Biography
Sven Haakanson (also credited as Sven Haakanson Jr. or Dr. Iqalluuq Sven Haakanson) is an American anthropologist specialising in Alutiiq/Sugpiaq language and culture. Born in Old Harbor, Alaska, he earned a BA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and MA and PhD degrees in anthropology from Harvard University.
From 2000 to 2013 he served as executive director of the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak. He is professor of anthropology at the University of Washington and curator of Native American anthropology at the Burke Museum in Seattle. In 2007 he received a MacArthur Fellowship for his work revitalising Alutiiq traditions.
Haakanson appeared as himself in the 2005 documentary Grizzly Man, discussing Alutiiq perspectives on bears and human interaction with them.
