The Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska

Dark teal copies of “Alita’s Curse” were circulating around the Unalaska Public Library on Aug. 28 as people waited in line to have their books signed by Unangax̂ author and filmmaker Beverly Morris.

Unalaska’s geothermal power project collapsed in 2024. But the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska is going back to the drawing board, hoping the project could cut the island’s diesel consumption.

For this episode of Island Interviews, KUCB’s Kanesia McGlashan-Price speaks with her brother, Carter Price, the Qawalangin tribe’s Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) manager, along with Aaron Young and Kevin Guerrieri of the University of San Diego, who helped facilitate the return of Unangax̂ ancestors.

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.

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.