QAWALANGIN TRIBE

Inside the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska office, a few locals are sitting around a long table making posters for Walking With Our Sisters, Unalaska’s annual event for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Day.

The Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska started their recycling program in 2024, collecting glass, No. 1 plastic, aluminum and cardboard.

The four-day storm hit Unalaska on Dec. 26-29, bringing 100 mph gusts, elevated tides and a storm surge that swept the coastline. It damaged the airport’s runway and closed off Summer Bay Road for vehicles.

For this episode of Island Interviews, KUCB's Sofia Stuart-Rasi sat down with Tribal Administrator Chelsey Dorrough to learn more about the tribe’s search for a design.

The funding replaces nearly half the station's budget lost when Congress eliminated CPB support, covering operations through June 2026 while KUCB develops a long-term plan.

Tanang Awaa, which roughly translates to “work of my land” or “work of my country” in Unangam Tunuu, is a week-long culture camp for Alaska Native adults, hosted by the Qawalangin Tribe. This summer marked its second year.

Unalaska is entering the height of its sockeye salmon season, and early numbers from the Iliuliuk weir have shown huge improvements from last year.Over 400 sockeye have been counted as of July 7, surpassing last year’s initial total of just 46 sockeye.

"Walking With Our Sisters" marchers carried homemade signs that read “No more stolen sisters,” “Justice for the Missing and Murdered” and “We won’t be quiet” as they walked along Airport Beach Road to City Hall.

Locals in Unalaska are partnering with a regional Native organization to preserve Unangam Tunuu for future generations.

In this episode of “Island Interviews,” KUCB’s Sofia Stuart-Rasi sat down with Jackie Adams, the City of Unalaska's grants coordinator, Dr. Shanoy Anderson, the environmental director with the Qawalangin Tribe, and Donna Van Flein, corporate affairs and grants coordinator for the Ounalashka Corporation.