Alaska Natives

Courtesy Photo / Break the (Bi)Cycle                                Break the (Bi)Cycle is a movement started by former professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter to raise money and awareness about the dearth of mental health care for Black and Indigenous men. Bell-Holter will ride from Bellingham, Wash., to San Diego, Calif., more than 1,500 miles, while visiting tribes and documenting the trip.
Courtesy Photo / Break the (Bi)Cycle                                Break the (Bi)Cycle is a movement started by former professional basketball player Damen Bell-Holter to raise money and awareness about the dearth of mental health care for Black and Indigenous men. Bell-Holter will ride from Bellingham, Wash., to San Diego, Calif., more than 1,500 miles, while visiting tribes and documenting the trip.
Tlingit and Haida violence against women co-chair picked for federal post
Tlingit and Haida violence against women co-chair picked for federal post
This composite image shows both the Alaska State, Library, Archives and Museum and the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Both have made adjustments to a relatively tourism-free summer. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

No tourists means loss and opportunities for museums

The Alaska State Museum usually gets more than 15,000 guests over summer. This year, it’s 500.

This composite image shows both the Alaska State, Library, Archives and Museum and the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Both have made adjustments to a relatively tourism-free summer. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Tribal Emergency Operations Center responds to crisis across Southeast

Tribal Emergency Operations Center responds to crisis across Southeast

The Tribal Emergency Operations Center is looking out for nearly 35,000 tribal citizens.

Tribal Emergency Operations Center responds to crisis across Southeast
Tribal leaders including Myrna Warrington, far left, of Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, gave Ivanka Trump a ceremonial key when she spoke at the grand opening of the first Missing and Murdered Native American Cold Case Office. American Indians and Alaska Native are 2.5 times as likely to experience violent crimes. This is one of seven offices that is being established under Executive Order 13898 by President Donald J. Trump. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune)

Feds launch Minnesota office on missing Indigenous cases

It’s the 1st of seven planned offices, including a site in Anchorage

Tribal leaders including Myrna Warrington, far left, of Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, gave Ivanka Trump a ceremonial key when she spoke at the grand opening of the first Missing and Murdered Native American Cold Case Office. American Indians and Alaska Native are 2.5 times as likely to experience violent crimes. This is one of seven offices that is being established under Executive Order 13898 by President Donald J. Trump. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune)
This map shows regional corporations established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. On Friday, a judge ruled Alaska Native Corporations are eligible to receive federal coronavirus relief funds. (Courtesy Photo | US National Park Service)

Judge rules Alaska Native corporations can get tribal virus relief money

Alaska Native corporations are eligible for relief funding for tribes, a federal judge ruled.

This map shows regional corporations established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. On Friday, a judge ruled Alaska Native Corporations are eligible to receive federal coronavirus relief funds. (Courtesy Photo | US National Park Service)
Screenshot                                Members of Tlingit and Haida’s lunchtime chat discuss the tribal courts system over web conference on June 25.

Tlingit and Haida talks tribal courts at weekly luncheon

Soon, the courts will gain access to several national crime databases.

Screenshot                                Members of Tlingit and Haida’s lunchtime chat discuss the tribal courts system over web conference on June 25.
Irene Lampe dances a robe for its first dance ceremony at the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Monday, June 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Annie Bartholomew)

Weavers celebrate new robe with first dance at SHI

The event is part of a resurgent trend for traditional weaving.

Irene Lampe dances a robe for its first dance ceremony at the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Monday, June 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Annie Bartholomew)
Morgan Fawcett of Woosh.ji.een of Juneau dances in the Grand Entrance for Celebration 2018 along Willoughby Avenue on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Morgan Fawcett of Woosh.ji.een of Juneau dances in the Grand Entrance for Celebration 2018 along Willoughby Avenue on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute                                 This original Ravenstail-style design, inspired by traditional designs in use for hundreds of years in Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures, was created by Clarissa Rizal, a master weaver, in 1996. (
Courtesy photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute                                 This original Ravenstail-style design, inspired by traditional designs in use for hundreds of years in Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures, was created by Clarissa Rizal, a master weaver, in 1996. (
The Sealaska Corporation Building at Egan Drive and Main Street as seen in June 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sealaska Corporation creates $1 million fund for coronavirus relief

$500,000 toward dealing with immediate needs have already been disbursed.

The Sealaska Corporation Building at Egan Drive and Main Street as seen in June 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Harvey Shields, from Saxman, Alaska, leads the Cape Fox Dancers during the Grand Entrance of the Sealaska Heritage Institute Celebration 2014 march from the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall to Centennial Hall.This year’s Celebration has been postponed. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Celebration 2020 is postponed

New dates are in 2021.

Harvey Shields, from Saxman, Alaska, leads the Cape Fox Dancers during the Grand Entrance of the Sealaska Heritage Institute Celebration 2014 march from the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall to Centennial Hall.This year’s Celebration has been postponed. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Matthew Quinto, a Thunder Mountain High School student, takes a shot at the one-foot high kick as members of Juneau’s Native Youth Olympic team compete against Whitehorse’s Team Yukon in a traditional games competition over livestreaming video at the University of Alaska Southeast rec center on March 17, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Matthew Quinto, a Thunder Mountain High School student, takes a shot at the one-foot high kick as members of Juneau’s Native Youth Olympic team compete against Whitehorse’s Team Yukon in a traditional games competition over livestreaming video at the University of Alaska Southeast rec center on March 17, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Trinity Jackson, 13, participates in the wrist carry as judge Elizabeth Rexford watches at the Native Youth Olympics 2018 Traditional Games at the University of Alaska Southeast Recreational Center in March 2018. Tuckwood won the event for middle school students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau hosts 2020 Traditional Games this weekend

Teams will come from across the state — and country.

Trinity Jackson, 13, participates in the wrist carry as judge Elizabeth Rexford watches at the Native Youth Olympics 2018 Traditional Games at the University of Alaska Southeast Recreational Center in March 2018. Tuckwood won the event for middle school students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Natives say their voices are being ignored in ferry reshaping group

Alaska Natives say their voices are being ignored in ferry reshaping group

‘It’s a cultural and spiritual relationship.’

Alaska Natives say their voices are being ignored in ferry reshaping group
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich
In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sacred histories in war’s cemeteries

We study history to avoid the mistakes of the past.

In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)
Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes
Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes
Planet Alaska: Drawing an ovoid a day

Planet Alaska: Drawing an ovoid a day

The ovoid is the heart of it all.

Planet Alaska: Drawing an ovoid a day