Alutiiq Subsistence

The sea provided food year-round for the Alutiiq. In the spring and summer months, the people fished for salmon and other fish. They caught cod, halibut, and flounder all year. The people also collected shellfish such as clams and mussels. Marine mammals were an important part of the Alutiiq diet. In spring and summer, they hunted fur seals, harbor seals, sea otters, porpoises, sea lions, and whales. 

The Alutiiq hunted marine mammals from kayaks, but they also used several other methods. Hunters would set out an inflated seal skin, hide behind a nearby rock, and imitate seal calls. When the seals came ashore, the hunter speared them. Up to a dozen seals could be caught in a day.

The timbered land also provided food. Alutiiq living near forests trapped and hunted large game, such as moose and caribou, and small game, such as hares, squirrels, and birds. They also ate a variety of roots, berries, and greens.

The wet climate made storing food difficult. But since they could get food with relative ease year-round, Alutiiq did not have to store as much food for the winter months as most other Alaskan Natives. They did split and dry some of the salmon caught in summer. They also stored oil from seals and whales for use all year.

Next Page

To navigate through the textbook, click on the next page button or go to the navigation menu on the top left.