Alaska Native Heritage Center
The Alaska Native Heritage Center, a renowned cultural center and museum in Anchorage, is an exciting place where all people can come to expand their understanding of Alaska's Indigenous people. Here we share, preserve, and perpetuate the rich heritage of Alaska's eleven cultural groups locally, regionally and statewide. Our cultural center and museum is located in Northeast Anchorage, Alaska. The center is a place where young people come to learn and share their cultures and the broader community gains critical connection to Alaska's rich cultural history.
Local residents and visitors to Alaska are introduced to Native traditions and customs of both the past and present. The Welcome House is a celebration of contemporary Alaska Native cultures while the outdoor facilities and sites allow the exploration of ancient tradition and the presentation of stories from the past.
Our Center provides a unique opportunity to experience Alaska's many diverse Native cultures at one location.
In facilitating the transmission of Alaska Native knowledge, heritage and tradition, the Center promotes self-esteem and pride among Alaska Natives. The Alaska Native Heritage Center improves understanding among all Alaskans and encourages appreciation of Alaska Native people and their traditions, history, and contributions to Alaska.
In 1987, the Alaska Federation of Natives, the state's largest Native organization, responded to the need for a community gathering place by unanimously approving the concept to establish a statewide Native culture center. The Alaska Native Heritage Center was formed a year and a half later as an independent non-profit organization with tax exempt status.
Enthusiastically supported from the grassroots level to Alaska's highest leadership, the Alaska Native Heritage Center was incorporated in 1989 as a non-profit educational and cultural organization.
Between 1989 and 1999, $14.5 Million was raised to construct the facility from federal, state, local, and private sources. The Center's original scope was double that cost, so the project was scaled down to the funds available.
A building site was secured in 1994, and the Heritage Center opened its doors to the public on May 1, 1999.
A 30-member Academy comprised of Elders and Tradition Bearers was formed to help guide the Heritage Center staff in program and building design.
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