Aleut Relocation Memorial, Unalaska Island Postcard

In 1942 the Aleut (Unangan and Qwalangan) people were taken from their villages throughout the Aleutian Islands and sent to an abandoned cannery in southeast Alaska. Many died as a result of the poor living conditions, bad food, lack of sanitary facilities and clean water, and no medical attention. When they were allowed to return to their homes, the Unangan people of Unalaska Island found them destroyed by U. S. soldiers as a result of looting. This memorial statue is located next to city hall in the City of Unalaska, Alaska, commenrating the return of the survivors of the relocation camps. Illiuliuk Bay is visible in the background, with downtown Unalaska City in the foreground behind the statue. A quote from Wendall Phillips on the statue warns that eternal and constant vigilance is the price of liberty, lest our government become the seat of power for tyrants.