Alaskan Indigenous People

The areas I have chosen to explore and write about cover a vast geography starting with the Inside Passage which runs from Washington State (Straits of Juan de Fuca) up thought the coast of British Columbia and on to Alaska. From there my interest takes me to Alaska and the northern provinces of Canada (The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) extending through the Northwest Passage. All of these lands were and still are inhabited by indigenous peoples.

This blog centers on Alaskan Indigenous peoples. Native Alaskans comprise about 18% of the population of Alaska and the latest counts per the 2020 Census bureau shows about 240,000+. This represented a 45.6% gain since 2010. The table below shows the details.

Native Alaskan peoples are best identified within five geographical areas of the state and  consist of 11 distinct cultures. The chart below shows the geographical dispersion of the people.

Alaskan Natives speak within 23 distinct languages, most fall within two main language groups. The two groupings include Inuit-Unangan (Eskimo-Aleut) and Na-Dene (Athabascan-Eyak-Tlingit).

Issues facing the people:

While younger native people are trending towards migration into the cities for educational opportunities, job and career opportunities, and non-traditional lifestyle amenities, most native Alaskan people prefer the traditional way of life and cling to preserving their language and culture. It is a minimalistic way of living centered around fishing, hunting, and gathering for subsistence.

With a lifestyle of being one with nature comes issues these people encounter. The shortage of fish and specie fishing limitations in the communities are a major concern as fish make up an important part of their diet. The warming of the waters due to changing climate and the movement of fish stocks is another widespread concern. Hunting and fishing opportunities are taxed due to competition. Non-Native sport and commercial operations, legal restrictions and limitations, and other commercial ventures that disrupt the environment are competing with the people’s ability to sustain their traditional way of life and subsistence. The native Alaskans utilize every part of the animal they harvest. It is essential for not only food but clothing and tools utilized for daily life.

The Alaskan Federation of Natives (AFN) cites additional problems the native populations face. “Other problems exist for Alaska Natives, including high energy costs, a stalled economy, and lack of education and training opportunities. These issues make remaining in villages and home regions very challenging. High energy costs for residential heating and electricity and a lack of infrastructure severely limit rural residents’ cash income; Rising health costs due to high rates of diabetes and substance abuse among Native populations continue to challenge our cultural and economic survival. Educational opportunities drastically differ between schools in urban areas of Alaska and rural Alaska – a problem exacerbated by school closures when community populations become too small.”

AFN is an advocate for the people. It is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 209 federally recognized tribes, 185 village corporations, 9 regional corporations, and 10 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums. Their mission is to:

• Advocate for Alaska Native people, their governments, and organizations.
• Foster and encourage preservation of Alaska Native cultures.
• Promote understanding of the economic needs of Alaska Natives and encourage development.
• Protect, retain, and enhance all lands owned by Alaska Natives and their organizations.
• Promote and advocate for programs and systems which instill pride and confidence in individual Alaska Natives.

More Information:

AFN’s website is full of great information. Read more by checking the site https://www.nativefederation.org/about-afn/. Another insight can be seen on a weekly television series put on by National Geographic “Life Below Zero: First Alaskans” depicts selected individuals or families and how they provide for themselves, the challenges living the lifestyle of their ancestors, and fighting to preserve the culture of their heritage.

A great read is a book written by the famous explorer Peter Freuchen “Book of The Eskimos.” The book gives us insight into their way of life from love and marriage, to eating and visiting, and the mindset of the people. The book written in 1951 gives us a perspective and background to better understand this group of people.