Alaska Natives

Matthew Quinto, a Thunder Mountain High School student, takes a shot at the one-foot high kick as members of Juneau’s Native Youth Olympic team compete against Whitehorse’s Team Yukon in a traditional games competition over livestreaming video at the University of Alaska Southeast rec center on March 17, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Matthew Quinto, a Thunder Mountain High School student, takes a shot at the one-foot high kick as members of Juneau’s Native Youth Olympic team compete against Whitehorse’s Team Yukon in a traditional games competition over livestreaming video at the University of Alaska Southeast rec center on March 17, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Trinity Jackson, 13, participates in the wrist carry as judge Elizabeth Rexford watches at the Native Youth Olympics 2018 Traditional Games at the University of Alaska Southeast Recreational Center in March 2018. Tuckwood won the event for middle school students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau hosts 2020 Traditional Games this weekend

Teams will come from across the state — and country.

Trinity Jackson, 13, participates in the wrist carry as judge Elizabeth Rexford watches at the Native Youth Olympics 2018 Traditional Games at the University of Alaska Southeast Recreational Center in March 2018. Tuckwood won the event for middle school students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Natives say their voices are being ignored in ferry reshaping group
Alaska Natives say their voices are being ignored in ferry reshaping group
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
Alaska Native leaders say racial discrimination still affects communities
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich
In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sacred histories in war’s cemeteries

We study history to avoid the mistakes of the past.

In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)
Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes
Bill would require state to officially recognize Alaska’s 229 tribes
Planet Alaska: Drawing an ovoid a day

Planet Alaska: Drawing an ovoid a day

The ovoid is the heart of it all.

Planet Alaska: Drawing an ovoid a day
Arts campus project asks for city funds
Arts campus project asks for city funds
An event held in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en pipeline protests being held in British Columbia drew dozens of Juneauites to Auke Bay Recreation Area Sunday. (Courtesy Photo | Sigoop Price)
An event held in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en pipeline protests being held in British Columbia drew dozens of Juneauites to Auke Bay Recreation Area Sunday. (Courtesy Photo | Sigoop Price)
Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire                                 Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Bussiere, Commander for Alaskan Command, stand together following a day of meetings at SHI’s Walter Soboleff Building.

Setting it right: Military could apologize for bombarding Alaska Native villages

Three Southeast Alaska villages were bombarded by the military in the 1800s.

Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire                                 Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl and Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Bussiere, Commander for Alaskan Command, stand together following a day of meetings at SHI’s Walter Soboleff Building.
Courtesy photo | UA Museum of the North                                The fossil of Gunakadeit joseeae, which was found in Southeast Alaska. About two thirds of the tail had already eroded away when the fossil was discovered.

Ancient species found near Kake given Tlingit name

This is the first species ever given a Tlingit name.

Courtesy photo | UA Museum of the North                                The fossil of Gunakadeit joseeae, which was found in Southeast Alaska. About two thirds of the tail had already eroded away when the fossil was discovered.
Lani Strong Hotch of Klukwan was one of two weavers from Southeast Alaska to be named USA Fellows by United States Artists. (Courtesy Photo | United States Artists)

Tlingit, Haida master weavers receive national honors

Two Southeast artists were among the 50 recognized nationwide.

Lani Strong Hotch of Klukwan was one of two weavers from Southeast Alaska to be named USA Fellows by United States Artists. (Courtesy Photo | United States Artists)
Weavers prepare for ‘stunning’ gathering in Juneau
Weavers prepare for ‘stunning’ gathering in Juneau
High payraise yields cricitism, board of directors shake-up for Goldbelt
High payraise yields cricitism, board of directors shake-up for Goldbelt
Planet Alaska: A lesson from haa shagóon in 2020

Planet Alaska: A lesson from haa shagóon in 2020

The phrase means so much more than just “our ancestors.”

Planet Alaska: A lesson from haa shagóon in 2020
After criticism, Goldbelt Inc. reduces pay raise for board members

After criticism, Goldbelt Inc. reduces pay raise for board members

Under new leadership, board of directors lowers compensation for its members.

After criticism, Goldbelt Inc. reduces pay raise for board members
Chuck Smythe, Ph.D., History and Culture Director for Sealaska Heritage Institute, standing next to reproduction of Tlingit battle armor by Sitka artist Tommy Joseph, gives a tour of new temporary exhibit, “War & Peace” in the institute’s gallery on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. The exhibit opens Friday, Dec. 6, for Gallery Walk and will be up until February. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A wound still bleeding: New exhibit lays bare war and peace in the Southeast

The U.S. military’s treatment of the Tlingit has been an unkind one.

Chuck Smythe, Ph.D., History and Culture Director for Sealaska Heritage Institute, standing next to reproduction of Tlingit battle armor by Sitka artist Tommy Joseph, gives a tour of new temporary exhibit, “War & Peace” in the institute’s gallery on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. The exhibit opens Friday, Dec. 6, for Gallery Walk and will be up until February. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Selina Finley, center, reluctantly listens to a judgment by the Judge, played by Teri Tibbett, right, during a Reentry Simulation event at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. The event was sponsored by Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in partnership with the Juneau Reentry Coalition and Alaska Mental Health Trust. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Selina Finley, center, reluctantly listens to a judgment by the Judge, played by Teri Tibbett, right, during a Reentry Simulation event at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. The event was sponsored by Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in partnership with the Juneau Reentry Coalition and Alaska Mental Health Trust. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)

AFN highlights widespread public safety failings in rural communities

There’s deep fear concerning the state of Alaska’s public safety.

In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)