The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage shares the heritage of Alaska's 11 major cultural groups. The Gathering Place provides visitors an opportunity to experience demonstrations of Alaska Native dancing, Native Games, and traditional storytelling. The Hall of Cultures provides rotating exhibits, craft activities for the family, and craft and artwork created by Alaska Native artists. Outside, visitors can tour the village sites, consisting of six life-sized Native dwellings surrounding Lake Tiulana.
Moose hide Sweetheart Dance Boots
Snow goggles 1875
Shark mask
Three of the six different styles of homes built by the indigenous people of Alaska
Home of indigenous people of SW Alaska
There would have been benches on all four walls.
The higher your status, the further back in the lodge you would live
The back door is a convenience for the tourists
What, the wall has gaps!
In the summer the gaps allow cool air to flow into the lodge.
In the wet winter the boards swell and close the gaps
The traditional entrance and exit
Whale Skeleton
Benches would have been built around all the walls
The skylight was made from seal or walrus intestine
The winter entrance was lower than the living area allowing
the cold air to sink, keeping their home warmer.
The raised food storage hut have been built
away from the home as it would attract bears.
The living space and the kitchen were not attached like this.
They would have been build several yards apart.
The kitchen
