Located at the end of the Aleutian Chain, the island of Atux (Attu) holds deep cultural significance for the Saskinax (Attuans), an Indigenous Maritime Nation with their history rooted in Southwest Alaska. For centuries, Attu was home to a thriving community with rich traditions and a deep connection to the land and sea. This changed in 1942 when the Japanese army captured Attu during World War II, displacing its residents, who faced unimaginable hardships as prisoners of war. Though many Attuans eventually resettled in Alaska, the US government imposed insurmountable logistical, political, and financial barriers that systemically prevented this indigenous community from returning to their ancestral home.
Looking down the main street of Attu © 1936. Alan G. May papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage
The resilience and unity of the Attuans remains their source of strength. Today, there is a growing effort to restore the cultural heritage and communal ties that bind the Attuans. Helena Pagano, great-granddaughter of the previous Attuan chief and current Caretaker of the Attuan people, leads this effort through Atux Forever: Restoring Attuans’ Freedoms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reviving the Attuan language, Saskinam Tunuu, advocating for the restoration of their ancestral lands after the damage of World War II, and reconnecting the Attuan people with their culture and traditional roots.
The hills of Attu
“My son said he wants to go with me to Atux. That was five years ago. We just can’t go to our traditional homelands. We are not able to experience the sand, the stars, and the sunrise. We are not free.” – Helena Pagano
Helena Pagano, current Caretaker of the Attuan people
Atux Forever has been at the forefront of impactful initiatives, such as the 2022 project to return Attuan ancestral remains from the Smithsonian Museum to their rightful resting place in Alaska. This project, made possible through support from grants like the Social Justice Fund at The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF), underscores the powerful role that funding plays in restoring justice and culture. Traditional grants, while crucial to Alaska’s nonprofits, can present unintended limitations to recipients. With time-consuming reporting requirements, and complex stipulations to the use of the funding, a grant can quickly become a chore rather than an opportunity. ACF is combating these barriers by providing multi-year funding to Atux Forever. Providing funding from 2023 to 2026 that supports their core operation further empowers Atux Forever – providing flexible financial support to accelerate their mission without the limitations often associated with traditional grants.
Participants who went under ACF to return Attuan’s loved one’s remains, from left to Right: Reid Johnson, Blanche Murphy, Barbara Riley, Richard Asher
Atux Forever is not only rekindling cultural traditions but also leading efforts to ensure that future generations of Attuans can reconnect with their ancestral homeland. Schmitz’s vision exemplifies how focused community-driven efforts can create lasting change and how resources when directed toward empowering local leadership, can revitalize entire cultures.
