Alaskan Treasures: Emblems to Cherish and Bring Home

Capture your own piece of Alaska with a souvenir representing the state’s emblems. Check out the list of local retailers in the sections for Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

Fur

While many associate Alaska with the Gold Rush, the region's first prized commodity was actually fur. Russian traders and Native hunters established their most lucrative partnership in the early to mid-1800s.

Gold

The excitement began shortly after the U.S. acquired Alaska in 1867, but it wasn't until the 1880s that the full-blown gold rush hit. The valuable metal was discovered in Juneau, along the Klondike River, and on the shores of Nome. Prospectors flocked to Alaska in search of their own fortunes.

Knives

Outdoor enthusiasts and hunters depend on the sharpness of their knives, but aesthetics also play a role, especially with the ulu (OO-loo) knife. This multipurpose blade has been in use for thousands of years, serving various functions from skinning animals to cutting ice for igloo construction. The original ulu featured handles made from bone, ivory, or wood, often adorned with unique markings crafted by the knife's maker.

Masks

Inuit masks are considered some of the finest examples of tribal art worldwide. Traditionally, these masks are worn by dancers during ceremonies that honor the spirits of birds or animals that have been hunted or require appeasement. The Tlingit and other coastal tribes craft transformation masks that reveal multiple faces within a single mask, while the Aleuts create bone masks that are worn at funerals and discarded after the rites are completed.

Salmon

Many of Alaska's Native communities depend on salmon for both sustenance and economic stability, a trend that the rest of the world has recognized. Salmon is rich in Omega-3 oils, known as "good" fats. Alaska salmon is available fresh as whole fish, steaks, and fillets, as well as preserved in cans.

Totem Poles

A traditional art form among the Indigenous peoples of Southeast Alaska, totem poles symbolize ancestral pride by illustrating the history and lives of their creators. Crafted from massive cedar trees, these poles often feature carvings of local wildlife, including eagles, ravens, frogs, bears, wolves, and whales. Once erected, totem poles can stand for as long as nature allows, typically between 50 to 60 years. When they eventually fall, they are either left to decompose naturally or repurposed as firewood.