Indigenous cultures of Arctic Alaska

Early days

It’s believed that the ancestors of Alaska’s native people arrived in three waves, making an arduous journey either via the land bridge that connected Asia with the North American continent or by sea. These intrepid souls managed to settle and survive by hunting moose, caribou, deer, and bear on land, and whale, seal, and walrus at sea. They also fished for salmon, cod, pollack, herring, and more. Hunting and fishing still form a core part of Alaskan cultural heritage today, even if the sea and wilderness aren’t as bountiful as they used to be.

Various native peoples eventually settled along the coast and throughout the archipelago. The Athabascans settled central Alaska, while the Inupiat ruled the land all the way north. The far west of the Alaskan Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands were inhabited by the Aleut, and southeast Alaska was Haida and Tlingit territory. Even today, the Haida people still mainly occupy Prince of Wales Island, while the Tlingit people have expanded their territory from the Canadian border all the way up to mainland Alaska.

Devastating disease

The first wave of European colonists arrived in Alaska in the mid-18th century: Russians came from Siberia, attracted by the lucrative fur trade. They brought Russian Orthodox Christianity and disease. Many indigenous nations had no immunity against these foreign diseases, and several communities and settlements were nearly completely lost, including the Aleuts. Centuries later, the native population is about 15% of the Alaskan population are Alaska natives.

A rich heritage

In the 21st century, there are now over 220 tribes of Alaska Natives spread across five geographic areas and organized under 13 regional corporations. Between them, they speak 20 different languages and have 11 distinct cultures. They have done a lot to preserve traditions like shamanism, as well as handicrafts such as wood carving, needlework, and jewelry making. Their proud heritage is evident throughout the region, despite the growing influence of the modern world on their lifestyle.

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Photo: shutterstock, Shutterstock and Ashton Ray Hansen

The Aleuts: Boats and body art

Living on the Aleutian Islands, the Aleuts are expert hunters and navigators. They are known for constructing their own boats, including smaller kayaks made of sea lion skin for hunting in shallow waters and larger ones to cross the sea. They are also skilled crafters, making their own parkas from the skins of seal and sea otter. These parkas are long and warm, protecting them from the extreme dampness often lingering over this part of the world.

Like many other peoples of the Arctic, the Aleuts have a tradition of tattoos and piercings. The Aleuts believe that body art protects them from evil spirits and pleases the good spirits. Often used to signify their religious views, tattoos also display the accomplishments of their family and their forefathers. Aleut women receive a tattoo when they reach puberty and men typically get their first one after killing their first animal. Both are important rites in Aleut culture.

The Haida and Tlingit peoples: Totemic ancestry

Both nations are excellent seamen that are dependent on seaways for transport and hunting. They frequently trade with their neighbors and build long cedar canoes for transport and travel. The Haida and the Tlingit peoples have a long tradition of carving totems and ceremonial objects, commonly placed outside the household to show who lived there and to offer a brief explanation of their family history. They still practice this artform today.

New challenges to their way of life

Record-high temperatures over the past few summers have led to rapid ice and snowmelt and subsequent flooding. Climate change poses a real threat to Alaska Native communities. Heavy fishing along the Alaskan coast is just one of the challenges to maintaining their traditional way of life, which gets tougher with each decade as their food supply dwindles.

Advances of modern society have inevitably influenced the lives of these indigenous people, often enticing their youth to big cities and bright lights. Still, those that remain honor their traditions and culture and share them with the next generation (and with all visitors who take an interest).

Learn more about these historic nations and their culture and meet indigenous communities such as the Aleut, Haida, and Tlingit on an expedition cruise with us to Alaska. We work closely with these communities to ensure dignified and respectful visits that are mindful of local customs and traditions and mutually beneficial to all.