Alaska Natives

Crew members with the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership map anadromous streams that have not previously been documented in an effort to further knowledge about salmon distribution and health in Southeast Alaska that is essential for addressing climate change. (Photo by Lee House)

Woven Peoples and Place: Climate adaptation and resilience in Southeast Alaska

A conversation with Annika Ord, climate adaptation catalyst for Sustainable Southeast Partnership.

Crew members with the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership map anadromous streams that have not previously been documented in an effort to further knowledge about salmon distribution and health in Southeast Alaska that is essential for addressing climate change. (Photo by Lee House)
Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska appeals federal court ruling that was a step toward new ‘Indian country’ here

The state of Alaska is continuing its effort to oppose Alaska Native tribes’ effort to protect traditional lands via federal trust. On Friday, the Alaska… Continue reading

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Tlingít Code Talker Robert Jeff David Sr., is buried in the Jones Point Cemetery in Haines. (Francisco Martínezcuello / Chilkat Valley News)

Q&A: The role of Alaska Native and Tlingít soldiers in WWII code talking

A conversation with author William Meadows

Tlingít Code Talker Robert Jeff David Sr., is buried in the Jones Point Cemetery in Haines. (Francisco Martínezcuello / Chilkat Valley News)
At the Kake Dog Salmon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, residents and visiting Quakers examined artifacts returned to the village by the ancestor of a Quaker missionary. (Photo courtesy of Jan Bronson)

Alaska Native artifacts returned to Kake as Quakers continue reparations

Sen. Murkowski, federal officials hear of roadblocks to proposed cultural healing center.

At the Kake Dog Salmon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, residents and visiting Quakers examined artifacts returned to the village by the ancestor of a Quaker missionary. (Photo courtesy of Jan Bronson)
A view of the Treasury Department building in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2022. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

$83 million loan program for Alaska tribal and small businesses approved by U.S. Dept. of Treasury

Program aims to help businesses that may not receive loans otherwise.

A view of the Treasury Department building in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2022. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)
Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)

Alaska officials echo federal push to promote healing after boarding schools report

Murkowski, state lawmakers have pushed for a Native-led documentation effort.

Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)
In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)

Woven Peoples and Place: Upper Lynn Canal food systems boosted by regional sustainability initiatives

Network of grassroots efforts, volunteers and community gardens helping ensure access to local food.

In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)
Students with the Della Keats precollege program attend a lecture at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus in 2024. (Photo by Chanmi Joo)

Precollege program for rural, Alaska Native health students gets reboot and grant after funding gap

Della Keats program introduces students from far-flung parts of Alaska to college courses.

Students with the Della Keats precollege program attend a lecture at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus in 2024. (Photo by Chanmi Joo)
Gene Tagaban, a Juneau resident, ends his story and joins with the Raven spirit for one final dance during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., between June 26 and July 1. (Photo by Maria James)

Neighbors: Tlingit storyteller Gene Tagaban participates in Smithsonian Folklife Festival

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., hosted its Smithsonian Folklife Festival, with the theme, “Indigenous Voices of the Americas: Celebrating the National Museum of the… Continue reading

Gene Tagaban, a Juneau resident, ends his story and joins with the Raven spirit for one final dance during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., between June 26 and July 1. (Photo by Maria James)
Ben Mallott, vice president of external affairs for the Alaska Federation of Natives, is scheduled to become the organization’s next president on Oct. 1. (Photo provided by AFN)

Ben Mallott to become new president of Alaska Federation of Natives on Oct. 1

JDHS grad will step into role once held by his father Byron; replaces Julie Kitka after 34 years.

Ben Mallott, vice president of external affairs for the Alaska Federation of Natives, is scheduled to become the organization’s next president on Oct. 1. (Photo provided by AFN)
McHugh Pierre, Goldbelt’s president and CEO, discusses the Alaska Native Regional Corporation’s operations during its 50th-anniversary celebration at its Vintage Park Campus on Jan. 4. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Goldbelt seeks dismissal of $30M lawsuit by medical company, argues alleged ‘oral’ agreement unenforceable

Juneau Native corporation also denies the agreement exists in COVID-19 needle contract dispute.

McHugh Pierre, Goldbelt’s president and CEO, discusses the Alaska Native Regional Corporation’s operations during its 50th-anniversary celebration at its Vintage Park Campus on Jan. 4. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A parcel of land just off the corner of Capital Ave. and Village Street in downtown Juneau was approved to be the first parcel of land owned by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be put into federal trust. However, the state of Alaska has filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking to reverse the federal government’s decision, return the land to Tlingit and Haida, and stop future land-into-trust applications. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

District court vacates Tlingit and Haida’s ‘land into trust’ agreement with federal government

Split decision in state lawsuit OKs tribal pacts, but cites flaws in process involving Juneau land.

A parcel of land just off the corner of Capital Ave. and Village Street in downtown Juneau was approved to be the first parcel of land owned by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be put into federal trust. However, the state of Alaska has filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking to reverse the federal government’s decision, return the land to Tlingit and Haida, and stop future land-into-trust applications. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire A section of Angoon along the coast is seen on June 14. Angoon was destroyed by the U.S. Navy in 1882; here is where they first pulled up to shore.

Long-awaited U.S. Navy apology for 1882 bombardment will bring healing to Angoon

“How many times has our government apologized to any American Native group?”

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire A section of Angoon along the coast is seen on June 14. Angoon was destroyed by the U.S. Navy in 1882; here is where they first pulled up to shore.
Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Federal judge considers lawsuit that could decide Alaska tribes’ ability to put land into trust

Arguments took place in early May, and Judge Sharon Gleason has taken the case under advisement.

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
David A. Boxley, wearing a Ravenstail-trimmed robe, and his son David R. Boxley sing and drum in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Saturday afternoon as Metlakatla’s Git Hoan dancers perform a canoe paddling dance featuring a large carved headdress created by Git Hoan’s senior Boxley. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Photos: Git Hoan brings stories to life in dance and art during Celebration

Metlakatla dancers among 36 Indigenous groups sharing their heritage during four-day event.

David A. Boxley, wearing a Ravenstail-trimmed robe, and his son David R. Boxley sing and drum in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Saturday afternoon as Metlakatla’s Git Hoan dancers perform a canoe paddling dance featuring a large carved headdress created by Git Hoan’s senior Boxley. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Celebration 2024 participants dance across and around the main stage at Centennial Hall during the Grand Exit ceremony Saturday evening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Celebration 2024 ends four days of traditional and new events with a Grand Exit

Participants combine thunderous tribute to heritage with spirit of an intimate family gathering.

Celebration 2024 participants dance across and around the main stage at Centennial Hall during the Grand Exit ceremony Saturday evening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Atx̂am Taliĝisniikangís, also known as the Atka Dancers, ended the Celebration parade on Saturday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Dancers parade through downtown on last day of Celebration

“It’s an honor to be accepted to participate in something this beautiful.”

Atx̂am Taliĝisniikangís, also known as the Atka Dancers, ended the Celebration parade on Saturday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski announces during Celebration on Friday at Centennial Hall the U.S. Navy will be apologizing to “the people of Angoon” for the 1882 bombardment that destroyed the Tlingit village. (Screenshot from video by Sealaska Heritage Institute)
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US Navy will apologize for 1882 bombardment of Angoon, Murkowski says

Senator makes announcement while appearing with dance group from Tlingit village during Celebration.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski announces during Celebration on Friday at Centennial Hall the U.S. Navy will be apologizing to “the people of Angoon” for the 1882 bombardment that destroyed the Tlingit village. (Screenshot from video by Sealaska Heritage Institute)
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Ancestral seal hunting happened at the edge of the Sít Tlein (Hubbard) glacier. Emily Kearney-Williams © Smithsonian Institution

Scientists and Indigenous leaders team up to conserve seals and an ancestral way of life at Yakutat

Five hundred years ago, in a mountain-rimmed ocean fjord in southeast Alaska, Tlingit hunters armed with bone-tipped harpoons eased their canoes through chunks of floating… Continue reading

Ancestral seal hunting happened at the edge of the Sít Tlein (Hubbard) glacier. Emily Kearney-Williams © Smithsonian Institution
Elizabeth Peele, 3, a Saxton resident, is accompanied by her father Charles during the toddler regalia review as part of Celebration on Thursday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Small on stage, giants in legacy for participants in Celebration’s toddler regalia review

Kids ages 1-5 showcase family-made clothing, accessories with links to widespread tribal ancestries.

Elizabeth Peele, 3, a Saxton resident, is accompanied by her father Charles during the toddler regalia review as part of Celebration on Thursday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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