Aleuts

The Aleuts are a special group of people who have lived on the Aleutian Islands for thousands of years. These islands stretch between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. Aleuts also call themselves Unangax̂ in their own language, Unangam Tunuu.

Today, Aleuts live in both the United States and Russia. In the U.S., they are mainly in Alaska, where there are 13 groups officially recognized by the government. In Russia, they live in a region called Kamchatka Krai.

Aleut people have a rich culture and history. They have kept many of their traditions alive despite big changes over time. They are great hunters and fishers, and they build special underground homes called barabara to stay warm and safe. Their artists make beautiful carvings and masks, often showing animals like seals and whales.

Learning about the Aleuts helps us understand the diverse cultures that make up our world. They speak the Aleut language, which is part of the Eskaleut language family, though only a few people speak it today. The Aleuts have many interesting stories and traditions that continue to be shared and celebrated.