Chugach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chugach
Sugpiaq

Chugach man in traditional dress
Regions with significant populations
United States (Alaska)	12,113
Languages
Alutiiq (Also known as Sugt'stun) (Chugach dialect), English
Related ethnic groups
Koniag Alutiiq, Yup'ik

The Chugach people are a group of Alaska Native people. They live along the southern coast of Alaska. You can find them in the areas of the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound.

The Chugach are part of the Alutiiq people. They speak the Chugach dialect of the Alutiiq language. This language is also called Sugt'stun.

Understanding the Name Chugach

The Chugach people call themselves Sugpiaq. This name comes from two words. Suk means "person" and -piaq means "real." So, it means "real person."

The name Alutiiq came from the Russian language. It was their word for the Aleut people. Some older names for the Chugach are not used anymore. These names are considered disrespectful.

Where the Chugach Live

The Chugach people live in several villages. These villages are found in their traditional lands. Some of their villages include Chenega Bay, Eyak, Nanwalek (also known as English Bay), Port Graham, and Tatitlek.

A Look at Chugach History

A Chugach woven spruce-root hat. It has dentalium shells and trade beads.

This is a type of armor made from hardened leather. It is strengthened with wood and bones. People like the Chugach used it.

This is a type of armor called lamellar armor. It was worn by native peoples in Siberia.

The Chugach people have lived in the Prince William Sound area for thousands of years. This is known from old archaeological discoveries. They were the first native Alaskans to meet a Russian explorer. This happened in 1741 with Vitus Bering.

After the Russians, other explorers came. These included Spanish, English, and American visitors. The Chugach sometimes traded with their neighbors. They also sometimes fought with groups like the Eyak, Ahtna, and Tlingit.

In 1964, a huge tsunami hit the Chugach village of Chenega, Alaska. This giant wave was caused by the Good Friday earthquake. The village was completely destroyed.

The Chugach economy relies a lot on fishing. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil spill caused a lot of damage. This oil spill harmed the environment. It also badly affected the Chugach fishing economy.

The Chugach Language

The Chugach people speak a dialect of the Pacific Gulf Yupik language. The other main dialect is Koniag. These languages are part of the larger Alaskan Yupik language family.

Long ago, the Chugach language was written using the Cyrillic alphabet. This is the alphabet used in Russia. Today, the language is written using the Latin alphabet. This is the alphabet we use for English.

Chugach Namesakes

The Chugach people have given their name to several important places. These places are in or near their traditional lands. The Chugach National Forest is named after them. So are the Chugach Mountains. Alaska's Chugach State Park also carries their name.

The Chugach Alaska Corporation is also named after them. This is an Alaska Native regional corporation. It was created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. Many Chugach people are owners of this corporation.