Alaska Native Heritage Center

The Alaska Native Heritage Center, located next to Ft. Richardson, allows visitors to learn about many Alaskan Native cultures. There is a 26,000 sq. ft. Welcome House and five traditional village settings, situated around a lovely small lake. Story tellers are located in each setting to explain life in their particular culture. The five Native cultures are: Athabascaan, Yupik/Cupik, Inupiaq, Aleut/Alutiiq and Tlingit/Haida/Eyak/Tsimshian. We were treated to a dance presentation by a group from the latter group. They wore tribal “button” robes and used tribal drums. There was also a craft show among the various exhibits. The people were carving ivory, sewing tiny beads onto fabric, and weaving small baskets from various grasses. There were many beautiful items for sale, but they were quite expensive. Video presentations in various locations explained traditional techniques for fishing, hunting, cooking, building kayaks and constructing dwellings.