The First Alaskans Institute is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

foundation dedicated to developing the capacities of

Alaska Natives Alaska Natives (also known as Alaskan Natives, Native Alaskans, Indigenous Alaskans, Aboriginal Alaskans or First Alaskans) are the indigenous peoples of Alaska and include Iñupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and a num ...

and their communities to meet the educational, economic and social challenges of the future. With a Board of Trustees composed of current and former presidents and chairs of the

Alaska Federation of Natives The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 178 villages (both federally recognized tribes and village corporations), thirteen regional native corporations, and twelve re ...

, the Institute is committed to promoting healthy Native communities through

public policy Public policy is an institutionalized proposal or a decided set of elements like laws, regulations, guidelines, and actions to solve or address relevant and real-world problems, guided by a conception and often implemented by programs. Public ...

analysis/research and leadership development. The current President/CEO is La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow.

Alaska Native Policy Center

The Alaska Native Policy Center is a Native

think tank A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-govern ...

of the First Alaskans Institute that provides information on the condition and needs of Native people and assists Natives in becoming actively involved in the issues that impact the future. The Policy Center has researched and published several reports, such as Alaska Native Perspectives, a survey of Native perceptions of public issues, Alaska Native K-12 Education Indicators Reports, a statistical review of Native educational performance; and Our Choices ~ Our Future, a compilation of data on Native population, health, economics and education.

Leadership development

First Alaskans also focuses on empowering the next generation of Native leaders through various

leadership development Leadership development is the process which helps expand the capacity of individuals to perform in leadership roles within organizations. Leadership roles are those that facilitate execution of an organization's strategy through building alignmen ...

programs - such as an annual "Elders and Youth Conference during AFN Convention week"; an annual summer

internship An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time. Once confined to medical graduates, internship is used practice for a wide range of placements in businesses, non-profit organizations and gover ...

program that provides challenging job experiences, leadership discussions and networking opportunities; and a fellowship program that nurtures emerging policy makers and uses the instruments of democracy to create social change.

References

{{Authority control Non-profit organizations based in Alaska Alaska Native organizations Native American organizations

Alaska Native Policy Center

Leadership development

See also

References