RECONNECTING
WITH THE PAST
AT FIRST, Qanirtuuq chairperson Grace Hill
opposed the excavation at Nunalleq because
Yup’ik tradition says ancestors shouldn’t be
disturbed. She came to see the dig as a way to
preserve Yup’ik culture and language. “I’m hoping
this will get the kids interested in their past,”
she says. As artifacts were recovered from the
site, Yup’ik people from the wider area around
Quinhagak were able to see them close-up at the
new culture and archaeology center. Artists also
hold workshops there to demonstrate traditional
arts and crafts, including mask making, hide
sewing, drumming, and dance.HERITAGE AND HISTORY. AFTER THE END OF EACH ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG SEASON,
YUP’IK LOCALS VIEW THE LATEST FINDS FROM THE NUNALLEQ SITE.PHOTOGRAPHED NEARLY A CENTURY AGO, AN IMAGE (LEFT) OF
A GROUP OF YUP’IK LOCALS HANGS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER
IN BETHEL, ALASKA, ON THE YUKON DELTA.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/GETTY IMAGESERIKA LARSEN/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAGE COLLECTION