On November 15th 280 years ago Russian expedition led by сommander Vitus Bering discovered a large island in the western part of the Aleutian archipelago . Today he calls the island Bering.
Bering Island is a traditional residence of the indigenous people of the Aleuts.
“Today about 320 people live on the island,” says the Aleutian leader Galina Koroleva. “The community of Russian Aleuts is developing. There are young people on the island. About fifty students of the island school are Aleuts. There are young professionals who returned to the homelande after completing their studies on the mainland … «
„Ansarko“ a public organization of Aleuts, is actively working on Bering Island. It was the organization that initiated the creation of a new Aleutian dictionary in pictures. This dictionary is one of the first books in the restored language of the Russian Aleuts. The second book, work on which is now in process, is the textbook «Literary reading in the Aleutian language for grade 1» (compiled by E.I.Solovanyuk, editor — D.V. Belov).
There is no doubt that the Aleuts feel comfortable on their native island. Dance traditions and arts and crafts are being carefully restored on the island. Young teachers returne to Bering Island after graduating from institutes and colleges.