New Alaska Native Culture Guide Educates Travelers on Rich Indigenous Experiences

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 10, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has launched its inaugural Alaska Native Culture Guide, aimed at helping visitors engage authentically and respectfully with the First Peoples of the state.

This 20-page guide is available in both digital and print formats (travelers must request a physical copy online). It categorizes the various cultural groups and regions, enabling visitors to better understand the 229 federally recognized tribes—the largest number in any state—calling Alaska home. It also features comprehensive insights into Alaska Native events, traditions, greetings, stories, and more.

The guide provides travelers heading to Alaska with information on how to explore daily life, both historical and contemporary, through cultural tours and visits to museums and heritage sites, as well as guidance on supporting Indigenous businesses and artists.

“This guide presents a chance for us to share information about the diversity of Native cultures,” stated Camille Ferguson, chair of ATIA's Cultural Enrichment Subcommittee, in an interview with Dinogo.

About 15 percent of Alaska's population identifies as Alaska Native, but due to the state's vast size—over two-and-a-half times larger than Texas—the cultural expressions in art, traditional foods, language, storytelling, and more can vary greatly across regions. A significant portion of the guide focuses on the etiquette for engaging with diverse Alaska Native cultures, offering key guidelines for respecting local customs, such as referring to Indigenous peoples as Alaska Natives (instead of Native American or Native Alaskan) and showing deference to Elders by allowing them to speak without interruption.

“These living cultures profoundly shape our contemporary way of life—from the names of rivers, mountains, and ancestral lands to the artwork, architecture, and the festivities we celebrate in our communities,” reads one of the guide's opening pages.

The guide, as stated by ATIA, is just the beginning. In the upcoming months and years, the organization plans to reach out to tribal communities throughout Alaska to create more detailed cultural itineraries, aiming to promote and connect Alaska Native communities.

“Alaska has always been, and will always be, a Native place,” remarked Emily Edenshaw, one of the guide's authors, president of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and a member of the Yup’ik and Iñupiaq tribes. “It’s thrilling to see resources like this cultural guide being created so that travelers can learn about Alaska’s First Peoples and our rich, vibrant cultures.”