Morris Iugaaq Kiyutelluk

Morris Iugaaq Kiyutelluk

Sept. 16, 1939 ~ March 16, 2020

Morris Iugaaq Kiyutelluk was born September 16, 1939 at the mouth of Arctic River, 20 miles east of Shishmaref to Alfred and Dolly Kiyutelluk.  He went to be with the Lord on March 16, 2020 at the age of 80-years-old.

Morris (better known as Moe or Papa Moe to many) attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School and graduated with high honors in 1959.  After graduating high school Morris and Peter Tocktoo served two years in the United States Army stationed in Georgia where they also worked together.  They also had the privilege of attending an event where they were able to meet and shake hands with the late President John F. Kennedy.

Morris loved hunting, camping and berry picking.  One of his favorite pastimes was searching and finding old ivory of which he found many throughout his lifetime.  He also loved teaching his family the traditional lifestyle preparing and enjoying subsistence foods.  Morris was known for his kind smile and a warm heart along with many accomplishments that focused on community growth.

Morris served his community as a board member sporadically in his lifetime.  He served on the Shishmaref Native Corporation board and the Native Village of Shishmaref (IRA) board where he often shared his thoughts and was a strong voice for community concerns.

Morris also played a huge role in helping re-establishing and form the Shishmaref Dance group in the late 1980s after Russian dancers visited and performed for the community of Shishmaref. 

Morris highly valued the traditional Alaska Native lifestyle and respected the land.  He worked tirelessly to share traditional knowledge and values of the Kigiqtamiut Inupiat people of Shishmaref, Alaska.  Morris was an oral storyteller, which was passed on to him and his siblings from his dad Alfred Kiyutelluk.  He gathered most of his dad’s stories and began transcribing them onto paper.  His work was kept in the attic where he grew up.  During the storm, when the old house collapsed, all the stories were lost at sea.  He kept the stories alive by sharing them with the youth and community members during the annual Shishmaref Inupiaq Days.  It was very important for him to talk to the youth of the community, which he did as often when he was able.  Morris also had a soft spot for his grandchildren, and children.  He very much loved and adored his wife Mildred Kiyutelluk and expressed his love for her often.

Morris is survived by his wife Mildred Kiyutelluk, his daughters Hanna Kuzuguk (Dean Giffin), Fanny Kuzuguk (Ralph Olanna), Shelly Kuzuguk (Phillip Rode), Rena “Tamaak” Kiyutelluk, Renee Hattie Kiyutelluk, his sons John Kiyutelluk and Edgar Kuzuguk, he also accepted Leonard and Anna Kuzuguk’s daughter Renee’ as his own, and 17 grandchildren.  Brother Steven (Lillian) Kiyutelluk and family, sister Agnes Magby and family, mother-in-law Rena Kuzuguk, brother –in-law Larry Kuzuguk, Vincent Tocktoo Sr. and family, nephews/nieces James and Better Sinnok and family, Florina and Jean Snell and family, Darlene Turner and family, Karen Tocktoo and family, Vincent Tocktoo and family, Janet Kiyutelluk, Lloyd Kiyutelluk, Archie Kiyutelluk, Peggy Kiyutelluk and Rachel Kiyutelluk.  Jed, Joel, Veda, Betsy and Sandra Magby; Eva Leonard and family; Herbert Kiyutelluk, Warren Kiyutelluk; Harriet Gales and family, Arlene (Kiki) and family, Ken and Marilyn and family, Mary Ann and Dolly Kiyutelluk and family, Alfred Kiyutelluk and family, and numerous great nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved and cared for.  Also, close relatives and beloved friends Nora, Leonard and Anna Kuzuguk, Richard and Stephanie Kuzuguk, Stella and Kim Ningeulook.

He was preceded in death by daughter Renee’ Kuzuguk, sister Molly Tocktoo, brothers Davis Kiyutelluk, Clayton Kiyutelluk, Amos Kiyutelluk and John Kiyutelluk.  Sister-in law Martha Kiyutelluk, Geraldine Kiyutelluk, nephews Bobby Kiyutelluk, Benny Tocktoo, Jimmy Kiyutelluk, nieces Hannah Tocktoo, Twyla Webster, Krystal Kiyutelluk and Dana Kiyutelluk.  In-laws Ray and Hattie Ningeulook, Earl and Anna Scott, Beatrice Davis, Frankie and Fanny Kuzuguk, and Bert Kuzuguk.

The Nome Nugget

PO Box 610
Nome, Alaska 99762
USA

Phone: (907) 443-5235
Fax: (907) 443-5112

www.nomenugget.net

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