The Alutiiq people traditionally passed on knowledge about their heritage and everyday life through dance and song. Wearing bentwood hats, masks, beaded headdresses and clothing, dancers performed for their community, telling stories of men hunting, parents teaching children, women being courted, the tribe’s wish for fair weather, and other lighthearted topics, such as thanks for new labrets (facial adornments worn by both men and women).

The Sun’aq Tribal Dancers, our current troupe of dancers, who range from toddlers to adults, have been performing since 1987, enthusiastically bringing to life our traditional songs and dances. Dancers practice two times a week in the afternoon and perform in the island’s villages during Alutiiq Week. They also give performances for tourists in downtown Kodiak and at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage during the summer. The traditional regalia, which they wear during performances, is the creation of tribal members.

The Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers have been invited to travel to the following locations:

March 2011 – Tyonek Native Corporation meeting, Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.

May 2011 – Intertribal Pow Wow in Hawaii

July 21-24, 2011 50th Anniversary, World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in Fairbanks

Anyone who would like to join the Alutiiq Dancers are encouraged to call Patricia Abston-Cox at 907-486-4449.

We welcome any Alaska Native who would like to become part of our dance troupe and invite all to come see us perform in person or on video tape (available for a fee from the tribal office).