Walking the Unangax̂ Islands

We hope this website will host stories and information about our Aleutian Communities beyond what can be contained on the walking panels. If you would like to make a contribution about your community or region, please email: education@aleutians.org

Contributions by Michael Livingston

The Petrified Forest - Unga Island

About 4 miles of Unga Island northwest coast is covered in the remains of an ancient forest of sequoia or metasequoia trees. The trees date to the Tertiary geologic period (66 to 2.6 million years ago) and were preserved in their current petrified state by volcanic activity. A concerted effort was made in the late 1960’s and early 70’s to protect the forest from extraction and commercial enterprises. The preservation efforts spearheaded by Andrew Gronholdt resulted in the forest’s formal protection and inclusion in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

1970 Special Report on the Forest

First Contact between Unangax̂ and Europeans - Shumagin Islands

Unangax̂ people have lived in the group of islands now known as the Shumagin Islands for thousands of years.  On September 4, 1741, sailors on board the Saint Peter dropped anchor near Bird Island, and two brave Unangax̂ men in their iqyax̂ (skin-on-frame sea kayaks) paddled out to greet them.  The European men had been on the ship for months without fresh food or water, and they were dying from scurvy.  German medical doctor Georg Steller had been telling Danish Captain Commander Vitus Bering that the crew needed fresh food and fresh water.  Sailor Nikita Shumagin died and was buried on Nagai Island.  The Unangax̂ people tried to encourage the Europeans to eat fresh food, drink fresh water, and visit them in their Unangam Ulaa (traditional sod houses), but the European men were anxious to return to Russia.  A few weeks later, they shipwrecked on Bering Island.  About 40 of the 80 European men perished, including Bering, mostly from scurvy.  If they had listened to the Unangax̂ people or to Steller, they might have survived.

Morzhovoi Village - Alaska Peninsula

Morzhovoi Village was located at the end of the Alaska Peninsula, roughly between False Pass and Cold Bay.  The Unangax̂ name was Unĝiĝaax̂ or Qaxatix̂, meaning “Slingshot.”  Ancient nicknames for the area include Suĝanan (handicraft workers) and Qagaadax̂ (Little assistant spirit or Mask).  The location provides views of Frosty Volcano to the northeast and Shishaldin Volcano to the southwest.  Resources abound from the sea, including salmon, halibut, seal, and whales; from the land, caribou, bear, wolves, and mink; and from the air, geese and ducks.