Unangax̂ (Aleut) Relocation during World War II
Evelyn Butler and George Dale. Photographs, 1934-1982. ASL-PCA-306-1044.
After the Japanese attack of Alaska's Aleutian Islands on June 3, 1942, officials forcedly evacuated Alaska Natives from the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands. These Alaska Natives were relocated to six areas in Southeast Alaska, as far away as 1,500 miles from their homelands.
Many were housed in old and derelict cannery buildings. Lack of proper food, housing, and medicinal care resulted in deaths and trauma for those relocated as well as future generations.
Primary Sources
| Description | Letter describing Aleut living conditions at Funter Bay, Alaska, September 20, 1943. |
|---|---|
| Author | Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska |
| Date created | September 20, 1943 |
| Repository | Alaska State Archives |
| Citation | Letter written by Ernest Gruening to Dr. Ira Bagrielson, Box VS 471, Office of the District and Territorial Governor records, Alaska State Archives. |
| Online access | Letter describing Aleut living conditions at Funter Bay, Alaska [Alaska's Digital Archives] |
| Description | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1941-1942. |
|---|---|
| Author | Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska |
| Dates created | 1941-1942 |
| Repository | Alaska State Archives |
| Citation | Correspondence files of Governor Gruening, Box VS 571, Office of the District and Territorial Governor records, Alaska State Archives. |
| Online access | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1941-42 [Alaska's Digital Archives] |
| Description | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1942. |
|---|---|
| Author | Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska |
| Date created | 1942-1945 |
| Repository | Alaska State Archives |
| Citation | Correspondence files of Governor Gruening, Box VS 571, Office of the District and Territorial Governor records, Alaska State Archives. |
| Online access | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1942 [Alaska's Digital Archives] |
| Description | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1943. |
|---|---|
| Date created | 1943 |
| Author | Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska |
| Repository | Alaska State Archives |
| Citation | Correspondence files of Governor Gruening, Box VS 571, Office of the District and Territorial Governor records, Alaska State Archives. |
| Online access | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1943 [Alaska's Digital Archives] |
| Description | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1944-1947 |
|---|---|
| Author | Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska |
| Date created | 1944-1947 |
| Repository | Alaska State Archives |
| Citation | Correspondence files of Governor Gruening, Box VS 571, Office of the District and Territorial Governor records, Alaska State Archives. |
| Online access | Governor Ernest Gruening's subject file and correspondence concerning Aleut Relocation, 1944-1947 [Alaska's Digital Archives] |
Secondary Sources
| Description | National Park Service article series on World War II Aleut Relocation Camps in Southeast Alaska. |
|---|---|
| Online access | World War II Aleut Relocation Camps in Southeast Alaska [NPS] |
Additional Resources
Page last updated 09/16/2021