We are Aleut

Aleut Federal is the largest subsidiary of The Aleut Corporation.

Leaning into Legacy

Founded June 21, 1972, our parent company is one of the 12 Alaska Native regional corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Today, we proudly represent over 4,200 Alaska Native shareholders.

Through the successful operation of our businesses, Aleut Federal strives to make meaningful economic impact in the Aleut Region and in the lives of our shareholders and descendants through dividends, employment, training, and cultural support provided by The Aleut Corporation and The Aleut Foundation.

We Are Aleut. Together, We Are Unangax̂.

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The Benefits to Unangax̂ Communities

Unangax̂ people have called Unangam Tanangin (The Aleutian Islands) home for almost 10,000 years. Today, many Unangax̂ still reside in Alaska, while others are spread across the globe. At Aleut Federal, we are deeply committed to supporting Unangax̂ communities through various initiatives, including technology, mission support, environmental, and construction projects for federal customers worldwide.

A collage of three images featuring the Unangax people

About the Aleut Region

The Region

Our shareholders and our Unangax̂ roots are based in the Aleutian Pribilof Island Region. Unangam Tanangin (the Aleutian Islands) stretches over 1,000 miles into the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean, boasting volcanic peaks, rugged coastlines, and powerful oceans. It is an area rich with resources so varied and abundant that people have thrived there for almost 10,000 years. Our shareholders, the Indigenous people of Unangam Tanangin, refer to themselves by two names, Unangax̂ and Aleut, the former in their own Unangam Tunuu language, and the latter used only after Russians first came to the region in the mid-1700s. The Unangax̂ people have a deep connection to the land, which is reflected in their values and traditional practices of land stewardship.

Despite their small landmass, the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands feature rugged coastlines with steep cliffs and narrow beaches that encompass about one-third of Alaska's coastline. The frigid waters teem with fish, seafood, and marine mammals, continuing to sustain generations of the seafaring Unangax̂.

For more information about our parent company and our commitment to preserving the rich heritage and cultural values of the Unangax̂ people, visit aleutcorp.com.

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Land Rights

After a decades-long battle for Alaska Native land rights and ownership, the U.S. Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971, which changed Native land rights in Alaska by creating private for-profit Native corporations instead of traditional land reservations seen across the contiguous United States. ANCSA split Alaska into twelve regions, with each region having its own Native corporation. These corporations, both regional and village, were owned by enrolled Alaska Native shareholders. There was a thirteenth region representing Alaska Natives outside Alaska, which is now defunct.

ANCSA and the creation of Alaska Native corporations represent a groundbreaking approach to Native land rights and economic empowerment for Indigenous peoples in the United States. As stewards of The Aleut Corporation’s federal subsidiaries, understanding and supporting this mission reinforces our commitment to integrity, community empowerment, and sustainable development, regardless of our physical distance from Alaska.

To learn more, watch Against All Odds, The Aleut Corporation’s 50th Anniversary documentary, which chronicles the creation of our parent company, documents shareholder stories, and sets the stage for Aleut's future.

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The Unangax̂

The Unangax̂ people of Alaska were among the first to encounter foreigners, with Russian fur hunters sailing to the Aleutian Islands in the mid-1700s. This period brought devastation, shrinking the Unangax̂ population by 80% within just 50 years. The 1867 sale of Alaska to the United States marked a pivotal shift, and was later followed by the Japanese military’s occupation of Attu and Kiska islands during World War II, that led to the forced evacuation of Unangax̂ communities. The 1971 passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) represented a significant milestone for Alaska Native peoples – despite centuries of adversity, the resilience of the Unangax̂ persevered. Today, although the number of villages has decreased to less than a dozen, approximately 1,700 Unangax̂ people live throughout the region.

Today

Aleut Federal’s impact extends far beyond the business realm, we are invested in the economic and cultural futures of our shareholders. We are honored to contribute to the continued success and sustainability of our parent company and its mission. We remain committed to delivering excellence while staying true to our core values and the rich heritage of the Unangax̂ people. Through our ongoing technology, mission support, environmental, and construction projects for both federal and commercial customers worldwide, we work hand in hand to build a prosperous future that honors our collective heritage and ensures a legacy of strength and resilience for generations to come.

An image of two Unangax setting out a fishing net

Together, We Are Unangax̂.

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