Indigenous Place Names

In 2018, the Anchorage Park Foundation received a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation to begin work on a parks and trails indigenous place names project. The project aims to creatively, accurately, and beautifully highlight the culture and history of Anchorage and our indigenous people.

Soon after the project began, it became clear that parks and trails signage is a contributor and catalyst to a larger movement of Indigenous Place Naming. Being a part of Anchorage’s Indigenous Place Naming Movement means that you invest in changing the paradigm. Signage is one physical representation of this shift , but there is also a shift in processes, recording, mapping, experiencing, and celebrating.

From this project, we’ve learned that to change the paradigm and create a city that honors the Indigenous Place, there must be three components:

1. The leadership of a local culture bearer; 2. Advisory oversight from a broad base of stakeholders; and 3. Involvement of an Indigenous artist if it is appropriate to the project. It is the combination of these three elements that allow a project to become part of a Movement and live beyond initial contributors to the next generation of our community.

The Dena’ina fire bag was selected as the project’s symbol because it represents “living with the outdoors” and sharing of fire and knowledge. Fire bags were used by the Dena’ina people to store and transport fire-making materials such as tinder and embers. Dentalium beaded designs are used both traditionally and in contemporary clothing, materials, and artwork. The dentalium bead patterns are used to represent Dena’ina fine art. The final bag and beadwork designs were created with the artistic oversight of Melissa Shaginoff, an Athabaskan artist who grew up learning the lifeways of the Dena’ina.

32 culturally significant sites have been identified by the Native Village of Eklutna, the only tribe in the Municipality of Anchorage recognized by the state and federal government. Each site is a highly visible public destination along the municipal park and trail system, which follow the ancient pathways of the Dena’ina. This commemorative landscape combines metal art sculptures, Dena’ina language, and storytelling designed by an Advisory Committee of Alaska Native people, artists, and advocates.