The Alaska Indian tribes are organized differently than the Native Indian tribes in other states in the U.S. There are 231 federally recognized Indian tribes in Alaska today. The following information explains this organization. In addition, read on to explore the sites that provide exhibits and teaching guides for the beautiful arts of Alaska culture and the people.
Organization
Entities Operating in the Twelve Regions (updated May 28, 2020)
“To understand the complex landscape of Alaska Native representation, it’s important to learn the differences between Alaska Native corporations, Alaska Native regional non-profit organizations, and federally recognized tribes. Similar to Lower 48, federally recognized tribes in Alaska possess a government-to-government relationship with the federal government. However, the federally recognized tribes located in Alaska do not have a land base (e.g. reservations). Through ANCSA, Alaska Native corporations hold title to roughly 44 million acres of land held in private corporate ownership. Because land ownership and the government-to-government relationship are held by two different and distinct entities that represent Alaska Native people, the differences in Alaska are magnified when compared to the Lower 48 Tribes.” ANCSA
For Additional and Current information please visit: ANCSA REGIONAL ASSOCIATION
Additional Resources About Organization, Culture and Society in Alaska States:
The Addresses of Alaska’s Native Regional Corporations:
Ahtna Incorporated:
PO Box 649
Glennallen, AK 99588
Aleut Corporation:
4000 Old Seward Hwy, Ste. 300
Anchorage, AK 99503
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation:
1230 Agvik St
Barrow, AK 99723
Bering Straits Native Corporation:
PO Box 1008
Nome, AK 99762
Bristol Bay Native Corporation:
800 Cordova St, Ste. 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
Calista Corporation:
301 Calista Ct, Ste. A
Anchorage, AK 99518
Chugach Alaska Corporation:
560 E. 34th Ave, Ste. 300
Anchorage, AK 99503
Cook Inlet Region Incorporated:
PO Box 93330
Anchorage, AK 99509
Doyon Limited:
1 Doyon Place, Ste. 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Koniag Incorporated:
4300 B St., Ste. 407
Anchorage, AK 99503
Nana Regional Corporation:
PO Box 49
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Sealaska Corporation:
One Sealaska Plaza, Ste. 400
Juneau, AK 99801
Culture:
The First Peoples of Alaska: The Anchorage Museum
In the first arrangement of its kind, the Smithsonian Institution has loaned hundreds of indigenous Alaska artifacts to their place of origin allowing access for hands-on study by Alaska Native elders, artists and scholars. These cultural and historical treasures are exhibited in the new Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center in the Anchorage Museum.
Teaching Guide:
This virtual Teacher’s Guide contains activities and resources designed specifically for middle and high school classroom settings, and can be extended to home-schoolers and lifelong learning by college students and adults as well. Teaching Overview
Moose hair tufting on an Athabaskan beaded hide box, Fairbanks, Alaska-Wikipedia
Recommended Books about Alaska Natives:
Children of the Midnight Sun: Charming book illuminating Alaska Native culture through the lives of eight Native children.
Alaska Native Ways: What the Elders Have Taught Us: Illustrated book exploring ten Alaskan Indian and Inuit cultures.
Our Voices: Native Stories of Alaska and the Yukon: Oral histories of the Northern Canadian and Alaskan Indians and Inuits.
Authentic Alaska: Voices of Its Native Writers (American Indian Lives): Essays on Alaska history and traditional life by Native authors.
Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival: Fascinating novel by an Alaskan Athabaskan author.
Birth and Rebirth on an Alaskan Island: The Life of an Alutiiq Healer: Biography of an Alaska Native woman.
The Raven and the Totem: Traditional Alaska Native Myths and Tales: Collection of legends from Alaska Native tribes.
Growing Up Native in Alaska: Interviews: Series of interviews about Native Alaska in the past and present.
Alaska Native Art: Tradition, Innovation, Continuity: Coffee-table book of arts and crafts of the Inuit and Indian people of Alaska.
Indian Baskets of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska: Art book with many photographs of Alaska Indian baskets and totems.
The Native People of Alaska: Anthropology book about the Inuit and Indian tribes of Alaska.
Making History: Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Life on the Alaska Peninsula: Ethnography of an Alaska Native tribe.
Raven Tells Stories: Anthology of Native Alaskan writing.
Earth houses, Plank houses and Igloos: Picture gallery showing Alaska Indian and Inuit homes.
Native Tribes and Languages of Alaska
