Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak

Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak
Kodiak coast
Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak
Coordinates: 57°47′16″N 152°24′23″W / 57.78778°N 152.40639°W / 57.78778; -152.40639
Constitution RatifiedOctober 4, 1988 (1988-10-04)
CapitalKodiak, Alaska
Government
 • TypeRepresentative democracy
 • BodySun'aq Tribal Council
 • ChairpersonChristopher Pruitt
Population
 • Estimate 
1,738
DemonymKoniag Alutiiq
Time zoneUTC–09:00 (AKST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC–08:00 (AKDT)
Websitesunaq.org

The Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak is a federally recognized Alaska Native tribe[2] and one of 10 Alutiiq tribes.[3] This Alaska Native tribe is headquartered in Kodiak, Alaska.[2]

They were formerly known as the Shoonaq' Tribe of Kodiak.[4]

Government

The Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak is led by a democratically elected tribal council, and its chairperson is Christopher Pruitt.[2] JJ Marsh is the executive director of tribe.[3] The Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs serves the tribe.[2] The tribe ratified its constitution on October 4, 1988.[5] [4] Sun'aq Tribe has 1,738 enrolled citizens.[1]

The tribe is a member of the National Congress of American Indians.[6]

Territory

The Su'naq Tribe's land close to Kodiak, Alaska, on Kodiak Island on the Gulf of Alaska.[7] The community is accessible by plane via Kodiak Airport and boat.[7]

Economy

Fishing and fish processing is central to the tribe's economic development, and it owns Kodiak Island WildSource.[3] The tribe is affiliated with Koniag, Incorporated,[7] an Alaska Native corporation.

Language and culture

The Sun'aq Tribe speaks English and the Alutiiq language. They are teaching Alutiiq to children at a tribal program at St. Mary's School.[3]

Climate change

Alaska Natives are already feeling the effects of climate change from increased fires, harsher storms, melting permafrost, erosion along the coasts, and weather patterns shifting. To address these threats, in 2006, 162 Alaska Native tribes, including the Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak, and corporations working with the Native American Rights Fund, signed a Climate Change resolution calling upon Congress to pass laws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak". tribeAct. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d "Tribal Leaders Directory". Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak". First National Bank Alaska. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak". National Indian Law Library. Native American Rights Fund. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  5. ^ "US Tribal Constitutions–Alaska". Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Tribal Directory". National Congress of American Indians. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak". Alaska Handbook. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Climate Change Resolutions". Tribal Law Gateway. National Indian Law Library. Retrieved 20 January 2026.