The first Aleut ethnography in over three decades, Aleut Identities provides a contemporary view of indigenous Alaskans and is the first major work to emphasize the importance of commercial labour and economies to maintain traditional means of survival. Examining the ways in which social relations and the status formation are affected by environmental concerns, government policies, and market forces, the author highlights how communities have responded to worldwide pressures. An informative work that challenges conventional notions of "traditional," Aleut Identities demonstrates possible methods by which Indigenous communities can maintain and adapt their identity in the face of unrelenting change.

Katherine L. Reedy-Maschner is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at Idaho State University.

Katherine L. Reedy-Maschner's profile page

"Katherine Reedy-Maschner approaches controversial and difficult topics with particular compassion. In describing an indigenous identity drawn from commercial fishing and placing it in historical context, Reedy-Maschner has captured the essence of King C

"Aleut Identities is a refreshing work in the field of indigenous studies, because it is one of a few works that is respectful enough of first peoples to place their lives within the reality of the world within which we live. This book - and the author - should be commended!" Charles Menzies, Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia