Native Cultures in Alaska: Looking Forward, Looking Back

by Alaska Geographic Association, Tricia Brown (Editor)

In the minds of most Americans, Native culture in Alaska amounts to Eskimos and igloos... The latest publication of the Alaska Geographic Society offers an accessible and attractive antidote to such misconceptions. Native Cultures in Alaska blends beautiful photographs with informative text to create a striking portrait of the state's diverse and dynamic indigenous population.

Genres: History

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a nice introduction to 10 different Alaska Native cultures. It includes an introduction followed by a vignette about each culture, with interspersed essays on specific cultural topics like dance masks, whaling, and totem carving.

I like that the editor and writers are all from the cultures they're writing about; it's important to hear from people directly rather than through the lens of visitors or settlers. I found the vignettes somewhat inconsistent in their approach, with some more about history and ethnography and others more about cultural components like food, dress, and art. Also, one or two of the vignettes could have used a bit more copy editing. But none of that diminished the information communicated.

The essays are all excellent, written by or about notable cultural figures such as carver Nathan Jackson and writer Velma Wallis.

This book is a quick read, and I would recommend it to get perspective on the native culture that comprises 15% of the population of Alaska, in addition to the Alaska Natives who have migrated to other parts of the US. From the lower 48, it seems a lot of the portrayal of Alaskan culture is about the gold rushers and homesteaders who moved there after the land became part of the United States, which is an incomplete picture of this unique state. With its color photos and neatly divided structure, it's an easy and pleasant book to read.

[Joyce]

My BFF has lived in four distinct areas of Alaska: Southeast, Bethel, Kodiak, and Anchorage. Visiting her over the years I've had the chance to meet a diversity of Alaska Natives, see their art, eat some of their foods, and hear their stories about everyday practices that aren't common in the Lower 48. This book is a respectfully written and nicely illustrated single volume that introduces you to every distinct Alaska Native culture -- including short interviews with mostly famous artists. I did learn one thing that I hadn't known before: why there's one Native group that is regarded with some suspicion by the rest :) They always sell this book at the bookstore inside Anchorage Airport, grab a copy when you're there next.

[Meagan Hamblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up while on vacation in Alaska. Perfect quick book for plane ride home, gave an overview of every tribe and every chapter ended with a nice story from a person from the group. Quick and easy read that made me really appreciate some of the experiences I had while there and how unique each indigenous culture is. Definitely made me want to learn more about indigenous cultures in general and what they are doing today.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introductory primer.