ALBUQUERQUE — Six tribal initiatives across the United States, four of which are in Alaska, have been selected to receive funding through the USDA Forest Service/AIANTA NATIVE Act Grants, a program aimed at supporting cultural tourism and recreation projects in Native American communities.
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, announced the recipients as part of its efforts to enhance tribal tourism and strengthen ties to federal lands.
The Cape Fox Cultural Foundation in Ketchikan will use its funds for the restoration of Saxman Totem Park, while the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Juneau will advance a co-stewardship totem pole carving shed project. Additional funding was awarded to the Wrangell Cooperative Association for its totem restoration efforts.
In Anchorage, Chugach Regional Resources received support for Ilakuilluki, a project focused on cultural sharing.
The grants will support projects designed to build infrastructure or boost tourism-related capacity over a two-year period.
