Alaska Native youth practice Native sports events in the Alaska Native Heritage event space.

Quyakamsi Tagilghiisi!

(We welcome you, St. Lawrence Island Yupik)

We are so excited to have opened the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) for our Summer 2021 Programming! At ANHC, our mission is to preserve and strengthen the traditions, languages, and art of Alaska’s Native People through statewide collaboration, celebration, and education. One way we bring that mission to life is by bringing on board interns ages 14-24 like myself, to learn their Alaska Native Cultures as well as gaining valuable work experience such as communication and public speaking skills.  

My name is Hannah Hamilton, and I am St. Lawrence Island Yupik. Before I started coming to ANHC, I knew close to nothing about my Alaska Native Culture and had little communication and social skills. I started attending the Walking in Two Worlds Program when I was in 6th and 7th grade, where I got to be around others like me, an experience I didn’t get in school. I also attended the high school program throughout my high school years where I practiced Alaska Native Games.   

I’ve been an intern at the Alaska Native Heritage Center for 5 seasons, demonstrating Alaska Native Games, dancing, working the admissions desk, and assisting administration.  I’ve made lifelong friends, gained quality work experience and skills, and most of all, found a place for myself in this amazing community of Indigenous people. 

This summer, we want to see our beautiful Alaskan community come and enjoy the center! Here you will see our brilliant interns working the ticketing desk, introducing the Alaska map and the 6 major Culture groups, drumming and dancing, demonstrating Native Games, and guiding tours around our lovely Lake Tiulana.  

We invite you to visit, enjoy the beautiful weather, and ask plenty of questions! 

Igamsiqanaghhalek! (Thank you so much, St Lawrence Island Yupik) 

Egeghaghmii Hannah Hamilton, St Lawrence Island Yupik 

Advanced Intern 

Alaska Native Heritage Center 

ANHC is temporarily closed to the public from February 2024 – May 2024 for renovations to ANHC’s facility.