Alaska Natives

Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, takes questions from delegates at its 90th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Large advances, challenges to Tlingit and Haida’s sovereignty highlighted in State of the Tribe address

Emergency response during last year’s record flood a landmark moment, but Trump’s policies a concern.

 

Contractors continue work on the new SEARHC medical center on Japonski Island. The completion estimate has been pushed back to the spring of 2026. (James Poulson / Sitka Daily Sentinel)

Pent-up complaints heard by SEARHC during annual “listening session” in Sitka

Concerns voiced about faulty care, home health for elders, waits for service and hard-to-navigate system.

 

Quentin O’Domin attempts a 100-inch two-foot high kick during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mindsets and methods matter more than muscles for some medalists at Traditional Games

More than 250 competitors young and old test ancient Iñupiaq skills at three-day Juneau event.

Quentin O’Domin attempts a 100-inch two-foot high kick during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has spoken often of his and his family’s longstanding commitment to Native Americans. (Eric Lee / The New York Times)

Kennedy’s plan to send health officials to ‘Indian country’ angers Native leaders

Health secretary says he wants to improve Indian Health Service; Native leaders have doubts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has spoken often of his and his family’s longstanding commitment to Native Americans. (Eric Lee / The New York Times)
Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick Saturday morning during the 2022 Traditional Games. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Eighth annual Traditional Games kicks off this weekend, expanding Indigenous representation

Native Youth Olympics carry on Indigenous values with athletes reaching for their personal bests.

Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick Saturday morning during the 2022 Traditional Games. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
Clockwise from top center: Malia Towne, Mackenzie Englishoe, Sophie Swope and Jazmyn Lee Vent. (Image by Mer Young/High Country News)

How Alaska Native youth are protecting the land for their future ancestors

Four women devoting careers to preservation of Indigenous lifeways under threat in Alaska.

Clockwise from top center: Malia Towne, Mackenzie Englishoe, Sophie Swope and Jazmyn Lee Vent. (Image by Mer Young/High Country News)
(Illustration by Stephanie Harold)

Woven Peoples and Place: Seals, science and sustenance

Xunaa (Hoonah) necropsy involves hunters and students

(Illustration by Stephanie Harold)
One of Nicholas Galanin’s completed totem poles, the Kaagwaantaan pole located in downtown Juneau as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí, on March 17, 2025. (Photo by Molly Johnson)

Southeast carvers will create two more totem poles for Juneau’s waterfront Kootéeyaa Deiyí

Master crafters in Sitka, Hoonah will teach apprentices techniques and heritage as part of project.

One of Nicholas Galanin’s completed totem poles, the Kaagwaantaan pole located in downtown Juneau as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí, on March 17, 2025. (Photo by Molly Johnson)
‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates, Raye Lankford, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Rochelle Adams pose with the Children’s and Family Emmy Award award Lankford and Twitchell won for co-writing the an episode of the PBS animated children’s show “Molly of Denali.” (Photo courtesy of ‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates)

‘Molly of Denali’ episode wins best writing honor at 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards

First Emmy win for animated PBS show goes to episode co-writers X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Raye Lankford.

‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates, Raye Lankford, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Rochelle Adams pose with the Children’s and Family Emmy Award award Lankford and Twitchell won for co-writing the an episode of the PBS animated children’s show “Molly of Denali.” (Photo courtesy of ‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates)
The Tlingit and Haida Elders Group performs the entrance dance at the 89th annual Tribal Assembly of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Trump rescinds Biden executive order expanding tribal sovereignty and self-governance

Order giving Natives more access to federal funds cited in awarding of major Southeast Alaska projects.

The Tlingit and Haida Elders Group performs the entrance dance at the 89th annual Tribal Assembly of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Katrina Hotch is the Sustainable Southeast Partnership’s Community Catalyst for the Chilkat Valley. (Photo by Ḵaa Yahaayí Shkalneegi Muriel Reid)

Woven Peoples and Place: Sharing knowledge as an honor and responsibility

A Q&A with Chilkat Valley Community Catalyst Katrina Hotch

Katrina Hotch is the Sustainable Southeast Partnership’s Community Catalyst for the Chilkat Valley. (Photo by Ḵaa Yahaayí Shkalneegi Muriel Reid)
Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

U.S. House passes two bills from Alaska Rep. Nick Begich

One month into his term, Alaska’s lone representative says he’s generally satisfied with how things have gone so far.

Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A sign at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, June 24, 2024, commemorates the school being in operation from 1973 to 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A sign at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, June 24, 2024, commemorates the school being in operation from 1973 to 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

New lawsuit seeks to limit Alaska Native tribes’ authority, stop Eklutna gambling hall

State challenges legal interpretation that allows tribes to exert authority over as much as 2.7M acres.

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The renovated Edward K. Thomas Building, used by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, has been frequented in recent days by residents seeking tribal IDs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Natives in Juneau rushing to get tribal IDs amidst fears of immigration detentions

115 IDs issued Tuesday is “incredibly not normal,” tribal president says; no local detentions confirmed.

The renovated Edward K. Thomas Building, used by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, has been frequented in recent days by residents seeking tribal IDs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
President Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first hours of his term. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Birthright citizenship of Native Americans questioned by Trump administration

Justice Department makes argument defending executive order suspending birthright citizenship.

President Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first hours of his term. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (right) listens to Katherine George-Byrd ahead of Saturday’s bombardment apology ceremony. George-Byrd, a Kiks’adi clan mother, talked to the senator about the at.óow on the table before them. At.óow are clan items that provide a connection between current clan members and their ancestors. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

U.S. Army delivers historic apology for 1869 Wrangell bombardment; three of seven clans accept

Unlike Kake and Angoon apologies, some in Wrangell reject military’s words and seek further reparations.

Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (right) listens to Katherine George-Byrd ahead of Saturday’s bombardment apology ceremony. George-Byrd, a Kiks’adi clan mother, talked to the senator about the at.óow on the table before them. At.óow are clan items that provide a connection between current clan members and their ancestors. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)
The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposed totem poles at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center get icy reception from some tribal residents

Concerns raised about accurate representation of area’s Native peoples, project’s sudden announcement

The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)

Five new totem poles proposed at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as part of stewardship agreement

Open house Wednesday to discuss project intended to “represent several Tlingit and Haida clans.”

A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)