ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) is honored to announce the appointment of Karla Gatgyedm Hana'ax Booth (Tsm’syen, Raven Clan) as its Director of Cultural Programs, a newly established leadership role designed to ensure ANHC’s programs remain rooted in cultural values, grounded in Alaska Native knowledge systems, and responsive to the priorities of the communities ANHC serves. Karla will officially begin her role on December 8.

As ANHC enters a period of continued growth and expansion, the Director of Cultural Programs will work closely with the President & CEO to strengthen the organization’s approach to designing, implementing, and evaluating its cultural programs and community services. This role will oversee the full lifecycle of ANHC’s cultural initiatives, uphold alignment with the ANHC Responsibility Plan, steward grant- and donor-funded programming, and deepen engagement with culture bearers, artists, Elders, and partners across Alaska.

“Karla brings an extraordinary depth of cultural knowledge, community connection, and professional experience to this role,” said Kelsey Ciugun Wallace (Yup’ik), President & CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. “As ANHC steps boldly into its next chapter, we must ensure that our cultural programming remains culturally grounded, community-centered, and carried forward with integrity. Establishing this position reflects a long-term strategic investment in the future of ANHC and the generations we serve. We are honored to welcome Karla into this leadership role.”

Karla is Tsm’syen of the Raven Clan, with family from Metlakatla, and has spent her life learning, practicing, and carrying forward her culture. She has been a dancer with the Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers of Anchorage since 2005. She holds a BA in Alaska Native Literature, with a minor in Alaska Native Studies, from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Her professional experience includes supporting Alaska Native and rural students through the University of Alaska Anchorage, leading statewide Indigenous leadership initiatives at the First Alaskans Institute, and most recently serving as ANHC’s Ch’k’iqadi Gallery Manager, where she elevated Alaska Native artists and strengthened cultural representation through curation and community collaboration.

“It’s an honor to serve our Alaska Native people in this role,” said Karla Gatgyedm Hana'ax Booth. “I look forward to the creative ways that our team will continue to celebrate who we are with our community and support the transfer of knowledge between our generations.”

In her new role, Karla will guide the ongoing vision and strategic direction of ANHC’s cultural programming and will support the transition and onboarding of the next Ch’k’iqadi Gallery Manager.

For more than 25 years, the Alaska Native Heritage Center has served as a statewide leader in cultural tourism, arts, education, and intergenerational learning. The establishment of this new leadership position reflects ANHC’s continued commitment to cultural integrity, community-driven programming, and the future of Alaska Native cultural representation.

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About the Alaska Native Heritage Center:
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a nonprofit organization that preserves and strengthens the traditions, languages and arts 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