Mission Moment
ANHC's Eglertuq Program Supported Healing Across Alaska
Last month, the Alaska Native Heritage Center's cultural program, Eglertuq (To be in motion, Yugtun), concluded after 3 years of serving our community. This program used a traditional healing approach to address social determinants of health within communities of Alaska Native/Native American women. Eglertug had an established network of culture bearers and community organizations to provide culturally supportive services through renewed interest in culture and art.
Eglertuq Program Coordinator, Andrew Weaver (Yup'ik), shared a reflection on his time working with the program:
"The Alaska Native Heritage Center’s Eglertuq Program began in September 2022 and continued through August 31, 2025. It was designed to support Alaska Native and Native American women who have faced significant life challenges, including homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and re-entry after incarceration. The basis of our work was to create space for healing and growth through culturally specific workshops.
I joined the program on January 9, 2023, as the Community Advocate—the person who stayed with participants throughout the classes, answered any questions, and often hosted workshops. In this role, I had the privilege of working alongside many incredible, resilient, and talented women looking to improve their lives.
Over the three years, the Eglertuq Program hosted more than 300 culturally specific workshops and served over 1,500 individuals. Some of my personal highlights include visiting Bethel, partnering with the Southwest Alaska Arts Group to bring the first-ever artist workshops to the Cama-I Dance Festival, performing for clients of the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living in Fairbanks, leading drum-making in my home community of Mountain Village, and most recently, hosting a Headdress Making workshop with Nikki Corbett.
Of all these moments, the memories I remember most are the smiles and joy on participants’ faces when they completed their projects. This is the kind of work I love—witnessing fulfillment, growth, and confidence in people who may have once been shy or hesitant to step forward.
I truly value my time with the Eglertuq Program and remain hopeful that we can secure additional funding to continue offering workshops. The impact we’ve made is lasting, and it is work I am deeply committed to carrying on."
Quyana (thank you, Yupiit) to the Eglertuq team for their dedication to healing our statewide community through renewing connections to culture. The Eglertuq Program was made possible through support from the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Program for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
ANHC's cultural programs are dedicated to preserving and strengthening the traditions, languages, and arts of Alaska’s Native Peoples through statewide collaboration, celebration, and education. Support this work by donating below to help us continue serving our community.
