One
of Alaska’s finest dance troupes is an Unangax dance group from the Aleutian
Islands. The dancers are from the three communities served by the school
district. Unangax dance is a part of the curriculum required for all students
in all grade levels. The group was initially created through the Aleutian
Region School District as a means to promote Unangax culture and language with
the villages’ students. Since its inception it has grown to include community
members of all ages.
In
recent years, there has been a tremendous resurgence of Unangax pride and
revitalization of all aspects of the traditional culture. Atxam
Taligisniikangis (the Atka Dancers), Chalukam Axasniikan (the Nikolski
Dancers), and Adaagim Taligisniikangis (the Adak Dancers) have played a
significant role in this movement. The dancers have been involved in assisting
neighboring villages in revitalizing dancing where it had been lost. The group
has traveled to many parts of Alaska, New York, California, Washington,
Hawaii, and North Dakota demonstrating traditional Unangax dancing and
singing.
In
recent years, there has been a tremendous resurgence of Unangax pride and
revitalization of all aspects of the traditional culture. Atxam
Taligisniikangis (the Atka Dancers), Chalukam Axasniikan (the Nikolski
Dancers), and Adaagim Taligisniikangis (the Adak Dancers) have played a
significant role in this movement. The dancers have been involved in assisting
neighboring villages in revitalizing dancing where it had been lost. The group
has traveled to many parts of Alaska, New York, California, Washington,
Hawaii, and North Dakota demonstrating traditional Unangax dancing and
singing.