Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage

On May 19, the Rasmuson Foundation hosted the NACF board and staff at a special evening reception at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, another 2010 grantee. The Rasmuson Foundation provided a generous $10,000 match to the $10,000 grant from the NACF in 2010, bringing the total award to $20,000. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a globally renowned cultural facility that promotes and shares the rich heritage of Alaska’s 11 different cultural groups. Following an evening of camaraderie, refreshments, Alaska Native dancing, and a stirring performance by Emily Johnson, the NACF was taken on a guided tour of the Heritage Center’s exhibits and grounds.

“These gifts demonstrate strong tribal interest in creating a powerful funding engine for protecting and preserving Native art and culture—the very cornerstones of tribal sovereignty. A foundation of this nature will help reverse the long history of government suppression of Native culture done as part of the United States' assimilation program. Through gifts of this nature, Indian Country can direct its resources to protect what is closest to home to all Indian tribes—our own cultures."

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Board Chair, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Of counsel, Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C.

Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage

2011/2012 Grantees

2010/2011 Grantees