Hall of Cultures
A newly updated Hall of Cultures features a number of unique and dynamic exhibits that will teach you about each of the five major culture groups of Alaska. New to the Hall of Cultures, you will find several rotating exhibits unlike any other in Alaska. Please see the front desk attendants upon entry for directions.
Village Sites
The Alaska Native Heritage Center has six authentic life-sized Native dwellings situated in a wooded area around beautiful Lake Tiulana: the Dena’ina Log Home, Yup’ik/Cup’ik Qasgiq & Enet, Iñupiaq/St. Lawrence Island Yupik Qargi, Sugpiaq Ciqlluaq, Unangax̂ Ulax, and the Eyak/Tlingit/Haida/Tsimshian Clan House & Carving Shed. Each village site was built to resemble a traditional structure along with cultural belongings that each group used in their daily lives.
The Village Sites were originally built in the late 1990s by Alaska Native Elders to serve at least two purposes. One purpose was for Elders to pass along to youth and culture bearers traditional housing building methods and a second purpose was to share Alaska Native building technologies and experiences for visitors. The cultural advisory committees decided that the traditional buildings should date from the time of contact with Westerners.
Guided Tours of the Village Sites: Guided outdoor walking tours, led by Alaska Native culture bearers, offer a deeper understanding of the major Alaska Native cultural groups. Tours run daily during the summer season, departing from the Crossroads at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, 1:15PM, and 2:15PM. Each tour lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Please note these tours take place outdoors rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather.
Dena’ina Log Home with attached hearth room and adjacent cache.
Photo by Noelle Wang.
Yup’ik/Cup’ik Qasgiq & Enet.
Photo by Noelle Wang.
Explore Our 3D Belongings
Cultural Knowledge Center
Lach’qu sukdu
"True story"
IN DENA'INA ATHABASCAN
A robust research program on the history of government- and church-run boarding schools in Alaska and the continued impacts on our people and communities. We are working to provide accurate retellings of this history while centering Indigenous knowledge, communities and values.
