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Discover the People - Alaska Native Culture

By Travel Trade Staff

Her fingers moved deftly - rhythmically twisting reeds of grass into fine, neat rows of intricate pattern, shaping a vessel of beauty and purpose, resonating with the voice of the ancestors.

Anchorage has a rich cultural history. Eklutna Village is located in the northern portion of the Municipality and was settled by Denaina Athabascans more than 300 years ago. The village is the oldest continually inhabited Native site in Southcentral Alaska and descendants of the original settlers still live there today. But Eklutna is only one of several cultural centers in the Anchorage area. Read on to learn more about how and where your clients can discover the profoundly diverse Alaska Native culture

Eklutna Historical Park
907-688-6068
www.alaskaone.com/eklutna
Russian missionaries arrived in the Anchorage area early in the 19th century, strongly influencing traditional beliefs and lifestyles. Eklutna Village is a great example of the melding of two cultures, Denaina Athabascan with Russian. Visitors first pass through Eklutna Village Heritage House, which features historical displays, a gift shop offering Native arts & crafts from Southcentral Alaska and unique Russian merchandise. Eklutna is also the site of Anchorage’s oldest standing structure, St. Nicholas church, which was constructed in the 1830s. Brightly colored and richly ornamented “spirit houses” are scattered throughout the cemetery. Located at Mile 26 on the Glenn Highway.

Alaska Native Heritage Center
1-800-315-6608
www.alaskanative.net
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is developed and operated by Alaska Natives for the purpose of educating and sharing their culture with others. There is much to see and do at the Center, including enjoying native dance and storytelling performances, touring outdoor replica village sites and shopping for authentic Native arts and crafts. A shuttle service is available from the downtown area May-September, with pick-ups at the Sheraton Hotel, the Village at Ship Creek Center, The Ulu Factory and the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center at Fourth Avenue and F Street.

Anchorage Museum of History and Art
907-343-4326
www.anchoragemuseum.org
More than 10,000 years of Alaska history! From the last ice age to today, the world class Anchorage Museum of History and Art (AMHA) offers a wonderful representation of Alaska’s first people, from the regions they inhabited to how they lived, and how their lives were influenced by the arrival of newcomers. The exhibits include scale and life size dioramas, and displays of authentic artifacts. Located at 121 W. Seventh Avenue. will offer a first-class menu, attractive atmosphere and spectacular views.

Two Traditions, One Great Price!
Museum and Native Heritage Center offer summer special
The Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the Alaska Native Heritage Center are offering a special joint admission ticket this summer allowing visitors admission to both facilities for one discounted price of $20.75. That’s a 24 percent discount off regular price adult admission to both the Alaska Native Heritage Center ($20.95) and the Museum ($6.50). Visitors may start at the Museum or the Native Heritage Center where they can take a free shuttle between facilities seven days a week through Sept. 19, 2004. Summer joint admission tickets can be purchased at the Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

The Ulu Factory
1-800-488-5592
www.theulufactory.com
Ulus are traditional Native knives. Uniquely designed and highly functional, they’ve been in use for thousands of years. The Ulu Factory has been producing the knives since 1972, but last summer the factory relocated to a beautiful and spacious new facility at Ship Creek. The factory now offers a viewing area where visitors may enjoy watching ulus being made. Or, they may browse the showroom and participate in free demonstrations to learn how to use the knives in today’s kitchens. The show-room offers many styles and sizes of knives and blocks, along with a variety of unique Made in Alaska products. The Ulu Factory works cooperatively with the Alaska Native Heritage Center and free Native dance performances are regularly scheduled throughout the summer. This summer, The Ulu Factory will begin offering a free shuttle service from the downtown area to their facility on “Lolly the Trolley,” which will circulate Fifth and Sixth avenues every half hour.