Fairbanks Official Visitors Guide 2008

“When we think of cultural diversity, large cities might come to mind. But it doesn’t compare to the cultural diversity that can be found in Fairbanks, Alaska. I am truly blessed to be an Inupiaq Eskimo, living in the golden heart city, which is also home to the Athabascan Indians. I am proud that I was born and raised here. I love the winter and the white and the cold temperatures, because this long season always brings the promise of spring, which means there will be many activities taking place in our warm city, including dogsled races that feature well known mushers from near and far. Other events include the Festival of Native Arts, where Alaska Native artistry and history are alive on the stage. This is the time when many people from our surrounding villages will come to town to share in the festivities and the friendship. I invite all visitors to come and share in our wonderful community, where the western world and the beauty of Alaska Native culture walk hand in hand. And . . . Mt. McKinley is in my back yard. How many people can say that!” Billie Sundgren, Inupiaq Eskimo, local TV anchor Celebrate its vibrant past and present. Alaska continues to be home to a diverse group of aboriginal people who first called the Last Frontier their home many thousands of years prior to the miners and merchants of the Gold Rush. The three main groups – Athabascan Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts – are collectively referred to as Alaska Natives. However, separately, they represent different cultures, languages and beliefs. Today, 120,000 Native people constitute more than 18% of Alaska’s population, living in remote villages as well as urban cities like Fairbanks. Athabascans are predominant in Alaska’s vast Interior and are known for their decorative beadwork, birch bark baskets and skin-sewed garments. Fairbanks is the host city to the Festival of Native Arts, the Athabascan Fiddle Festival, World Eskimo-Indian Olympics and the Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow where visitors can experience a part of Alaska’s rich Native culture. Large image: © James H. Barker/Alaska Federation of Natives Small images left to right: Chris Arend, Stanton H. Patty, UA Museum of the North/Patricia Fisher. • Athabascans were the first Interior • The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act • The silver hand logo identifies the Alaska Native people to cross the Ber- (ANCSA) created thirteen regional Native work as the authentic work of an ing land bridge and traditionally lived corporations and an additional 200 village Alaska Native artisan. a nomadic and subsistence lifestyle. and urban Native corporations. 5 Jim Tewalt 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Fairbanks Official Visitors Guide 2008

Contents Fairbanks Native Culture Gold Last Frontier Winter Lifestyles Tours Gateway to the Interior & the Arctic Art Around Town Itineraries Family Fun Calendar of Events Fairbanks Denali Neighbors Interior Neighbors "Into the Wild" Alaskan Neighbors Arctic Neighbors Travel Tips Mapping It Out Business Index Who To Call

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