Alutiiq

The Alutiiq (plural Alutiit), also called Sugpiaq, are the Native people of Kodiak Island and nearby coasts of southern Alaska. Alutiiq is the Native way of saying Aleut, and each person may prefer a different self-designation.[1]

Names

Kodiak’s Native people use several self-designators, including Alutiiq, Sugpiaq and Aleut. Sugpiaq is the oldest name and means real person in the language. The word Aleut was applied by Russian traders to many distinct Native groups, which later caused confusion. Alutiiq gained popularity in the 1980s and reflects the region’s Russian and Native history.[1]

Region

Kodiak Island is the core homeland, settled by the ancestors of the Alutiit, and Sugpiaq is also a popular term on the Kenai Peninsula. Karluk is one community with Alutiiq residents.[1]

Classification

Anthropologists group the Alutiiq with the Yup’ik and Iñupiaq as Eskimo cultures of the Arctic, though many people find the term Eskimo offensive.[1]

FAQs

Who are the Alutiiq? The Native people of Kodiak Island and nearby coasts.

What does Sugpiaq mean? Real person.

Is Alutiiq the same as Aleut? Alutiiq is the Native form of the word Aleut, but names vary by person.

Sources

1. Alutiiq Museum: Who Are the Alutiiq?

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 13, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue