Give Back
This page is dedicated to the many Indigenous communities that surround the trail locations celebrated on this website. To be truly environmentally conscious and to make environmental issues a primary concern, means that the well being and protection of Indigenous communities and their land must be evidently prioritized as well. These communities have protected the land that we currently enjoy, for thousands of years. So, let's celebrate their efforts and show some appreciation by supporting and giving back to them.
Title: White Qaspeq This photo was taken at the Anchorage Museum in Alaska. The creator of this piece is Amber Webb, a Yup'ik visual artist from Dillingham, Alaska. The award winning artwork features a white qaspeq with many hand-drawn portraits of missing or murdered Indigenous women.
This page includes:
- Donation locations and websites
- Establishments and podcasts that provide education on the Indigenous cultures of the area.
- Local Indigenous owned businesses
- Centers that provide safety and empowerment for the local tribes and Indigenous communities as well as advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Two Spirit (MMIW2S).
There are over 200 Indigenous tribes in just Alaska alone. Please keep in mind that the geographical areas listed below are not limited to the tribes mentioned, nor is this a complete list of the tribes within the area.
Dena'ina Ełnena & Dënéndeh
Anchorage is the settler name given to the occupied location that is Dena'ina Ełnena and Dënéndeh ancestral land.
- IñuPiphany
Location: 324 W. 4th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska
This center provides a safe environment, relief and community healing for Alaskan Native women that are facing challenging circumstances. This center is also an art gallery, which allows the participants an opportunity to display and sell their artwork. A great way to support IñuPiphany is through donations which can be done through the provided link below.
https://www.alaskanative.net/support/
- Alaska Native Women Resource Center (AKNWRC)
This center advocates for the safety of Alaskan Native women, particularly against domestic and sexual abuse/violence. To learn more about AKNWRC and their mission or donate to this cause please visit the link below.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
Location: 8800 Heritage Center Dr, Anchorage, AK 99504
This is an educational center that teaches the heritage of the different cultural groups in Alaska while upholding the respect and value of the Alaskan Native people as well as their cultures. This center accepts donations on their website which is provided below.
- Dena’ina Dreams
If you'd like to support a small, Indigenous owned business consider visiting Dena'ina Dreams. This is a one-woman shop that offers handmade Athabascan heritage inspired jewelry and dreamcatchers. Below is a link to the shop's official website.
- Anchorage Museum
Location: 625 C Street Anchorage, AK 99501
Museums are a great place to start when learning about different cultures and specific issues targeting certain communities. Anchorage museum offers many different galleries which display paintings, sculptures, and installations by Alaskan Native artists. From addressing climate change to homelessness and the aftermath of colonialism, this museum offers many educational and authentic exhibits. This museum is dedicated to honoring the land and culture of the Dena’ina people. Learn more about the exhibits and the museum's mission in the link below.
Tanana & Dënéndeh
Fairbanks and Delta Junction are the settler names given to the occupied ancestral lands that originally belonged to the Tanana and Dënédeh people.
- On The Land Media
Educating yourself on major and often marginalized issues is a great way to show support for any community. On The Land Media is a social science podcast based out of Fairbanks that centers Indigenous voices. You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or straight from the link provided below. On The Land Media provides a platform for bringing awareness to environmental issues such as food sovereignty and land, water, and air accessibility. These issues are told from the perspective and expertise of people Indigenous to the circumpolar region.
- Fairbanks Native Association
This association was founded by Koyukon Alaskan Athabascans, Poldine and Bill Carlo, to provide a political voice as well as a sense of belonging for Alaskan Natives in the Fairbanks area. Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) was interior Alaska's first civil rights organization. Other than being directly responsible for the change of many discriminatory policies in Alaska, this association also helps people find employment, receive education, celebrate their culture, and maintain sobriety. To learn more about FNA, sign up for newsletters, or volunteer please visit their website provided in the link below.
https://www.fairbanksnative.org/news-events/newsletters/
- Nomadic Stars
Location: 1327 Hayes Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99709
The owner of this local business is Odin Peter-Raboff (Gwich'in/Koyukon Athabascan). Nomadic stars is one of the few eco-friendly screen printing shops in the United States. This expanding business upholds many sustainable practices, including using water based inks that do not contain toxic-chemicals, solar powered energy, and reusing old boxes. To place online orders through the shop, please visit the link below.
Alutiiq, Lingít Aaní, & Dënéndeh
The settler names given to Alutiiq, Dënéndeh, and Lingít Aaní (Tlingit) lands are Seward and Juneau.
- Sealaska Heritage
Location: 105 S Seward St, Juneau, AK 99801
This center is a non-profit foundation that was created in 1980 in efforts to preserve and strengthen the Native cultures of Southeast Alaska. The institute promotes cultural diversity through public services, events, scientific and public policy research. The goal of each program is to provide education on the art, culture, and history of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures. If you'd like to support the Sealaska Heritage Institute, please visit the link below to donate.
https://www.sealaskaheritage.org/donate
- Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Location: 101 Railway Ave, Seward, AK 99664
This tribally managed marine research facility was established to advocate and preserve natural resources as well as Native South-central Alaskan subsistence opportunities. Alutiiq Pride does not accept donations, however, a virtual tour of the facility is provided through the link below.
https://www.alutiiqprideak.org
- Kindred Post
Location: 145 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801
If you are looking for a thoughtful and unique gift during your trip to Juneau, Kindred Post is the place to shop. The founder of this post office and gift shop is Christina NaMee Eriksen, a Lingít Aaní poet and gatherer. Kindred Post offers books on social justice, cards, souvenirs and artwork from over 150 local and diverse artists. Browse the shop's website through the link below.
- Coffee & Quaq
This podcast offers an inside perspective on the contemporary Native life in urban Alaska. The topics discussed regard modern Indigenous life, as well as the unique issues and oppression the Indigenous community in Alaska endure. The host of this illuminating podcast is Alice Qannik Glenn. Alice is Iñupiaq, born and raised in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Read about the mission or support Coffee & Quaq by making a donation through the link below.
Koyukon, Ahtna Nenn', & Dënéndeh
Healy is the settler name given to the occupied location that is Koyukon, Ahtna Nenn', and Dënéndeh land.
- The Urban Auntie Show
This podcast and radio show discusses issues that are unique to the Indigenous community such as MMIW2S, Indigenous identity and representation. The host, Laura Ekada (also goes by Deloodeneenła), is Koyukon Athabascan from Minto, Alaska. To learn more about Laura as well as where to listen to the show, please visit the link provided below.
https://www.theurbanauntieshow.com/about-the-show
- Center for Environmentally Threatened Communities
The Center for Environmentally Threatened Communities (CETC) is a partnership between the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF). This foundation focuses on supporting rural communities throughout Alaska that are affected by natural disasters such as flooding, coastal erosion, and the melting of permafrost. Since 2017 the foundation has funded and worked towards rebuilding 22 communities. Visit the link provided below to learn more about this foundation and subscribe to their e-newsletter.
https://www.anthc.org/center-for-environmentally-threatened-communities/
Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), & Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache)
Colorado Springs is the settler name given to the occupied location that is Cheyenne, Ute, and Lipan Apache land.
- Haseya Advocate Program
Location: 5350 Tomah Dr #2500, Colorado Springs CO 80918
This program is a Native woman-led organization that is dedicated to serving Indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Haseya offers a safe space and empowerment as well as numerous resources such as 24/7 sexual assault, human trafficking, and suicide prevention hotlines. Donate to this organization or schedule a consultation at the link provided below.
- One Nation Walking Together (ONWT)
Location: 3150 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
This charity organization supports the Native community by donating $2,000,000 (annually) worth of clothing, food, and other necessities to reservations located in Colorado, Arizona, Montana, North/South Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The board of directors for ONWT is entirely Indigenous. Other services offered by ONWT include community outreach programs, cultural preservation, powwows, emergency services, medical assistance, and family assistance. Donations allow this organization to continue supporting the local Indigenous community for free, please visit the link below to make a donation or learn more about their mission.
- White Bison
Location: 6455 N. Union Blvd, Ste 102 Colorado Springs, CO 80918
This non-profit organization is an Indigenous operated space that offers cultural-based healing for Indigenous people seeking sobriety and wellness. White Bison offers recovery, sobriety, and addiction prevention resources. Please visit the link below to donate or meet the founder and elders of this organization.
Arapaho, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), & Očhéthi Šakówiŋ
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are the settler names given to the locations that are Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, and Šakówin lands.
- Spirit of the Sun
Location: 1400 N. Williams St, No 204 Denver, CO 80218
Spirit of the Sun is an Indigenous woman-led, non-profit organization that focuses on improving tribal economies as well as empowering Native youth and communities. There are many programs this organization offers, such as food share, mentorship, sports, fitness, and financial education. Visit the link below to learn more about this organization, donate, or view volunteer opportunities.
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