Alaska Natives

Photo courtesy Scott Burton The first Resilience Circles cohort gathers in Juneau for a cohort retreat.

Woven Peoples and Place: Bridging knowledge systems

Across Southeast Alaska, partners are advancing the co-production of knowledge

 

Two-foot-high kick, Traditional Games, 2023. (Photo by Stacy Unzicker, courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Eighth annual Traditional Games kicks off this weekend, expanding Indigenous representation

Native Youth Olympics carry on Indigenous values with athletes reaching for their personal bests.

 

Adam Strom, head coach for the Haskell Indian Nations University women’s basketball team, coaches the team to a March 1, 2025, win against Washington Adventist University (Maryland) during the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference women’s basketball championship. After he was laid off Feb. 14, 2025, as a result of mass federal layoffs by the Trump administration, Strom continued to coach without pay until he was rehired on March 6, 2025. (Lauren Richey/Special to ICT)

Trump seeks 90% funding cut for tribal colleges and universities

Officials say impact would be “extremely dire” for campuses across U.S., including Alaska.

 

People dance in celebration of the Fisherman’s Honor Totem Pole in Hoonah on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Hoonah’s rich fishing history remembered through totem pole

The story of fishermen carved — “all of us in the past, all of us in the future, and all of us now.”

People dance in celebration of the Fisherman’s Honor Totem Pole in Hoonah on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The shoreline of Kake, a Tlingit village of about 500 people, is seen in 2012. (Alaska Division of Community Affairs photo)

Federal appeals court upholds emergency subsistence hunt in village of Kake

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the board which regulates subsistence hunting on federal lands within Alaska… Continue reading

The shoreline of Kake, a Tlingit village of about 500 people, is seen in 2012. (Alaska Division of Community Affairs photo)
A reflection of a cold-water dip in Sitka Sound. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)

Woven Peoples and Place: We are coming out of the water

For the second year, the Sustainable Southeast Partnership is releasing “Woven” as a printed and digital collection of stories. The second edition “��̲andleeandlee sdu t’aláng… Continue reading

A reflection of a cold-water dip in Sitka Sound. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)
A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)

‘Molly of Denali’ and other PBS children’s programs on hold as Trump cancels funds

Emmy-winning Juneau writer of “Molly” says PBS told creators the series isn’t being renewed.

A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)
Wayne Price (center), carver of the healing totem pole Kaasei Satú at Twin Lakes, dances on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Community seeks healing through culture on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day

Family and friends remember victims in ceremony, dance, artwork; “We shouldn’t have to do this.”

Wayne Price (center), carver of the healing totem pole Kaasei Satú at Twin Lakes, dances on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Tlingit and Haida rejoins Alaska Federation of Natives after two-year absence, citing current challenges

“In uncertain times, unity is our greatest strength,” Tlingit and Haida’s president says.

Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Siluk / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Trump’s first 100 days shredded millions in funding for Indigenous peoples

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here. When Native Hawaiian combat veteran Joseph Guzman-Simpliciano got back home to… Continue reading

(Michael Siluk / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Laa.éi Kathleen John leads the Yées Ḵu.oo dance group through the Haida entrance song at the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

A merry 15th annual Juneau Maritime Festival despite the rain

“This kind of feels like it’s just for us.”

Laa.éi Kathleen John leads the Yées Ḵu.oo dance group through the Haida entrance song at the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Tribal elder lder Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill picks up black cod during a traditional foods distribution by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Hydaburg earlier this year. (CCTHITA photo)

Tlingit and Haida halts traditional foods distribution due to cancellation of federal funding

Providing of salmon, other foods to communities among multiple tribal cuts by Trump administration.

Tribal elder lder Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill picks up black cod during a traditional foods distribution by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Hydaburg earlier this year. (CCTHITA photo)
Participants of the 2024 Sustainable Southeast Partnership annual retreat in Sheet’ká (Sitka). This week more than 150 people are gathering for the 12th annual retreat to strengthen relationships, accelerate ideas and energize work already happening across the region. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)

Woven Peoples and Place: Celebrating values in action

Mentorship and storytelling with Shaelene Grace Moler.

Participants of the 2024 Sustainable Southeast Partnership annual retreat in Sheet’ká (Sitka). This week more than 150 people are gathering for the 12th annual retreat to strengthen relationships, accelerate ideas and energize work already happening across the region. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)
Dancers exit the main conference room at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall as part of the opening ceremonies for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s 90th Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida votes to give smaller Southeast communities more representation at tribal assembly

Change during constitutional convention significantly shrinks delegations in Anchorage and Seattle.

Dancers exit the main conference room at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall as part of the opening ceremonies for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s 90th Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Aleijah Fulmer, 6, deposits the plastic shells of eggs in a basket after removing the candy inside during the Molly of Denali EGG-Stravaganza at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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UAS celebrates ‘Molly of Denali’ Emmy win with watch party and Easter egg hunt

Award for Native language instructor who wrote episode gives university a reason to resurrect egg event.

Aleijah Fulmer, 6, deposits the plastic shells of eggs in a basket after removing the candy inside during the Molly of Denali EGG-Stravaganza at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, takes questions from delegates at its 90th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Large advances, challenges to Tlingit and Haida’s sovereignty highlighted in State of the Tribe address

Emergency response during last year’s record flood a landmark moment, but Trump’s policies a concern.

Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, takes questions from delegates at its 90th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. This year’s three-day tribal assembly is scheduled to start Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Tlingit and Haida’s 90th tribal assembly will feature constitutional convention amidst ‘crazy times’

Impacts of federal and state turmoil on tribal issues likely to loom large at three-day gathering.

Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. This year’s three-day tribal assembly is scheduled to start Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Contractors continue work on the new SEARHC medical center on Japonski Island. The completion estimate has been pushed back to the spring of 2026. (James Poulson / Sitka Daily Sentinel)

Pent-up complaints heard by SEARHC during annual “listening session” in Sitka

Concerns voiced about faulty care, home health for elders, waits for service and hard-to-navigate system.

Contractors continue work on the new SEARHC medical center on Japonski Island. The completion estimate has been pushed back to the spring of 2026. (James Poulson / Sitka Daily Sentinel)
Quentin O’Domin attempts a 100-inch two-foot high kick during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mindsets and methods matter more than muscles for some medalists at Traditional Games

More than 250 competitors young and old test ancient Iñupiaq skills at three-day Juneau event.

Quentin O’Domin attempts a 100-inch two-foot high kick during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has spoken often of his and his family’s longstanding commitment to Native Americans. (Eric Lee / The New York Times)

Kennedy’s plan to send health officials to ‘Indian country’ angers Native leaders

Health secretary says he wants to improve Indian Health Service; Native leaders have doubts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has spoken often of his and his family’s longstanding commitment to Native Americans. (Eric Lee / The New York Times)