ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) President and CEO, Emily Edenshaw, (Yup’ik/Iñupiaq/Adopted Raven Thunderbird Clan of Old Masset, Haida Gwaii) is stepping down from her role effective July 31, 2025. Edenshaw began her tenure in 2019 and and led ANHC through a series of historic accomplishments, notably:
- Expansion of the ANHC’s operating budget from $2 million to more than $10 million, and grew staff from a small team of 12 to a robust workforce of 50 full-time employees;
- Transformative investment and infrastructure by securing more than $30 million in public and private investment, including $4 million to renovate ANHC’s main facility;
- National recognition and philanthropic support, including but not limited to ANHC being named one of just 20 of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation and receiving a multi-million-dollar unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott;
- Advancement of truth-telling and healing by launching ANHC’s Lach'qu Sukdu Research Program to document and honor the stories of Alaska Native boarding school survivors and descendants;
- Cultural reclamation and ceremony- ANHC hosted a historic Dena’ina and Haida Potlatch and raised a 20-foot Haida Healing Pole, carved by Master Carvers Joe and TJ Young, in honor of all boarding school survivors and their descendants; and
- Museum Expansion and Repatriation - ANHC significantly expanded its museum and collections program, transforming it into a national leader in ethical repatriation and Indigenous curation.
“Everything we’ve built, we’ve built together,” said Edenshaw. “I stand on the shoulders of visionary Elders, founders, past presidents, and leaders who dreamed this place into being. It has been the greatest honor to work alongside an extraordinary team that brings that dream to life every single day.
Our current and former staff are the heartbeat of this organization. From the bottom of my heart—Quyana—thank you to our Elders, artists, youth, donors, staff, and supporters for believing in me and trusting me with this work. I hope I’ve made you proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I will always carry this place, its mission, and our people in my heart. Quyana.”
Alaska Native Heritage Center’s Board Chair Tiffany Tutiakoff (Yup’ik and Athabascan) expressed deep gratitude for Edenshaw’s dedication to the Alaska Native community. “Emily’s leadership has been nothing short of transformational,” said Tutiakoff. “She brought vision, compassion and a deep love for our people. Her impact will be felt for generations.”
The ANHC Board of Directors is preparing to launch a national search for the organization’s next President and CEO. Transition details will be shared in the coming weeks.
###
About the Alaska Native Heritage Center:
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a nonprofit organization that preserves and strengthens the traditions, languages and art of Alaska’s Native Peoples through statewide collaboration, celebration and education. To learn more, visit www.alaskanative.net.
Media Contact: Rachel Ruston
Communications & Development Manager
[email protected] | 907-330-8071
