Alaska Native Heritage Center
A gathering place to learn about the vibrant and diverse people whom have called Alaska home
for thousands of years.
The view across Lake Tiulana from between the whale bone arch. This picture was taken during the late fall of 2022.Now that winter has fully descended on Alaska, we have been spending more time indoors. Temperatures are routinely dropping to the low double digits, and looking at the weather forecast, it looks like we can expect single digits soon. Looking out the window, I can see that there is a fresh dusting of snow on the ground. Now is a great time to explore the indoor activities that I neglected so that I could fully enjoy the warmer weather.
Raven the Creator. This homage to the Alaska Native being that many of the local stories talk about. The sign says "Raven is the Creator in many Alaska Native and American Indian legends. Elements from many different legends are incorporated into this sculpture including "Raven Stealing the Stars, Sun, and Moon." The human figures in the claws symbolize icons used by the Russian Orthodox faith and the face in the belly of Raven is symbolic of Mother Earth. The face on the back of Raven's head is representative of the many transformation Raven could perform."One of the best ways to really learn about a place is to learn about the native people. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is the perfect place to learn more about the rich history of the Alaska Natives. You are greeted by a large sculpture of Raven the Creator. This sculpture pays tribute to the Creator, a multifaceted being that is featured in many Alaska Native and American Indian legends. As you can see from the photo above, this sculpture is massive. Beyond the sculpture, you enter the doors to a large open room that is filled with beautiful hand crafted items that are used by the Alaska Native tribes. A sunken portion of the open room is a gathering place with a raised stage. During the summer, there are many different experiences for guests including dance performances, game demonstrations, and storytelling. I highly recommend watching several.
This traditional native house represents the homes in the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian region of south east Alaska. This is the only region of Alaska where you will find totem poles as it is the only region where the trees grow large enough to carve such beautiful and intricate pieces.The other end of the building houses the theater and the hall of cultures. The level of detail and craftsmanship in the hall of cultures is simply amazing. Each display represents the five main tribal groups and is filled with beautiful, handmade items, some of which are over one hundred years old. Some of my favorite items are the baskets. The weaving on some of the baskets are so delicate, you need a magnifying glass to fully appreciate the weaving. I could spend hours in the hall, just looking at all the amazing pieces displayed. When we went on a rainy day this summer, there were many Alaska Native artists selling their pieces. I purchased a really beautiful coaster with a caribou stamped into it made with sand from the Cook Inlet. The theater is a great place to learn more about stories, games of the north, and a video about qayaqs (kayaks) and canoes. I didn’t spend any time in the theater, but my younger brother did and said he enjoyed the information that was shared during each presentation.
Inside each home, there is a representation of the types of items you would expect to find. As you would expect, many of the items are handmade and animal or plant based and can show you a glimpse of what life is like inside the traditional Alaska Native villages.Outside the main building, there are traditional houses that have been built onsite to show the type of native houses used in the villages. I highly recommend visiting the village sites with a guide. The amazing woman who guided us through each site was so insightful and she was able to give us a lot of information about daily life as well as the values that Alaska Natives hold close to their hearts. Between the village sites, there are small displays of qayaqs (kayaks), whale bones, and other objects that are found in native villages.
This traditionally made qayaq allows you to see the craftmanship that goes into making everyday items used by the Alaska Native people. Spend some wandering around the grounds on your own after the tour. There are several items that are around the lake to look at.Don’t forget to visit the gift shop before you leave the Alaska Native Heritage Center. There you will find many beautiful carvings, clothing items, and other items for purchase to support Alaska Native artists. I purchased a colorful gaiter to use while out hiking, but there is something for everyone. Buying something from the artist’s booths or from the gift shop is a fantastic way to celebrate the rich and vibrant heritage of the people who have called these lands their home for thousands of years. To learn more about the Alaska Native Heritage Center, visit their website here. I highly recommend adding the Alaska Native Heritage Center to your list of places to visit when you come to Anchorage.
Happy Traveling!
Kat