“Culture” is defined as the ideas, customs, skills, arts, etc. of a people or group, that are transferred, communicated, or passed along, as in or to succeeding generations. “Advocacy” is defined as the act of advocating, or speaking, or writing in support of something.


Cultural Advocacy takes many forms at the Ahtna Heritage Foundation: Language preservation, traditional Athabascan dance instruction and performance, culture camps, and research. While we strive to be supportive of village-based cultural programs we will seek opportunities that provide benefit to all shareholders.

• The DOE language program consists of developing curriculum based on guidance provided by Elders from all Ahtna villages. When completed, the curriculum will be available for all shareholders and early childhood development programs that wish to use it.  

• The culture camps that are funded by First Nations Development Institute have two goals: to complete cultural educational videos that can be used to teach traditional ways and to identify future culture bearers from the young people that participate in the culture camps. The videos will be available to all shareholders.

Culture is a living thing. We recognize our Ahtna culture will change a little more as the next generation grows up and assumes leadership roles. Understanding this, our leaders today work to preserve our traditional ways as best we can in order to give those coming up a foundation to build on. The programs we implement today strengthen our cultural foundation.
The Ahtna Heritage Foundation advocates for both traditional and western knowledge. We have come to learn that there is a purpose for both.