These groups share their rich heritage of their respective cultures, which not only solidifies the Alaska Native identity, but also educates all people as to the nature of cultures different from ours. In less than three months, perhaps for the first time in Alaska, Native artists, craftspeople and dancers from all major Native culture groups gathered together at UAF to share with each other, the University community and Fairbanks their rich artistic traditions. The first festivals were organized jointly by faculty and students. However, recent years have found the responsibilities of planning and production placed squarely on the shoulders of UAF Native students. The countless hours of making arrangements for housing, transportation, fund-raising, budgeting and more is assumed by these students, in addition to their University course loads.
Planning now takes place year-round.
Such commitment is a testament to a very great pride in cultural values and traditions. Unfortunately, in recent years, local financial support for the Festival of Native Arts has dwindled to an all-time low level. For tax purposes, the Federal Non-Profit Identification Number for the Festival of Native Arts is 8625824949. We thank you for sharing with us our cultures and traditions. People of all cultures are welcome here, regardless of whether they re Native or non-Native, as all cultures have something valuable to learn from each other.