Mission Moment
Celebrating Tiamuna's Legacy
Last month, the Alaska Native Heritage Center's grant-funded cultural program, Tiamuna (Future, Iñupiatun), came to an end after 5 incredible years of serving our community. Through funding from the Office of Indian Education via the U.S. Department of Education, Tiamuna provided Alaska Native and American Indian families in Anchorage with credits for their students, unlocking access to cultural enrichment and educational services.
Families used the credits for a wide range of opportunities, from covering the cost of summer camp and tutoring, to cultural workshops, art classes, and customized kits for subsistence, beading, sewing, or back-to-school necessities. Over the course of five years, Tiamuna supported approximately 1,000 families, bringing meaningful cultural and academic experiences to students regardless of financial backgrounds.
Tiamuna Family Liaison, Anthony Nauska (Lingít) wrote a heartfelt reflection on his time working in this program:
"As Tiamuna’s Family Liaison, my Program Manager, Veronica, and I joked many times throughout the last year that coming to this job every day feels like getting to be Santa. But it really somehow feels grander than that – it feels like for a short time, we get to be a part of these students' worlds. We get to see their progress, their successes, we even get to see their dreams develop and grow. We get to cheer them on and know that whatever stress we have on our plate, it is hardly even a burden when you know it’s all for them, the students.
Not only has Tiamuna given students a chance to develop with opportunities they may not have access to otherwise, I feel developed and changed through the work that we get to do to bring these opportunities to them. I feel changed from witnessing the happiness on their faces from receiving a Sewing Machine Kit or their very own laptop from their Back-to-School Kits, I am changed every time they send us a thank-you card or a video of them doing their best in their activity of choice.
Tiamuna was not only a blessing to students, but it was the kind of blessing that affects a whole community. When we take care of our youth, when you cheer them on, when you listen to them, when you show interest in them and their dreams and interests, the whole community expands, the whole community grows in love, and passion, and drive. And that is definitely something we witnessed in Tiamuna, each year our community of families grew bigger, and more hopeful in the future we are all creating, and more compassionate, and it wasn’t something that took a backbreaking amount of work or happened in an instant. It was never a chore; it was a natural growth that came from all of us caring about our youth and supporting and uplifting them. Quyana, Chin’an, Haw’aa, Gunalchéesh, Tiamuna," Anthony Nauska, Tiamuna Family Liaison.
Here are just a few quotes from parents and students who participated in Tiamuna that reflect just how much Tiamuna accomplished in its lifetime:
- “We are very thankful for all that Tiamuna has been able to allow us to do as a family and it’s been such a relief to have this program available for us.”
- “This was major assistance for us this year. It provided Sylvan tutoring, Flag Football, Dome passes, a subsistence Kit, basketball training, as well as a back-to-school kit.”
- “So thankful for this program. My daughter had such pride pulling her first fish this year! She got opportunities she wouldn't have received.”
- “Overall, our experience has been GREAT! The funding we have received from Tiamuna has really expanded the types of events/classes/training/resources that our kids can participate in... most of which we would not have been able to afford otherwise!”
- “The best resource available to reach our children!!! Such a smart way to offer support to our children without requiring to see if they deserve it.”
- “Great, I’m so blessed to have the chance to teach my kids subsistence and not have to rely on others for equipment. The backpacks for back to school is amazing I have one stress of back to school done! Thank you so much!”
Anthony's reflection and the testimonials we received from families enrolled in Tiamuna emphasize why programs like Tiamuna matter. Tiamuna removed barriers to education and cultural connection, uplifting an underserved community. We are incredibly proud of the Tiamuna team for their commitment to families, Indigenous artists, educators, and local businesses, and for creating hundreds of creative kits along the way. Gunalchéesh (thank you, Łingít) to the Tiamuna team.
Tiamuna is just one of ANHC's many cultural programs dedicated to preserving and strengthening the traditions, languages, and arts of Alaska’s Native Peoples through statewide collaboration, celebration, and education. Donate below to help us continue serving our community.
