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Moses Gordieff Interview

Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area

Two photos of the same man, one in sepia tone as a young adult in uniform and one in color of him as an elder.
Moses Gordieff as a young man, and (right) at a bentwood hat workshop at Camp Qungaayux̂.

Left: Moses Gordieff
Right: David Gregory

As part of the "Beginning of Memory Project," Ray Hudson conducted interviews with Unangax̂/Aleuts who were forced to evacuate from their homes during World War II. Many of the evacuees from the Aleutians faced years away from their childhood homes, sometimes in deplorable camps. Many communities - the "Lost Villages" - were never resettled.

Moses Gordieff was born in Unalaska in 1939. He was just 6 years old when he returned to Unalaska following evacuation to Southeastern Alaska during the war. His mother and father, Molly and Peter Lukanin, consented to his adoption by Myria and John Gordieff while at Wrangle after they fell ill with TB and could no longer care for him.

Download a full transcript of Moses' interview.

  • Interview - Moses Gordieff

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        Moses Gordieff was born in Unalaska but eventually moved to Biorka.

        Credit / Author:
        Ray Hudson
      Five men in uniforms walking across a grassy field.
      Men in their National Guard uniforms. Left to right: John Borenin, Kusta Lekanoff, William "Coco" Yatchmenoff, Simeon Lekanoff, and Moses Gordieff.

      Courtesy of Jennie Lekanoff

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      Last updated: October 26, 2021