International News
- Helena Pagano
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Atux̂ Forever Takes Center Stage in Numerous Japanese News Outlets!
Keywords: Attu, Japan, WWII
In April, I had the pleasure of meeting with Toshiyuki Inaba, 稲葉俊之, Kyodo News Staff Reporter from the New York Bureau. Our family is so grateful for the opportunity to speak with him. His thoughtful questions and keen insights allowed us to express our hopes for the future and the importance of preserving our heritage. This experience not only gave us a platform to share our story, but also reinforced the bonds between our communities across the ocean. My son who is fluent in Japanese was at first nervous to represent his people in Japan; however, I am so proud of him for being able to. Toshi was welcoming and helpful through the whole process. Our story and dreams are now shared in Japan. We do hope that people will support our efforts, internationally.
News from top to Bottom: Okinawa Times, Shinano Mainicih, & Ehime Shimbun
Our homeland is isolated. To the west of us, the Kurile Islands are about 750 miles from Atux̂, and Adak, from the east of us, is 450 miles from Atux̂. As we continue our journey, we are reminded of the power of storytelling in bridging gaps and fostering unity. It's our hope that through this collaboration, we can inspire others to learn about and support the unique traditions and aspirations of our people. As isolated as we may be geographically, the threads of human connection weave us into the greater tapestry of the world, and with this, we look forward to building a brighter future together.
Translated Article in English
The indigenous people of Attu Island, who lost their homeland
Descendants aim to restore traditional culture
This month marks 82 years since the Battle of Attu Island in the North Pacific, where the Japanese military was almost completely annihilated during World War II. The indigenous people who had been taken away from the island due to the occupation by Japanese were not allowed to return even after the war and lost their homeland. Their descendants have begun efforts to restore their traditions and culture, appealing to the Japanese government to support the restoration of cultural facilities and the return of the island to its original state as compensation.
“It changed our destiny forever,” Helena Pagano, sighed in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. In June 1942, more than 1,000 troops of the former Japanese army landed on the island located at the western end of the Aleutian Islands with the population of 42, including her great-grandfather.
Attuans were taken to Otaru City in Hokkaido and forced to work in mines. Many, including her great-grandfather, died from malnutrition and tuberculosis, and only 25 survived by the end of the war. Although the U.S. military reclaimed the island in May 1943, Attuans were not allowed to return reportedly because of the high cost of reconstruction. They were scattered across the U.S., with some in Atka Island, approximately 860 kilometers east, some others in Washington State.
They not only lost their lifestyle on the island but also gradually lost their unique language. Former islanders were reluctant to talk about their experiences in Japan, and some even fell ill just seeing rice. Pagano reflected, “A deep trauma was etched into the entire ethnic group.”
▽Mission
Pagano, who grew up hearing fragments of what happened to the former islanders, established an organization to restore the culture of the Attuans. The former islanders were struggling to survive in the postwar period. “I feel like it’s my destiny or my purpose in my life to be the carrier of the stories” said Pagano
Because of her work, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., has returned the remains of Attuans collected before the war. Currently, she has been extracting Attuan words from dictionaries of the Aleutian Islands' languages.
Former islanders have not received compensation. Pagano has asked the Japanese government to support the removal of cannons and explosives left on the island, as well as the construction of facilities to display items related to the ethnic group. For the restoration of the culture, she hopes to work together with around 300 descendants estimated to live in various parts of the country.
▽Dream
Last August, she accompanied a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare aimed at collecting the remains of Japanese soldiers. As a descendant of the island's former residents, she stepped foot on the island for the first time since the war. Setting up a tent near a stream, she listened to birds chirping and salmon swimming in the river, imagining the lives of her ancestors in the resourceful nature of the island.
Migration to the island is not realistic, and she says, “My dream is to build a fishing camp where people can visit.” Looking at her 15-year-old son, Brad, and 7-year-old daughter, Anecia, in traditional attire recreated with seal fur on the sleeves, she said with a smile, “I hope they can see the island someday.” (Anchorage = Inaba Toshiyuki)
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As we look to the future, we recognize the vital role that support plays in our mission. To continue preserving our heritage and advocating for social justice, we rely on the generosity of individuals and partnerships with organizations who share our vision. Financial contributions enable us to sustain our initiatives and develop new programs that address the pressing needs of our community. Moreover, forming alliances with like-minded organizations amplifies our impact and helps drive systemic change.
We invite you to join us in this endeavor, whether by making a donation or exploring collaborative opportunities. Together, we can create meaningful change and ensure that our cultural legacy thrives for generations to come. Thank you for standing with us in this important journey.
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