Social and community groups in Alaska: Diverse indigenous communities and cultural traditions. Extensive native corporations and nonprofit organizations. Active volunteer opportunities statewide. Strong outdoor recreation groups and clubs. Various arts and cultural societies. Local chapters of national organizations. Community centers offering activities. Support groups for new residents. Active involvement in ecological conservation. Seasonal events celebrating local heritage.
Diverse indigenous communities and cultural traditions.
Alaska is home to diverse indigenous communities, each with unique cultural traditions, such as the Inupiat, Yup'ik, Cup'ik, Unangax, and others, who maintain practices like subsistence hunting, traditional crafts, and spiritual connections to the land. Community celebrations and cultural centers, like the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, serve as hubs for preserving and sharing these traditions.
Extensive native corporations and nonprofit organizations.
In Alaska, there are 12 Alaska Native regional corporations, which are for-profit entities managing nearly 27 million acres of land for the benefit of over 140,000 Alaska Native shareholders, and 12 corresponding non-profit organizations that provide social services, health care, cultural preservation, and educational opportunities for Alaska Native communities through federal compacts, grants, and other support mechanisms. These non-profits deliver a range of services including health care, scholarships, cultural events, language preservation, and protection of historic sites. To learn more about these entities, you can visit the Overview of Entities page.
Active volunteer opportunities statewide.
Alaska Trails presents a multitude of volunteer opportunities that cater to diverse skill sets, including video and photography, web design, graphic design, and grant writing, enabling individuals to engage in tasks that resonate with their interests. Similarly, Catholic Social Services in Alaska offers numerous ways to give back, such as assisting refugee families, meal preparation for emergency shelter guests, and orchestrating group volunteer projects. These opportunities are available for individuals and groups, with youth participation welcome under parental supervision. The American Red Cross in Alaska expands on these offerings with roles in disaster response, community disaster education, business outreach, graphic design, and fundraising, emphasizing inclusivity by providing positions for various ages and backgrounds, albeit with a parental consent requirement for young volunteers. Meanwhile, Access Alaska supports those aiming to impact seniors and people with disabilities by offering roles in program-related activities, administrative tasks, data entry, and general clerical work. Dedicated individuals may even opt to join their board of directors. For further details on how to get involved, explore the possibilities at Alaska Trails, a pivotal platform that connects volunteers with opportunities to nurture their skills and make meaningful contributions to the community.
Strong outdoor recreation groups and clubs.
Alaska Outdoors hosts weekly hikes on Mondays and Thursdays, open to the public, with Monday hikes tailored for beginners and families, and Thursday hikes for intermediate hikers, utilizing various trails in Anchorage and the Chugach Mountains. Additionally, there are numerous resources for those interested in joining active outdoor recreation groups in the state. For example, there are Meetup groups such as The Anchorage Adventurers and Alaskan Wild Women Hiking & Backpacking Group, along with Facebook groups and dedicated websites, providing valuable trail updates and opportunities to meet fellow hikers. In Sitka, Sitka Trail Works is a community-driven organization that builds, maintains, and promotes trails, offering year-round youth programs, community hikes, and volunteer initiatives to encourage outdoor activity and accessibility for everyone.
Various arts and cultural societies.
The Alaska Native Arts Foundation plays a vital role in supporting approximately 1,100 Alaska Native artists by providing cultural, marketing, and financial development resources. This includes professional development, art sales, and training initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Alaska Native cultures. Meanwhile, the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center works to enhance the understanding of Asian cultures in Alaska through a variety of artistic performances, public events, and community support. Representing diverse communities with roots in countries such as China, India, and the Philippines, it plays a crucial role in cultural representation. In addition, the Alaska Arts & Culture Foundation manages several funds, like the Connie Boochever Arts Endowment and the Margaret Nick Cooke Award for Alaska Native Arts & Languages. This foundation's efforts significantly support the arts in Alaska by advancing the mission of the Alaska State Council on the Arts and offering resources to artists and cultural organizations. A significant aspect of cultural financial support in Alaska is the Alaska Cultural Trust, which was established through a collaboration between the Alaska Arts & Culture Foundation and the Alaska State Council on the Arts. By leveraging public-private partnerships, this trust creates a sustainable funding mechanism for various arts and culture initiatives, thereby fostering a philanthropic culture in the Alaskan arts sector.
Local chapters of national organizations.
While The Arc in Alaska lacks a state chapter, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can find support and services through the local chapter, The Arc of Anchorage. For those advocating for women's rights, the National Organization for Women (NOW) has a presence in Alaska. They offer resources and push for women's advocacy, and more information can be accessed through the National Organization's website. Both organizations provide essential support and advocate for significant social causes within the state.
Community centers offering activities.
In Anchorage, Alaska, The Workshop Community Center offers an engaging array of activities, which include art classes, family dance parties, and community gatherings, all aimed at nurturing social cohesion, creativity, and healthy relationships among residents. Meanwhile, the Community Engagement Center by Hope Alaska provides accessible and inclusive opportunities via recreational and skill-building activities, fostering personal growth and discovery for individuals of all ages and abilities. At Fort Wainwright, the Last Frontier Community Activity Center is a hub for diverse community needs, offering laser tag, playgrounds, and a ballroom to host events such as birthday parties and family gatherings, thereby enhancing community bonds and camaraderie.
Support groups for new residents.
This resource offers a comprehensive guide to finding support groups in Alaska, catering to diverse specific needs such as social skills development, gender identity, and mental health issues. Users can conduct searches by city, zip code, or group name to locate groups that meet their requirements, with choices available for both therapy groups and support groups led by members with lived experiences. Whether you are seeking professional guidance or peer-led support, Psychology Today ensures access to a variety of options suited to individual circumstances.
Active involvement in ecological conservation.
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center is an organization based in Alaska that is devoted to safeguarding the land, waters, and wildlife of Interior and Arctic Alaska. Their mission includes education, advocacy, and defending special places from irresponsible extraction activities while honoring the ancestral and ongoing land and water stewardship of Indigenous Peoples. Across the state, entities like the Alaska Conservation Foundation, Alaska Marine Conservation Council, and Alaska Rainforest Defenders are playing significant roles in promoting conservation philanthropy and sustainable practices. Additionally, groups such as the Alaska Center, Alaska Wilderness League, and Audubon Alaska are also deeply involved in preservation efforts. These organizations focus on conservation through initiatives like advocating for clean air and water, protecting wild lands and waters, and advancing bird and wildlife conservation with science-driven policies.
Seasonal events celebrating local heritage.
Celebration, a biennial festival in Juneau, Alaska, stands as the largest gathering of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people, showcasing an array of traditional songs, dances, arts, crafts, and Native foods. This remarkable event plays a crucial role in preserving and celebrating the local Native heritage of Southeast Alaska. The festival draws thousands of participants and spectators every even year in early June and includes diverse activities such as a Juried Art Show, Indigenous Fashion Show, Native Artist Market, and traditional food contests. To learn more about this vibrant cultural gathering, visit the Sealaska Heritage website for further details and insights.