Alaska Native Culture Grant

Alaska Native Culture Grant

Funder: Alaska Children's Trust (with support from Saltchuk)

Geographic Scope: Alaska statewide

Focus Areas:
Supports work that engages Alaska Native youth in cultural activities, including:

Subsistence activities

Traditional arts and crafts

Native language learning

Alaska Native history, spiritual beliefs, and cultural values

Target Population: Alaska Native youth

Purpose: Promote mental wellbeing and increase protective factors for youth by strengthening connection to culture and community, and fostering relationships with caring adults outside immediate family.

Background: Created in response to rising levels of sadness and hopelessness among Alaska's high school students and the increasing teen suicide rate, with growing racial/ethnic disparities. American Indian/Alaska Native youth experience mental health challenges at disproportionate rates.

Program History: Offered in 2023 and 2024

Recent Awardees (2024):

William Tyson Elementary School Indigenous Education Program

Native Village of Tetlin

Friends of ANCCS INC

Village of Solomon

Mentasta Traditional Council

Native Village of Napaimute

Native Village of Koyuk

Tongass School of Arts and Sciences

Akiak Native Community

Atux̂ Forever Restoring Attuans' Freedom

Young Native Fiddlers, Inc.

VOA Alaska

Native Village of Kiana

Cook Inlet Tribal Council

Norton Sound Health Corporation

Native Village of Port Lions

Native Village of Unalakleet

Council of Athabascan Tribal Government

Behavioral Health Salamatof Tribal Association

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska

King Island Native Community

Alaska Center for Resource Families

Goldbelt Heritage Foundation

Dot Lake Village

Native Village of Eyak

Uŋalaqłiq Iñuutchak (Unalakleet Crafters Group)

Contact: kidsfirst@alaskachildrenstrust.org | Phone: (907) 248-7676

Organization Address: 6591 A Street, Suite 110, Anchorage, AK 99518