Kodiak Alutiiq Sugpiaq Repatriation Commission

"Repatriation is unfinished business. It’s something we have a moral obligation to do. It’s not the most critical issue facing our people, but its not an either or. Since there was such a violation against our people it needs to be taken care of."

Dr. Gordon Pullar – Woody Island Tribal Council

The Commission: Formed in 2007, the Kodiak Alutiiq / Sugpiaq Repatriation Commission works to bring ancestral Alutiiq remains and objects home and protect Alutiiq grave sites. Through the Native American Graves Protect and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and with assistance from the Alutiiq Museum, the commission maintains a database of Kodiak Alutiiq collections, conducts collections research, assists with repatriation claims, and sets general repatriation policy for the Kodiak Alutiiq community. Commission members represent Kodiak's tribal organizations and Native corporations.

The Database: The Kodiak Alutiiq / Sugpiaq Materials Database is a list of Alutiiq collections in Amerian museums. Maintained by the Alutiiq Museum for the island-wide repatriation commission, the database facilitates repatriation research. Alutiiq organizations wishing to access the database, or provide information for it, may contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (907-486-7004, x24). Production of the database was funded by a grant from the National Park Service NAGPRA program.

Commissioners Touring the Alutiiq Museum

Commissioners

Afognak Native Corporation - Ruth Dawson
Native Village of Afognak - Pat Kozak, Vera Benedek (alternate)
Native Village of Akhiok - Mitch Simeonoff, Linda Amodo (alternate)
Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc. - Fred Coyle
Anton Larsen, Inc. - open seat
Ayakulik, Inc. - Carolyn Nixon
Bell Flats Natives, Inc. - open seat
Kaguyak Village - Phyllis Amodo
Native Village of Karluk - Catherine Reft
Natives of Kodiak, Inc. - Donene Tweten, Pat Heitman (alternate)
Koniag, Inc. - open seat
Native Village of Larsen Bay - Alice Aga
Leisnoi, Inc. - open seat
Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Is.)- Gordon Pullar, Margaret Roberts (alternate)
Litnik, Inc. - open seat
Old Harbor Native Corporation - Melissa Berns
Native Village of Old Harbor - Stella Krumrey, Phyllis Clough (alternate)
Ouzinkie Native Corporation - Nick Pestrikoff, Sr.
Native Village of Ouzinkie - Alex Ambrosia
Native Village of Port Lions - Julie Kaiser, Sara Squartsoff (alternate)
Shuyak, Inc. - open seat
Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak - Olga M. Malutin
Uganik Natives, Inc. - Donene Tweten
Uyak, Inc. - Gabriel McKilly

Allison McLain (r) studies Aleutian Island Collections

Commission Assistants

Regional Repatriation Coordinator - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Alutiiq Museum
NAGPRA Specialitst - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Federal Advisor & Funder - National Park Service NAGPRA Program

Working Documents: The Kodiak Alutiiq / Sugpiaq repatriation commission is currently developing repatriation policies for the Kodiak archipelago. The documents below are draft copies of letters and resolutions needed by the organizations participating in this process. There is also a copy of the commisions proposed manual, currently under review by Kodiak's tribes and Alutiiq corporations. For assistance in completing documents or adopting the manual, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (907-486-7004, x24).