| In downtown Juneau, tourists can see a wall | | | | for learning more about the Alaskan native |
| sculpture of Chief Kowee, head of the Auk | | | | peoples. The annual Native Arts Festival in |
| Tlingits tribe. In the 1800s, he guided | | | | February brings together artwork, crafts, |
| prospectors Joe Juneau and Rihard Harris to a | | | | dance and folklore. In Nome, 54% of the |
| reservoir of gold along Alaska's southeast | | | | population is comprised of native Eskimos and |
| Gastineau Channel. Asking only for Hudson Bay | | | | the main industries are mining and tourism. |
| blankets and small compensation, Chief Kowee | | | | You can take a polar bear swim, watch a dog |
| was a great ally to the Europeans and later | | | | sled race, watch crab fishermen at work, pan |
| served in the Alaskan native police force. | | | | for gold or buy native Alaskan art. Barrow |
| | | | boasts the world's largest Inupiat Eskimo |
| Over the coming years, the town of Juneau | | | | settlement, where you'll see how fishing and |
| sprung up and thousands of gold prospectors | | | | hunting are still a way of life, but have |
| flooded the Yukon to find their fortune. If | | | | been combined with modern conveniences, like |
| you go on an Alaskan vacation and take a | | | | snowmobiles and tools. The Heritage Center |
| White Pass train ride, then you can still see | | | | has been called "a must-see for every |
| the remnants of historic mines and evidence | | | | visitor." |
| of optimism and the quest for the American | | | | |
| dream. | | | | If you visit Barrow in the late winter, then |
| | | | be sure to look for the awe-inspiring |
| A good starting point to learn more about | | | | Northern Lights! These are just a few of the |
| Alaska's indigenous people is to visit The | | | | native villages, of course. If you are taking |
| Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage | | | | an Alaskan cruise or planning a bundled trip, |
| Alaska. This world renowned cultural center | | | | then your travel agent should be able to |
| and museum contains information, educational | | | | point you in the right direction. |
| materials, video presentations, artwork and | | | | |
| displays documenting the following Alaskan | | | | When visiting Alaska, there are many ways to |
| native peoples: the Athabascan, the Aleut & | | | | experience the Alaskan native culture. You |
| Alutiiq, the Yup'ik & Cup'ik, the Inupiaq & | | | | can embark upon a seven-night, all-inclusive |
| St. Lawrence Island Yupik, the Eyak, the | | | | Holland Cruise, which includes native tour |
| Tlingit, the Haida and the Tsimshian. | | | | guides, narration and presentations about |
| | | | Inuit life, as well as port stops in native |
| Here you can view beaded artwork from the | | | | villages. |
| Athabascan people, learn about the | | | | |
| spirituality of the Yup'ik and Cup'ik, who | | | | Or you can choose a day trip to a place like |
| believed in good shamans for healing and bad | | | | the Saxman native village, the Fairbanks |
| shamans who placed curses on people, or gaze | | | | Native Arts Festival or stop at the Alaska |
| upon the festive Chilkat & raven's tail robe | | | | Native Heritage Center. Native artwork makes |
| regalia worn at the Eyak potlach festivals. | | | | a great memento of your once-in-a-lifetime |
| | | | experience in America's 49th state. |
| Fairbanks Alaska is a good launching place | | | | |