ongoing. But there are still issues with preservation and protection of Kodiak Alutiiq archaeological sites and their contents, including our ancestors remains. Site vandalism, illegal artifact trade, disrespectful treatment of ancestral remains, and misunderstandings about Native culture continue in the Kodiak region, throughout Alaska, and Native America. This memorial will help visitors understand the ethical and legal imperatives surrounding ancestral resources.
There is great potential to enhance the cultural landscape of the City of Kodiak with an Alutiiq Ancestors’ Memorial, and the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation is committed to developing this park to encourage positive cultural dialog and reflection for all of Kodiak’s residents and visitors.
Through this memorial, the Museum and the City of Kodiak (along with our supporters and partners) will honor Kodiak Island’s Alutiiq heritage and ancestry, and encourage all visitors to consider the contributions of the Alutiiq people to Kodiak’s heritage and promote cultural understanding.
June 2018 — Ground Breaking
On June 1, the Alutiiq Museum and the City of Kodiak launched construction of Ancestors’ Memorial Park, a new public park in downtown Kodiak. A groundbreaking ceremony celebrated development of this outdoor space honoring Kodiak’s Alutiiq people and promoting awareness of local history. Groundbreaking festivities included a park blessing, a performance by the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers, the Alaska Flag Song sung by the Alutiiq Language Club, brief remarks, and ceremonial shoveling.
July 2018 — Fundraising Update
Thanks to the overwhelming support of community members and organizations, we surpassed our initial goal of $179,000 at the groundbreaking ceremony on June 1st. The first set of bricks that were ordered before the end of June will be placed later this summer.
We are now entering Phase II of our fundraising campaign, where we will take additional brick orders from community members and businesses, in order to establish a maintenance fund for the Ancestors’ Memorial Park. This group of bricks will be ordered after Memorial Day 2019 and placed in the late summer/early fall of 2019.
To order your brick, stop by the museum or complete the form at the bottom of this page and provide payment via the link that comes up after you submit. Please note: You do not need to have a PayPal account in order to pay. Simply click on the pay with credit or debit card link.
September 2018 — Construction Update
Work has begun! Quyanaa to all of the individuals, organizations and businesses who have donated their time and resources to get construction going. Earlier this month, KSWCD came and sprayed for orange hawkweed, so that we could begin work without spreading this invasive plant. The lot has been grubbed and currently Belarde Custom Concrete is working on forming and pouring the concrete for the ring and pathways.
Meanwhile, the engraved pavers, benches and interpretive signage have arrived and the plants for the park wait patiently until they can be placed in the park. Stop by and have a look!
November 2018 — Construction Update
We have seen a lot of progress at Ancestors’ Memorial Park this fall. The walkway and memorial ring are complete, and the pavers are in the ground! Construction will continue with the installation of signs, benches, and a stairway. Landscaping and grass seeding is expected to happen soon, so if you come by to visit, please avoid walking off the pathway. Brick orders are still coming in, and we look forward to placing those in the walkway in the spring of 2019. If you are interested in having a brick in the park, contact us by phone or scroll to the bottom of this page for the order form.
We are tentatively planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for the spring, so be on the look out for more details to come.
December 2018 — Construction Complete!
We are pleased to announce that construction of Ancestors’ Memorial Park is complete. With only one additional feature to be added, we are expecting to have a Park Dedication in the Spring when the flowers and grass are in full bloom.
In the meantime, we are still accepting brick orders for bricks to be placed in 2019. If you did order a brick and haven’t been to visit the park yet, please consider a visit, and stop by the Alutiiq Museum while you’re downtown.
Spring 2019 — Clean UP
The Alutiiq Ancestors’ Memorial, Kodiak’s newest public park, is nearly complete and already welcoming visitors. On sunny days we see people enjoying lunch on one of the many benches around the memorial circle or stopping to read the park’s signs. Even on blustery days community members stop to view the pavement of bricks with memorial messages. The park is quickly becoming a well-known, well-used spot in downtown.
To help prepare the park for summer, and even more visitors, a group of museum staff members and community volunteers came together in April for a spring clean-up and planting party. Volunteers from ages three to sixty worked together to transplant rhododendrons and primroses, create raised beds for chives and rhubarb, and plant heirloom crocuses. In addition to landscaping, the cross-generational group raked and swept, watered and fertilized plants, and enjoyed some snacks.
The final step in park construction will occur in May with the installation of a memorial archway. Sponsored by Koniag, Inc., this wooden arch over the pathway will be covered with more than 1,200 metal cutouts of salmon, each representing the remains of an ancestor repatriated to Kodiak for reburial.
April Laktonen Counceller, who led development of the park, explains. “The salmon symbolize returning home and togetherness. They remind us of the importance of bringing our ancestors back to Kodiak and remembering those who came before us, individually and collectively.”
Park Dedicated
A soggy summer day did not dampen our spirits at the dedication of the Alutiiq Ancestors Memorial on Friday, June 14, 2019. Father Innocent offered a blessing, Margaret Roberts cut a ribbon on the new memorial archway, and the Alutiiq Dancers performed with joy. We see people using the park often, and know it will be a space for contemplation and education for many years to come.
Project Lead Partners:
