In the vast, rugged expanse of Alaska, where the land whispers tales of ancient traditions and resilient peoples, a remarkable story unfolds. A University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) alumna now helms the only statewide cultural organization dedicated to advancing all Alaska Native cultures and traditions—the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC). This milestone is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and a deep-rooted commitment to preserving and celebrating Indigenous heritage. Emily Edenshaw, who graduated from UAA in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism, stands at the forefront of this mission as the President and CEO of ANHC. Her journey from student to leader encapsulates the intersection of personal healing, academic empowerment, and cultural stewardship, offering a compelling narrative of leadership in the modern era. In this article, we’ll explore Edenshaw’s path, the significance of her role, the work of ANHC, and the broader implications for Alaska Native communities and beyond.
Emily Edenshaw: From UAA to Cultural Leadership
Emily Edenshaw’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Born into the rich cultural tapestry of Alaska Native heritage, she faced profound personal challenges that shaped her trajectory. In 2007, the tragic loss of her husband in an accident left her searching for purpose and healing. It was during this pivotal moment that she turned to education, enrolling at UAA. Reflecting on her time there, Edenshaw has said, “There are no words to describe how thankful I am for my time at UAA. The only way I can express my gratitude is to encourage other students to pursue higher education.” Her years at UAA were more than an academic pursuit—they were a lifeline, bringing her back to a sense of self and community.
At UAA, Edenshaw pursued a degree in communication and journalism, graduating in 2012. This foundation in storytelling and public engagement proved instrumental in her future endeavors. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Alaska Pacific University and later embarked on a Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she remains in her third year as of 2025. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding and amplifying Indigenous perspectives, a thread that runs through her professional life.
Edenshaw’s ascent to the presidency of ANHC in 2021 marked a significant milestone. As a UAA alumna, she brings a unique blend of personal experience, scholarly insight, and cultural fluency to her leadership role. Her appointment underscores the role of higher education institutions like UAA in nurturing leaders who bridge the gap between academic knowledge and community impact, particularly within Alaska’s Indigenous populations.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center: A Cultural Cornerstone
Founded in 1989 by the Alaska Federation of Natives and opened to the public in 1999, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is a living testament to the diversity and vibrancy of Alaska Native cultures. Located in Anchorage on the traditional lands of the Dena’ina Athabascan people and the Native Village of Eklutna, ANHC serves as the state’s only statewide organization dedicated to celebrating and advancing all Alaska Native traditions. Representing over 11 distinct cultural groups—including the Iñupiat, Yup’ik, Aleut, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Eyak, and Athabascan peoples—ANHC is more than a museum. It’s a dynamic space for education, healing, and cultural exchange.
The center’s mission is threefold: to preserve and strengthen Alaska Native traditions, languages, and arts; to foster statewide collaboration and celebration; and to ensure that thriving Alaska Native peoples and cultures are respected and valued. Visitors to ANHC can explore life-sized traditional village sites, watch performances of song and dance, and engage with interpretive exhibits in the Gathering Place. It’s a place where history is not static but alive, where youth connect with Elders, and where the stories of Alaska’s First Peoples are told with authenticity and pride.
Under Edenshaw’s leadership, ANHC has gained national recognition. In 2021, it was named one of “America’s Cultural Treasures” by the Ford Foundation, an initiative honoring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) arts and cultural organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This accolade came with a $3 million grant over four years for general operating support, plus $100,000 in technical services—an unprecedented investment in Alaska Native cultural preservation. Edenshaw described the award as a “huge surprise,” a validation of ANHC’s vital role and a springboard for expanding its healing, cultural, and educational programming.
The Significance of an Alumna at the Helm
Edenshaw’s leadership as a UAA alumna carries profound symbolic and practical weight. Alaska, with its population of over 140,000 Alaska Natives (roughly one in five residents), is a state where Indigenous voices are integral yet often underrepresented in mainstream narratives. Having a UAA graduate lead ANHC signals the university’s role in empowering Alaska Native individuals to take the reins of their cultural institutions. It’s a powerful example of how education can serve as a catalyst for leadership within Indigenous communities.
At UAA, programs like Alaska Native Studies and Native Student Services provide critical support for Indigenous students, grounding their academic experiences in Native values and ways of being. Edenshaw’s success highlights the potential of these initiatives to produce leaders who not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to their communities. Her journey from student to CEO reflects a broader trend at UAA, where nearly 10% of the student body hails from Alaska Native or Indigenous backgrounds, and where efforts to integrate Alaska Native perspectives into the curriculum—like the recent requirement of three credits in Alaska Native-related courses—aim to foster cultural awareness and pride.
For Edenshaw, her role at ANHC is personal as well as professional. Her time at UAA rekindled her spirit, and now she channels that energy into ensuring that Alaska Native youth see themselves as part of a vibrant, living community with a robust future. Her leadership bridges the past and present, honoring the path paved by previous generations while forging a new way forward.
Impact on Alaska Native Communities
Under Edenshaw’s stewardship, ANHC continues to be a beacon of cultural resilience. The center’s programming—ranging from language revitalization efforts to hands-on workshops with master artisans—empowers Alaska Natives of all ages to reclaim and celebrate their heritage. In a state where over 20 distinct Indigenous languages are spoken, many of which are endangered, ANHC’s work is urgent. It provides a space where Elders share knowledge with youth younger generations, ensuring that traditions like totem carving, ivory work, and storytelling endure.
The Ford Foundation grant has amplified these efforts, enabling ANHC to expand its reach. Initiatives like the digital guide app and partnerships with schools and community organizations bring Alaska Native culture into classrooms and homes across the state. For rural communities, where access to cultural resources can be limited, ANHC serves as a vital link, offering virtual tours and educational materials that connect people to their roots.
Edenshaw’s leadership also emphasizes healing—a core tenet of ANHC’s mission. For many Alaska Natives, historical trauma from colonization, forced assimilation, and land dispossession lingers. ANHC’s focus on cultural pride and community offers a pathway to reconciliation and strength, a mission Edenshaw embodies through her own story of personal recovery.
Broader Implications and Legacy
Edenshaw’s role at ANHC reverberates beyond Alaska. As Indigenous-led organizations gain prominence globally, her leadership positions ANHC as a model for cultural preservation and advocacy. The “America’s Cultural Treasures” designation places it alongside institutions like the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Apollo Theater, highlighting the universal value of Indigenous stories in a multicultural world.
For UAA, Edenshaw’s success reinforces its mission to transform lives and communities. It’s a point of pride that an alumna leads such a groundbreaking organization, inspiring current and future students—especially Alaska Native students—to see higher education as a springboard for impact. Her ongoing Ph.D. work in Indigenous Studies further ties her leadership to academic rigor, enriching ANHC’s programs with scholarly depth.
Conclusion
Emily Edenshaw’s rise from a UAA student to the President and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center is a story of grit, grace, and cultural devotion. As an alumna, she exemplifies the transformative power of education, turning personal loss into a legacy of leadership. Under her guidance, ANHC stands as Alaska’s cultural heartbeat, preserving traditions, fostering healing, and inspiring a new generation of Alaska Native leaders. Her journey reminds us that the past is not just a memory—it’s a living force, carried forward by those bold enough to lead. In a world often disconnected from its roots, Edenshaw and ANHC offer a powerful reminder: culture is not a relic, but a roadmap to a thriving future.
