Chenega Language &
Culture Preservation Program

With a steady decline in the number of Alaska Natives who can speak the Sugcestun Language and the realization that the culture and traditions of the Chenega People needed to be more readily passed on, it was agreed that a purposeful plan be developed by the corporation to teach future generations the language and traditions of their elders. In 2004, the Chenega Corporation Board launched the Chenega Sugcestun Language and Culture Preservation Project. A committee of Chenega Elders and shareholder youth was formed, engaging in a strategic planning process to develop a mission, vision and values with goals and action plans to achieve them.
Four primary goals were identified:

  • Record Elders knowledge of Sugcestun language and culture heritage.
  • Create opportunities to revitalize and reinstate Alutiiq cultural practices of religion, subsistence, education and community values.
  • Establish project guidelines, operating and administrative support.
  • Reintroduce a Sugcestun Language & Culture Preservation Program in the Chenega Bay School.


    Posters

Click on any of the posters above to see a larger version.

Three initial projects were identified to support the goals:  A book compiling the personal recollections of the 1964 Good Friday earthquake and tsunamis and two different posters  and DVDs depicting how numbers and the names of fish and wildlife were spoken in the  Sugcestun native language. John Smelcer, PhD became involved to direct the language preservation efforts. Dr. Smelcer has been dedicated to education and Alaska Native culture preservation for many years as an anthropologist, linguist, poet and writer.

Since then, much progress has been made.  In 2006, The Day That Cries Forever was published, a compilation of stories told by survivors of the 1964 earthquake and tsunamis recalling their memories of that day. Copies were mailed to all Chenega shareholders and descendants. The book received much national claim and recognition. Later in the Spring, the first of the new Sugcestun poster series were printed, “How to Count to Ten”, “How to Count from Eleven to Twenty” and “Land Animal Names.” In 2007 two more posters were created including “Sea Creatures” and “Birds.” And in 2008 “Things in the Kitchen” and Clothing and Jewelry” will be released.

Future projects include a book and DVD of narratives and photographs documenting native stories and subsistence living in Prince William Sound.  As part of this effort, work is currently underway to collect stories, myths, memories, recipes, photographs and illustrations pertaining to the Chenega traditional subsistence lifestyle.  Additionally, an archeological survey is being carried out to uncover and preserve artifacts on Chenega Island.  Grant funding has been procured to support many of these initiatives in addition to the financial support provided by Chenega Corporation.  

For information on the committee’s initiatives or to contribute materials, please contact Patricia Andrews, Manager of Shareholder Services at (907) 277-5700, or e-mail at shareholderservices@chenega.com.