Alaska Natives seek greater presence on map (fwd link)

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Alaska Natives seek greater presence on map

Alex DeMarban | Tundra Drums	 | Dec 20, 2010
USA

In a growing effort to put Native culture on the map, literally, the
Southwest Alaska village of Alakanuk wants to change the spelling of
its name. But it won't be any easier to pronounce.Outsiders usually
call it uh-luk-uh-nuk. Now say that while clearing your throat midway
through the word.

That's roughly how the Yup'ik people said it for eons, long before an
officer with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey "discovered" the
village and anglicized the name in 1899. Problem was, there was no
English letter for that guttural growl at the time.

Access full article below:
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/rural-alaska/7887-alaska-natives-seek-greater-presence-on-map