The descendants of Russians, and rugged prospectors. The rich tapestry of modern Alaska is woven with threads of proud Native cultures, hardy Russian explorers, and adventurous gold seekers. There are seven distinct Native cultures in Alaska, and dozens of sub-cultures. The primary Native cultures are the Inupiat and Yupik Eskimos of the Far North, the Aleuts of the Southwest, the Athabascan Indians of the Interior, and the Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian Indians of the Inside Passage. These groups have distinct cultural traditions, art forms, and languages.
Many Native people are bilingual in English and their own dialect.
Native Alaskans are the descendants of nomadic explorers who crossed a prehistoric land bridge that linked Siberia and North America. Those early travelers became the ancestors of Alaska Natives and other American Indian nations in the Lower 48. Living a nomadic lifestyle, early Alaskans adapted well to a unique, often harsh environment and developed a spiritual world rich in tradition. Today, Native Alaskans play a vital role in the state's economy and society, while preserving their traditional cultures. When Alaska Was Russian The lives of early Alaskans remained basically unchanged for thousands of years, until Russian sailors, led by Danish explorer Vitus Bering, sighted Alaska's mainland in 1741.