A Summer Ledger From Sand Point, the Shumagins, and Aleutians East
Culture, school change, public projects, local businesses, safety notices, elections, and the people carrying this community through another summer.
Updated June 26, 2026 · Sand Point, Alaska
Sand Point harbor, Popof Island — the working waterfront that frames everything in this paper.Photo: contributed
Unangax̂ Daily
Word of the Day & History of the Week
Shumagin & Area History
1760s–1780s
Russian promyshlenniki push into the eastern Aleutians
The fur trade reaches the Shumagin and Alaska Peninsula.
Sand Point, Alaska — The Shumagin Current
Russian fur hunters moved eastward along the chain, relying on Unangax̂ men to hunt sea otters in skin boats.
The promyshlenniki, or Russian fur hunters, operated through a system of iasak, a tribute paid in furs. They did not colonize in the European sense of building farms and towns; they moved through the islands, extracting sea otter pelts and depending on Unangax̂ labor, food, and boat-building skill.
The labor was often coerced. Unangax̂ men were forced to hunt far from home, sometimes for years at a time. Women and children were held hostage to ensure compliance. The mortality from violence, overwork, and introduced disease was severe, and population estimates for the Aleutians dropped sharply during this period.
The Shumagin and Alaska Peninsula villages were pulled into the same system that stretched from Attu to Kodiak. Local families were separated, wealth was extracted, and the old balance between subsistence and trade was disrupted. The memory of this period remains strong in Unangax̂ oral history and community identity.
Why it matters today
The legacy of the fur trade is still visible in Russian place names, surnames, and Orthodox traditions. It is also remembered as the first of many outside economic systems that treated the region's people and resources as something to extract rather than sustain.
Sources: Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association, Aleutians East Borough, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska Historical Society, and the Alutiiq Museum.
Rooted Here: A Summer Ledger From Sand Point
Sand Point is more than a fishing port on a map.
It is an Unangâ homeland shaped by ocean knowledge, language, harvest, family, travel, ceremony, work, and the responsibilities people carry for one another. The history of the Shumagin Islands did not begin with a city charter, a company, or a government filing. It lives in the knowledge of tides and weather, in the ways people gathered food and traveled between communities, and in the families who have kept culture alive through change.
That history belongs at the front of this page because community news is not only announcements and meeting packets. It is culture camp, memorials, school activities, safe shellfish, working businesses, public projects, student travel, elections, family deadlines, and the everyday work of keeping a small community strong.
Aleut dancers in regalia — culture is taught here in motion, not just in books.Photo: Colten Mack
Culture Belongs in the Calendar
QTT Culture Camp: July 20–30
The Qagan Tayagungin Tribe’s 2026 Culture Camp is scheduled for July 20 through July 30 in Sand Point.
The camp includes hands-on learning across age groups, including bentwood hats, drums, weaving, regalia, beading, traditional foods, dance, language, model iquyak work, men’s headwear, mosaic fish art, and other cultural projects. Session times and registration details are listed in the Tribe’s official application.
A youth qayaq pulling out past the fleet — old skills launched from a modern harbor.Photo: Colten Mack
Food carries memory too. Smoked black cod, rice, butter, onion, celery, broth, and time around a shared table are part of the broader Gulf of Alaska food story. This recipe comes from an Alutiiq source and is credited as such — Alutiiq and Unangâ traditions are distinct and should not be blurred into a single label.
Neq'rkat · Wild Foods
Native Recipe of the Day
From the Alutiiq Museum Cookbook
Dandelion Salad
Saalalraq · Dandelion
Recipe courtesy Sara Squartsoff.
Ingredients
4 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled
2 cups chopped new dandelion leaves
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 tbsp chopped onion
Vinaigrette: ½ cup olive oil, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, ½ tsp dry mustard, 1 smashed garlic clove, fresh pepper
Instructions
Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a jar, shake well, and let sit at least an hour.
Toss the dandelion greens, onion, and bacon with the vinaigrette, then add the chopped eggs.
Serve at room temperature. Keeps up to a week refrigerated.
From Neq'rkat — The Wild Foods Cookbook (2013), Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository, Kodiak, Alaska. Read the full cookbook →
Public Health: Shellfish Safety Notice
Official source · QTT
Qagan Tayagungin Tribe reported that the June 3, 2026 Sand Point shellfish sample measured 84.4 micrograms of PSP toxin, above the 80-microgram threshold cited in the Tribe’s notice.
This is a specific sample result, not a blanket statement that all local shellfish are permanently unsafe. Levels change over time and between sites. Before harvesting or eating local shellfish, check the most recent QTT, APIA, and public-health notices for current sampling and any active advisories.
QTT shellfish advisory graphic posted with the June 3, 2026 Sand Point PSP result.Source image: Qagan Tayagungin Tribe
What’s Happening This Week
Fourth of July Week at Sand Point Tavern
Sand Point Tavern is hosting four nights of Fourth of July Week activities from July 1 through July 4.
Wed, July 1: Wii Games · Wear Red
Thu, July 2: Table Games & Dice · Wear White
Fri, July 3: Pool & Beer Pong Tournament with 1st & 2nd place prizes · Wear Blue
Sat, July 4: Relay Games & Musical Chairs · Most Festive wins cash
Doors open at 8 p.m. Wed/Thu and 9 p.m. Fri/Sat. Friday’s tournament begins at 10 p.m. starting with pool, then beer pong. Entry is $10/person, two-person teams, cash requested.
Community flyer for Sand Point Tavern’s Fourth of July week schedule.Source image: Sand Point Tavern
Community Safety
CPR / AED / First Aid Training
Tentative — RSVP Required
City of Sand Point EMS plans to host CPR, AED, and First Aid training. Tentative training dates are August 15 or August 29, depending on signups and what works best for participants.
City EMS training notice with RSVP contact details.Source image: City of Sand Point EMS
Local Business
Legendary Pizza Remains Open While Next Steps Are Worked Out
Legendary Pizza is still open for now.
The owner has said the business is not closing immediately while lease details, existing inventory, equipment, and the possibility of a trusted new operator are being worked through. The owner said they are looking for someone who may be able to take over and dedicate the time needed to keep the restaurant going.
Support local while the next steps are being figured out. Call ahead for current hours and availability: (907) 386-6133.
Small Craft Café Summer Hours
Beginning June 1, Small Craft Café’s summer schedule is:
Notices photographed on public bulletin boards around Sand Point. Sources listed on each flyer.
Pauloff Harbor Tribe · Fourth of July Weekend
Pauloff Harbor Tribe is hosting two days of open community events for the Fourth. Both are open to Sand Point residents.
Fri, July 3 — Basketball Tournament: 9th grade–adults, $20/person. Teams drawn 2 p.m. at the City Gym; games tip off 4 p.m. Planned 5-on-5 (3-on-3 fallback). Signup deadline is 2 p.m. on July 3. No refunds once teams are drawn. Contact Peyton Kuzakin or the Tribe at (907) 383-6075.
Sat, July 4 — Family Fun Celebration: Bike parade 1 p.m. from Toys Plus to the City Building, arena games for all ages inside the City Gym, and a 9th grade–adult marathon at 4 p.m. starting at the entrance of Sand Dollar.
Sand Point Elder Gathering · APIA
APIA’s Elder Program hosts a weekly gathering for crafts, trivia, and visiting every Wednesday, 1:30–3 p.m. at the QTT Community Center, 5005 Red Cove Road. For information contact Rebecca Newman, Rural Elder Liaison / Elder Care Services at (907) 422-1745.
Dock the Vote · Make a Plan Before You Leave the Harbor
If you’ll be on the water during the August primary, plan your ballot now. Alaska is a no-excuse absentee voting state.
Primary Election: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Voter registration deadline (primary): July 19, 2026
Absentee by-mail request deadline: August 8, 2026
Electronic absentee request deadline: August 17, 2026
Early & absentee in-person voting: Aug 3–17 (primary), Oct 19–Nov 2 (general)
Shumagin Corporation is accepting applications for a bartender at the Sand Point Tavern. Duties include drink and light food prep, daily reports (till counts, inventory, incidents), reconciling cash and credit card sales, and keeping the bar clean and orderly. Approximately 12–30 hours per week, working with the Aloha point-of-sale system under the direction of the Head Bartender/Manager.
Note: Native preference is desired. Posted June 30, 2026 · open until filled.
Small Craft Café · Signature Drink Menu
All signature drinks available as a Red Bull, lotus, or classic Italian soda. Call (907) 383-6500 to order.
Riptide — blue raspberry + green apple + pineapple
Ocean Blues — blue raspberry + coconut
Nerds Rope — dragon fruit + lime + cherry
Sunset — white peach + raspberry
Cherry Limeade — cherry + lime
POG — passionfruit + orange + guava
Tigers Blood — strawberry + coconut
Stove Oil Pickup Hours
Stove oil pickup is available Monday–Saturday, 2–5 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Small Craft Café menu page one.Source image: Small Craft Café
Small Craft Café menu page two.Source image: Small Craft Café
City Gym · Open Basketball Schedule
Schedule changes are posted to the City of Sand Point and Sand Point Community Events Facebook pages.
Monday–Friday
K–6th grade: 7:30–8:30 p.m.
7th grade–Adult: 8:30–10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday
K–6th grade: 6–7:30 p.m.
7th grade–Adult: 7:30–9:30 p.m.
For Sale · NHN Pavlof Avenue Duplex
Simpson Holland Real Estate · KW Alaska Group
NHN Pavlof Avenue, Sand Point (MLS #24-3643) — cash-flowing duplex on a knoll with water and mountain views. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths; newer roof with 100 mph shingles and newer Toyo heating and water heater. Can be run as a single-family home, kept as a duplex, or used for short-term housing.
Trident Seafoods · Sand Point Salmon: Did You Know?
Trident has operated in Sand Point since 1986, when it acquired the plant from Seawest Industries.
The Sand Point facility supports a local fleet of independently owned catcher vessels harvesting all five species of wild salmon.
The Orzinski Lake system, in the Northwest Stepovak Section of the Southeast District Mainland (SEDM), is the local Area M sockeye run.
Sand Point sits about 560 miles southwest of Anchorage near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula.
Trident Seafoods marks its 50th anniversary this year (1973–2023).
4th of July Fundraiser · Nintendo Switch 2 Raffle
Community Fundraiser
Grand prize: Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Deluxe Travel Case. Tickets $15 each or 2 for $25. Drawing held on July 4 — need not be present to win.
Contact Peyton Gundersen, Donovan Nielsen, or Payton Stroud for tickets.
City of Sand Point · FY2027 Operating Budget Adopted
City of Sand Point · Ordinance 2026-02
The Sand Point City Council adopted the FY2027 operating budget on second reading June 30, 2026. Signed by Mayor James Smith and attested by City Clerk Dylan Jacobsen.
Fund
Revenue
Expenditures
Change
General Fund
$2,069,800
$2,446,666
($376,866)
Bingo Fund
$378,984
$241,700
$137,284
Silver Salmon Fund
—
—
—
Clinic Fund
$581,620
—
$581,620
Water Sewer Fund
$249,740
$249,740
—
Harbor Fund
$616,100
$596,481
$19,619
Solid Waste Fund
$153,500
$108,990
$44,510
Total
$4,049,744
$3,643,577
$406,167
Notable: the General Fund runs a projected $376,866 deficit, offset by surpluses in the Bingo, Clinic, Harbor, and Solid Waste funds for a net city-wide balance of +$406,167.
Sand Point Water · 2026 Consumer Confidence Report
City of Sand Point Public Water System
The City has posted its 2026 Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Source: Humboldt Reservoir, Southeast Sand Point on Airport Road.
Protection area: approximately 5 square miles.
Source-water susceptibility: “Very High” (typical for all surface-water intakes).
Eastern Aleutian Tribes · Behavioral Health & Wellness
EAT’s Behavioral Health team is available for feelings of sadness, anxiety, family or substance issues, motivation, or anything else on your mind. Schedule through your local EAT clinic.
APIA’s Tribal Child Support Program (TCSP) serves members of the 13 Aleutian Pribilof Region federally recognized Tribes, any resident within the 10 regional communities, and APIA employees. Non-cash and subsistence contributions can be considered; hands-on, culturally sensitive case work; no interest charges.
Open Monday–Saturday, 12:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Closed Sundays. Currently accepting donations of small kitchen appliances, household items, and used clothing.
For Sale · Sand Point Apartment Buildings
FSBO · Local Owner
Harborview Apartments — $279,900 · 16 BR / 8 BA · 6,600 sqft · built 1979 (MLS 22-5157)
Ridgecrest Apartments — $479,900 · 14 BR / 9 BA · 10,200 sqft · built 1982 (MLS 22-5137)
Oceanview Apartments — $399,000 · 18 BR / 10 BA · 9,204 sqft · built 1979 (MLS 22-5158)
Well-maintained by local owner. No property tax. 2024 roof repairs, updated units, financing options available. Call (907) 386-6050 or (907) 561-3726 · FSBOsystemak.com
AEBSD Scholarship · 2026–2027 Academic Year
Aleutians East Borough School District
Scholarships open to all District graduates, regardless of current enrollment status. Applicants need not be currently enrolled in high school or post-secondary studies at the time of application. Awards support the 2026–2027 academic year.
Full-time or full-time equivalent enrollment required (12+ semester or 15+ quarter credits).
New and renewal applications require the AEBSD form, transcript, and a 300–500 word essay.
Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2026 by midnight (past — watch for the 2027–2028 posting).
Letters, student opportunities, school updates, youth achievements, travel, athletics, mentorship, and ideas meant to help young people from our communities build confidence and prepare for life beyond graduation.
Open Letter to StudentsBy Colten Mack · Sand Point, Alaska7 min read
A Letter to My Students: Trying Matters
It is not cool not to try.
In this open letter, Colten Mack writes directly to students about effort, discipline, basketball, fishing, education, sports travel, college preparation, and why the habits built now will follow them into every future goal.
The message is not that every student needs to choose college over fishing, trades, work, or coming home. The message is that every student deserves options—and that hard work, discipline, and preparation matter no matter which path they choose.
Student GrowthSchool & SportsFishing and Work EthicRural OpportunityCollege and Career Readiness
From Home
Personal letters and reflections from Colten Mack on family, education, community, work, growth, and building a future in rural Alaska.
Personal LetterBy Colten Mack · Sand Point, Alaska4 min read
A Letter to My Fiancé and Our Girl
Everything I am trying to build means more because of you two.
A personal note from Colten Mack to his fiancé and their daughter about family, fishing, fatherhood, culture, and building a home where both of them always feel loved, safe, and chosen.
Sand Point School: A Leadership Transition, Construction Work, and a New Year Ahead
School Leadership Transitions
School leadership updates — including the new Sand Point School principal, incoming elementary teacher, and AEBSD Activities Director — will be added here when AEBSD publishes the official appointments.
Leadership changes matter in a small school community. A principal is not only responsible for a building. They are part of student safety, family communication, staff support, travel decisions, school culture, discipline, graduation, weather calls, and the hundreds of details that shape a school year. The same is true for a new elementary teacher and Activities Director.
What the School Board Has Been Working On
In the March, April, and May School Board materials, the District approved the 2026–27 school-year calendar, adopted the FY27 budget, discussed future activity travel, considered purchase of 14-passenger vans, reviewed scholarship awards, and continued work on staffing, student opportunity, and major facility projects.
The District also continued balancing difficult financial pressures with student programming. Its public reports discuss enrollment pressure, health-insurance costs, Impact Aid uncertainty, grant work, local partnerships, and the ongoing cost of travel for rural activities.
Source: aebsd.org · Auto-checked every 2 weeks · Summaries by AI from the official packet text.
Student Opportunities Worth Noticing
Opportunity is bigger than the classroom. AEBSD students have access to APIA Health Camp, CPR and AED education, Native Youth Olympics, fisheries and career learning, Alaska Resource Education programming, AMSEA cold-water safety, Close Up travel, Student Government travel, culture activities, summer school, family days, and athletics and tournament travel.
In May, AEBSD recognized Kim Johansen with a Rising Tide Award. Earlier in the spring, the District also recognized Karen Ravenscroft with a Rising Tide Award.
Sand Point School Construction
Major maintenance is becoming visible.
Recent District and Borough reports show that Sand Point School’s major-maintenance project has included:
Installation of interior classroom doors
Replacement of wall panels in the elementary wing
Installation of student lockers
Locker-room tile work
Roof repairs
Pool-side siding repairs
Structural, mechanical, and electrical work
Continued punch-list and completion work
Planning for a separate future Sand Point School re-roof project
Construction has been a long process, but the changes are becoming visible. New doors, lockers, wall panels, roof work, locker-room improvements, and mechanical systems are not just cosmetic. They affect the daily safety, comfort, and pride students and staff feel inside the building.
Construction updates will be added when the Aleutians East Borough or the District publishes a dated status report.
Sand Point Pool Rebuild
A new pool is more than a recreation project.
The Borough-approved Sand Point pool rebuild includes:
Removing the existing liner
Testing and repairing main drain and suction lines as needed
Testing and repairing water supply lines as needed
Improving ventilation and air exchange
Insulating the pool area
Installing a fiberglass liner
Replacing the existing gutter track
Applying a new gelcoat finish
Restoring lane lines and depth markers
Installing handrails
Adding an ADA-accessible lift
The pool is not only a place to swim. It is a water-safety resource, a PE resource, an indoor activity space, a youth opportunity, and one of the few places people can gather and stay active through long stretches of weather. Reopening it safely matters to the whole community.
School Calendars
Approved Aleutians East Borough School District calendar for the 2026–27 school year.
Draft — Subject to District Revision
Draft activities schedule. Verify travel and tournament plans before booking flights, lodging, or time away from work.
School and Activities Dates to Circle
September 5: Cross Country at Unalaska
September 24: Cross Country Regionals in Sand Point
October 16–17: Sand Point wrestling and King Cove volleyball weekend
November 6–7: King Cove wrestling and Sand Point volleyball weekend
January 8–9, 2027: Girls basketball at King Cove and boys basketball at Sand Point
February 26–28, 2027: Aleutian Chain Conference basketball regionals
March 11–14, 2027: ASAA 1A State Basketball Tournament in Anchorage
City Hall & Civic Life
Sand Point City Council: Budgets, Infrastructure, Harbor Work, and EMS
The City of Sand Point is carrying multiple major issues at once: the FY27 budget, public safety, EMS recruitment, harbor projects, GCI infrastructure work, and the need to keep City services reliable.
The City’s proposed FY27 budget showed pressure on the General Fund, including increased administrative and police costs. City leaders are also working toward better financial reporting, clearer rate-setting decisions, grant opportunities, and longer-term planning around public infrastructure.
EMS and Public Safety
City EMS continues rebuilding local capacity through equipment work, records updates, recruitment, and training.
Two April medevacs were reported in the recent EMS update.
EMS staff have been working on outstanding run reports.
Equipment and gurney-battery needs were addressed.
Recruitment continues for ETTs and EMTs.
CPR / AED / First Aid training is tentatively planned for August.
GCI Infrastructure Work
GCI-related tower, fiber-route, lease, easement, and restoration work has been discussed in City Council materials. The City should continue to publish clear updates about construction routes, restoration responsibilities, public right-of-way impacts, and changes residents should expect.
Harbor and Community Infrastructure
Continued work around the Sand Point Harbor Float project includes punch-list items, safety ladders, water-pump planning, and broader harbor-maintenance needs.
King Cove from the water — the community at the center of the Izembek road debate.Photo: Colten Mack
The Shumagin Current supports completion of the King Cove Road.
For King Cove residents, this is not an abstract road debate. It is about reaching Cold Bay’s all-weather runway during a medical emergency, when weather, wind, visibility, sea conditions, and small-aircraft limits can decide whether someone gets help in time.
Rural Alaskans should not be asked to accept a lower standard of emergency access than people living on the road system. The road should be built carefully, responsibly, and with real attention to wildlife, subsistence, wetlands, and the surrounding refuge. But those responsibilities should guide construction — not be used as a reason to keep King Cove waiting forever.
The project still faces permitting and litigation steps. The Shumagin Current will publish every major official filing, court development, permit decision, and construction update. But our position is clear: emergency access between King Cove and Cold Bay is worth finishing.
The next Aleutians East Borough election is October 6, 2026.
Candidate filing: August 24 through September 4
Early and absentee voting begins: September 21
Election Day: October 6
The City of Sand Point has seats expiring in 2026, including Mayor, City Council Seat B, and City Council Seat D.
Candidate Filings & Ballot Updates
Official candidate filings will appear here once published by the City of Sand Point and Aleutians East Borough.
State and Federal Elections
Alaska Primary Election: August 18, 2026
Alaska General Election: November 3, 2026
What Candidates Say They Stand For
Equal-length, source-linked snapshots. No endorsements. No memes, rumors, or unsupported social-media claims.
Candidate-stated priorities
Mary Peltola — U.S. Senate candidate
Her campaign emphasizes Alaska fisheries, affordability, congressional term limits, and what she calls putting “fish, family, and freedom” first. Her campaign links fisheries policy and rural cost-of-living issues directly to the survival of Alaska communities.
Senator Sullivan’s public office work focuses on Alaska fisheries policy, military and Coast Guard presence, energy and resource development, and rural infrastructure. His 2026 campaign priorities will be posted here in the same length as the Peltola card once a current 2026 campaign or official statement page is verified.
The Sand Point Silver Salmon Derby has long been a recognizable Labor Day weekend tradition, bringing people together around coho season, fishing, prizes, and late-summer community energy.
The Shumagin Current will publish 2026 derby details only when an organizer confirms the event date, registration details, fishing boundaries, prizes, weigh-in location, and official rules.
A Sand Point man pleaded guilty in May to felony drug and assault charges connected to a 2025 harbor confrontation. Reported court information said the plea agreement included three years to serve. Read the original Alaska’s News Source report for the complete court account.
Alaska Native Medical Center — ANTHC 2025 Annual Report
Summary of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's FY25 report (fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025).
Leadership & governance. Natasha Singh was named permanent President/CEO in March 2025 after 10 months as interim. Board Chair Kimberley Strong reports the Board — with seats from every region of the Alaska Tribal Health System — focused on strengthening Tribal self-governance, capital planning, and workforce development.
Pursuing ANMC ownership. A central FY25 priority is moving toward ANTHC ownership of the Alaska Native Medical Center hospital from the federal government — framed as the next step in Tribal self-determination.
Care by the numbers. 8,033 inpatient discharges at ANMC, with continued investment in facilities, sterile processing, and the new Mediset pharmacy program that pre-packages discharge medications by day and time.
Statewide wellness. CHAP nationalization advanced with IHS and partner tribal health orgs, expanding the Community, Behavioral, and Dental Health Aide models beyond Alaska. A new Injury Atlas (deaths, hospitalizations, poisoning & suicide supplement) was published to guide prevention.
Water, sanitation & infrastructure. The Division of Environmental Health & Engineering (DEHE) kept expanding rural water and sanitation access and supports communities long-term through DRUMS (Department of Rural Utility Management Systems) and the Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative. DEHE is relocating to 2525 C Street in Midtown Anchorage to free clinical growth space on the Alaska Native Health Campus.
Financial posture. ANTHC reports continued financial stabilization heading into FY26 to fund the next round of facility, equipment, and staffing investments prioritized by the Board.
Source: ANTHC 2025 Annual Report (published Dec 2025).
A plain-English digest of the Aleut Corporation's Summer 2026 shareholder newsletter: distributions, the October Annual Meeting in Bellevue, summer community travel through Sand Point, King Cove, False Pass, Cold Bay, and Nelson Lagoon, and updates from the Ulakaia Center and subsidiaries.
2026 Annual Distribution
$10 per share annual distribution plus a $1,000 Elder Benefit for voting shareholders 60+. Distributions issue through the Settlement Trust in July and are tax-free. The at-large / village distribution of $16.34 per share was paid May 22; the Elder Benefit pays October 3.
54th Annual Meeting · Bellevue, WA
Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Bellevue. Every three years Aleut holds the meeting in the Seattle area, where more than 25% of shareholders live. Livestream option will be available. Q&A panel with leadership and the Board returns with refinements based on last year's feedback.
Proxy Calendar
Aug 18 date of record · Aug 28 online proxy voting opens · early September proxies mailed · Sept 23 early-bird deadline · Sept 25 early-bird winners announced · Oct 14 proxy deadline. $40,000 total in 50 prizes.
Summer Community Travel
Shareholder informational meetings: June 22–30 Unalaska, Atka, Nikolski, Akutan, St. George · July 11–19 Sand Point, King Cove, False Pass, Cold Bay, Nelson Lagoon · July 25–28 St. Paul.
Ulakaia Center · $6.5M in shareholder benefits
In fiscal year 2026 the Ulakaia Center distributed more than $6.5 million in scholarships, training, and cultural programs. Aleut also reports the highest shareholder count in corporate history, raising the importance of education and workforce investment for the next generation.
Adak · Arctic strategic interest
Recent federal commitments and private-sector agreements have increased national attention on Adak, which sits 1,100 miles closer to Asia than Hawaii. Aleut is positioning for opportunities tied to Arctic security, national defense, and global connectivity while pursuing community benefits.
2026 Featured Artist · Danielle Larsen
Danielle Larsen named Aleut's 2026 Unangax̂ Artist of the Year. Her work centers regional landscapes, wildlife, and cultural connection across communities.
Sergie and the White Seal
Garrett Iĝayux̂ Pletnikoff and Hannah Atsaq Zimmerman of Tukuuludaa are reclaiming the Unangan "White Seal" story with a new illustrated book, available to order through the newsletter QR link.
New subsidiary · Aleut Environmental Consulting
Aleut introduced Aleut Environmental Consulting under General Manager Jennifer Anderson, expanding the corporation's subsidiary portfolio alongside Aleut Federal, Strata-G, Aleut Mechanical, Aleut Ventures, Aleut Real Estate, and Aleut Energy.
Call for recipes & stories
This year's Annual Report theme is "At the Table." Shareholders are invited to submit family recipes (traditional or modern) with a memory and photos for a future Aleut cookbook.
Source: aleutcorp.com · Summer 2026 issue of The Aleutian Current. Summary by The Shumagin Current editorial.
Scholarships, vocational training, cultural programs, and student support for Unangax̂ shareholders and descendants. All scholarship deadlines close at 12 noon Alaska time.
Important Dates · Summer 2026
Jun 1 – Jul 8, 2026Cash for Good Grades · application period
Jun 1 – Jul 31, 2026General Scholarship · Fall 2026 application period
Jun 1 – Jul 31, 2026Dave Nevzuroff Special Honors Scholarship · Fall 2026
Scholarships for higher education, vocational training, and career advancement. Vocational maximum award recently raised from $4,000 to $6,000; career development awards also increased.
Cultural Programs
Grants to attend cultural gatherings and culture camp, support for Unangam Tunuu language learning, and funding to help sustain cultural traditions across Unangax̂ communities.
Support Services
Educational tool support including funding for electronics and software so shareholders and descendants have what they need to succeed in school.
Now under Aleut Corporation
As of October 2024, the former Aleut Foundation operates as the Ulakaia Center under Aleut, unifying shareholder and descendant services and expanding program capacity over time.
Source: ulakaia.com · Ulakaia Center, 2550 Denali Street Suite 1050, Anchorage AK 99503 · 907-646-1929 · ulakaia@aleutcorp.com. Summary by The Shumagin Current editorial.
Services and support for Unangax̂ people across the Aleutian and Pribilof region. Scholarship and assistance contacts: culturecamp@apiai.org · (907) 276-2700.
Awards for tribally enrolled students in good academic standing at an accredited college or university. Includes financial aid, career counseling, and travel assistance for students living in the region. Requires FAFSA.
Current shareholder notices, education opportunities, community travel notices, and cultural programs will appear here when they carry current verified dates.
The Arctic Indigenous Exchange Program brings Indigenous community members, leaders, and professionals from Alaska, Canada, and Greenland together for learning, travel, workshops, and cooperation around Arctic issues.
Canada exchange: September–November 2026 · Applications open
Alaska exchange: January–March 2027 · Applications expected to open November 2026
For Indigenous participants age 30+ able to travel internationally and commit to virtual meetings.
AIEP flyer with current exchange windows and application timing.Source image: Institute of the North
UNA 121 — Introduction to Unangam Tunuu (Eastern Dialect)
A 3-credit introductory Unangam Tunuu course offered through Iḷisaġvik College's Bering Sea Campus, prioritizing Pribilof Island culture and language notes. Satisfies the Iḷisaġvik humanities general-education requirement.
Term: Aug 17 – Nov 28, 2026
Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays · 10–11:30 a.m.
Format: Online or in-person at the Bering Sea Campus
By the end, students can introduce themselves, talk about family, ask how someone is doing, discuss where they are from and living, and describe what they and others are doing.
UNA 121 course flyer — Iḷisaġvik College, Bering Sea Campus.Source image: Iḷisaġvik College
Other Local Tribal Governments and Organizations
Source cards. Specific notices, events, or deadlines are published only when current and linked to a verified source.
· Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove
· Native Village of Unga
· Native Village of Belkofski
· Native Village of False Pass
· Pauloff Harbor Tribe
· Eastern Aleutian Tribes
· The Aleut Foundation
· Aleut Corporation
· APIA
· Qagan Tayagungin Tribe
Local Aleut Artists
A low-cost place for local Aleut artists and makers to share their work with the people who follow The Current. $10 per week. To feature your art, contact Colten Mack at 907-365-9976 or colten.mack@gmail.com.
Ad Slot 1 · Available
Your Art Here
$10 / week. One photo, one caption, one link. Reaches readers in Sand Point and across Area M.
