
Mapping Qacimak, September 11, 2020
Bunnell Street Arts Center’s ongoing focus on land acknowledgment aims to cultivate knowledge and respect for Alaska’s living cultures. Located in a historic trading post (est. 1937), a critical agent in settler colonization of this area, Bunnell today provides time and space for Indigenous artists from near and far to connect with the land, collect lost words, and strengthen communities as they compose and share art, stories to shape equitable futures. Bunnell’s land acknowledgment work in 2020 is supported by a Community Grant from National Performance Network and a Social Justice Grant from Alaska Community Foundation.
Bretwood “Hig” Higman is geologist with GIS and data visualization experience who has created a map of the area around Kachemak Bay. with Sugt’estun / Alutiiq and Dena’ina names, as well as both official and unofficial modern names, with help from Janet Klein and James Kari.
Sally Ash, (Sugpiaq, Nanwalek) is a Sugt’estun language consultant who taught Sugt’estun for many years in Nanwalek
Argent Kvasnikoff, an artist who studied linguistic anthropology, is a member of Ninilchik Village Tribe and formerly Bunnell’s Board President.