AkNatives

Updated 4-26-2002 Reload or Refresh for Newest Page

There are about 90,000 Native Peoples making up about 15% of Alaska's population. There are six major tribes Eskimo, Athabascan, Aleut, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian and they lived within well defined regions. Today over 20,000 live in the Anchorage area.

Eskimos lived in the northern coastal areas in villages. Their homes were built partially underground and were covered in sod. They never lived in snow igloos. Temporary ice shelters were made when out hunting or caught in storms.

Athabascans lived in the interior of Alaska. They lived a nomadic life of hunters and gatherers, except for the Tanaina and Ahtna groups, who lived on the Gulf of Alaska. They migrated from one seasonal subsistence camp to another to take advantage of the seasonal abundance of fish, water fowl, and game.

Aleuts lived on the Alaska Peninsular and Aleutian Chain Islands in permanent villages.

Tlingit (Klink-it) and the Haida lived in coastal southeastern parts of Alaska. The Haida are known for their art of Totem carving and noted for skilled working of wood, bone, shell, stone, and silver. The Tlingit for their beautiful Chilkat Blankets.

Tsimshian originally lived in British Columbia until 1887. They moved to Annette Island and now live in Metlakatla. Most of the southeastern peoples had a Totem Culture that provided a record of major events in family or clan history.

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed in 1971. It gave Alaska Natives $962.5 million and 44 million acres of land as compensation for the loss of lands historically occupied or used by their people. Twelve in state Regional Business Corporations were formed under the Settlement Act to manage the money and land. A thirteenth Corporation was establish for the natives that lived outside of Alaska.

Here are some interesting links for Alaska Natives and Arctic Region Research: