Resources

Before Bristol Bay – The Before Bristol Bay storybook gives readers an understanding of what original names did, how they were lost, and why it’s important to preserve and use them. Illustrated with beautiful pictures of the Bristol Bay region, the storybook details how the Native place names of the Bristol Bay region were replaced by Russian and English names and how BBNC and others are working to bring back and preserve the original Yup’ik, Dena’ina and Alutiiq place names in the region.

Language

Download the Yugtun App to learn the language of the Yup’ik People! Find it on the Apple Store or Google Play.

Download the CHILD App to learn Alutiiq, (Sugt’stun), Dena’ina, and Lake Iliamna Yup’ik Apple Store or Google Play.

Funding Resources There are many foundations and groups that fund cultural heritage and Native place names projects.

Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation grants 

Other grants or organizations that may support place names projects

Alaska Humanities Forum awards grants and mini-grants to non-profits, individuals and ad hoc organizations.

Funding Tips – We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to consider as you design your project and look for funding.

Getting Started – Examples of recent Native place names projects in Bristol Bay.

Talking Alaska Blog (UAF) – Reflections on Alaska Native languages and place names

Publications

Iliamna Lake ethnogeography: Yup’ik place names and sense of place (UAF) – Reflections on Alaska Native languages and place names

Iliamna Lake Nanvarpak Ethnogeography: Yup’ik and Contemporary Place Names and Stories of these Places (UAF) – Reflections on Alaska Native languages and place names

Nanvarpagmiut Qanemciit-llu Iliamna Lake People and Their Stories: Place Names and Sense of Place (UAF) – Reflections on Alaska Native languages and place names

Community Voices, Practices, and Memories in Environmental Communication: Iliamna Lake Yup’ik Place Names, Alaska (UAF) – Reflections on Alaska Native languages and place names

GLOBAL PLACE NAME PROJECTS