Page 78 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

76  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

9 Alaska Native Heritage Center

Situated in a lovely wooded corner of Anchorage, the Alaska
Native Heritage Center uses exhibits, workshops, and outdoor
displays to preserve and perpetuate Native Alaskan culture. One
of Anchorage’s most popular attrac tions, this educational and
cul tural institution gives visitors the opportunity to experience
a range of diverse Native traditions at a single site. Among the
center’s highlights are five Native “villages,” which are based
on broad tribal groupings that draw upon cultural similarities
or geographic proximity. Native Alaskans throughout the site Raven the Creator, by John Hoover, at
interpret aspects of their cultures. the Welcome House

Southeast Alaska Natives Village Site
Revealing the cultures of the Tsimshian,
Eyak, Tlingit, and Haida peoples of
Southeast Alaska, this site consists
of a simple, undecorated clan house
and a carving shed where Native artists
work on totem poles.

KEY
1 Village Circle
2 Raven the Creator
3 Talking Circle
4 The Aleut (Unangaxˆ ) and
Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) Village Site
occupies a ciqlluaq (also called a
barabara or ulax), a traditional semi-
subterranean sod-covered home.
5 The Inupiat and St. Lawrence
Yup’ik Village Site is housed in a
qargi, a community house usually
made from sod blocks laid over
whalebone frames.
6 The Yup’ik and Cup’ik Village
Site features a circular qasgiq, or
men’s house. Here, visitors can watch
Native Alaskans in traditional clothing . Welcome House
interpret the Yup’ik way of life. The first stop for visitors, the Welcome House contains the
7 Lake Tiulana forms a natural Hall of Cultures, with craft dis plays and historical exhibits,
centerpiece for the village tour. and the Gathering Place, where Native dancers, story tellers,
and drummers perform.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p242 and pp250–51

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