PO BOX 391
CORDOVA, ALASKA
907.424.6665
CHUGACH
The Chugach traditionally occupied Prince William Sound in the area west of present-day Cordova. The Chugach Eskimos comprised eight geographic groups within the sound. The groups spoke Alutiiq, a Yupik language dialect also called Suqcestun, and shared the same culture. Each of the eight groups was politically independent, with its own leader and principal village. The Chugach and had close cultural affinities to populations in the Kodiak Archipelago and the southern Kenai Peninsula. Russian fur traders brought hunters from the Kodiak Archipelago and the Aleutian Islands to Prince William Sound to hunt sea otters in the early historic period. Although there was friction between the Kodiak and Aleutian Island hunters and the Chugach, the groups intermarried. Russians extended the term “Aleut” to include any Pacific Eskimo group including the Chugach. Even today, many Chugach often refer to themselves as Aleuts, leading to confusion regarding language relationships.
The Chugach primarily exploited fish and sea mammals. Seals and sea lions were taken throughout the year, although spring was the most favored time. Whales and sea otters were taken whenever possible. The Chugach caught halibut and cod in the spring, herring in June, and salmon during summer. From the land, the Chugach hunted mountain goats and deer, collected plants and berries. The Chugach also harvested shellfish. The Chugach lived in wood plank and semi-subterranean houses.
The Chugach obtained European trade goods such as glass beads and iron from other Native groups before they had direct contact with Europeans. Once direct contact was established the Chugach were eager to trade for more of these items. Regular contact between the Chugach and Europeans was established in 1791 when the Russians set up a permanent Russian trading post, called Nuchek, on Hinchinbrook Island. The primary motivation for the Russian presence was the acquistion of furs – especially sea otter, for the thriving markets in Asia and Europe. Bnuchek became the focus for this trade, not only with the Chugach, but also with the Tlingit to the southeast, and the Ahtna and Eyak of the Copper River area. The Russians forced local inhabitants of the Sound and elsewhere to work as hunters. Native males between the ages of 18 and 50 were required to work for the Russian American Company for three years. Women and men were alo required to dry fish and gather materials needed by the company.
