The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has released a new “Alaska Native Culture Guide.” The move comes barely a few months after a redesigned TravelAlaska.com launched with expanded information on Alaska Native cultures and tourism opportunities.
The guide was unveiled in Sitka at the ATIA Annual Convention, which is the largest annual gathering of Alaska tourism professionals in the state. Available in both in print and digital formats, the guide features a regional map of Alaska’s 229 federally and state recognized tribes. It also includes:
- Common greetings in several Indigenous languages
- Alaska Native events
- Alaska Native values, traditions and stories
- Cultural tours, experiences, museums and heritage sites
- Indigenous culinary opportunities
- Ways to support Alaska Native businesses and artisans
- Traveler etiquette
The guide was developed in collaboration with ATIA’s Cultural Enrichment Subcommittee and written largely by two committee members: Alaskan Dream Cruises’ regional catalyst for regional tourism, Mary Goddard (Tlingit); and Alaska Native Heritage Center’s president and CEO, Emily Edenshaw (Yup’ik and Iñupiaq).
Most images in the guide are by Alaska Native photographers. The guide also incorporates several designs used on the website. These graphics are inspired by Alaska Native jewelry, blankets, knives and more that were developed in partnership with an Alaska Native designer and ATIA’s Cultural Enrichment Subcommittee.
“It was important to us to give our Alaska Native tourism leaders the space to share what they felt travelers needed to know about visiting Alaska and experiencing its Indigenous cultures,“ said Sarah Leonard, ATIA president and CEO. ATIA is the only statewide nonprofit association for travel and tourism in Alaska.
Travelers can find the “Alaska Native Culture Guide” inside the “Alaska Vacation Planner.” It can also be viewed online. For more information, visit www.alaskatia.org.
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