The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is a statewide Alaska Native nonprofit focused on advancing Alaska Native ways of life, ensuring Alaska Native peoples are involved in decision-making at all levels and cultivating leadership from birth to Ancestor. We serve as a catalyst, convener and collaborator on issues impacting all Alaska Natives through hosting dialogues and gatherings on a diverse range of topics across our state. As a small organization with a dynamic scope of work, our values-driven commitment to serving our community is inherent in all we do, including walking our talk by continually Indigenizing the management and operations of our work.
All of our work is done using the guiding principles set forth by our five strategic priorities:
Advancing Self-Determination
Advancing our Ways of Life
Knowing, Living and Loving Who We Are
Shaping the Knowledge that Informs Alaskans
Being Good Relatives
Our Vision
Progress for the next 10,000 years…
Our Mission
True to identity, heritage, and values, Alaska Natives are informed and engaged in leading the decisions that shape the future.
Our Values
Integrity Respect Native Knowledge Responsibility
Operating Truths and Principles
Alaska Natives know best what is best for Alaska Natives
Alaska always has been – and always will be – a Native place
What is good for Alaska Natives is good for all Alaskans
Indigenous knowledge and science is a whole knowledge system in and of itself, equal to all others
We work to embody the strength and knowledge of our peoples, values, and cultures
We love who we are and we believe in our inherent right to exist as distinct societies of Alaska Native peoples in perpetuity
Strategic Priorities Guidance
We are responsible for carrying more than 10,000 years of ancestral knowledge into the future. With rigor, humor, resilience, healing, vigilance, and love, we seek to practice this in all we do in the world around us.
As an organization, we amplify the self-determination of our peoples and work to unify the collective strength of our community.
We prepare Native leaders so they can advance our collective vision of healthy, happy, thriving Native communities.
By stewarding strong relationships across the state and sharing our knowledge, Alaska will become universally recognized and valued as a Native place.
Through First Alaskans, we are honored to work alongside our community to perpetuate and care for our peoples, homelands, and ways of life.
If you’d like information about our strategic plan, our strategic planning process, or want to share this work with others, please email us at [email protected]. We are happy to connect about it.
