In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution recognizing November as “National American Indian Heritage Month“, also known as Alaska Native and Native American Heritage Month, in order to recognize the “essential and unique contribution[s]” that Native Americans have made “to our nation . . . [and] to the world”.

The Consortium Library offers many resources to help us celebrate and research the culture, history, trials, and contributions of Alaska Natives and Native Americans. It also collects works by Alaska Native authors and illustrators.

Many resources specific to Alaska are located in the Alaskana collection on the second floor of the library. In addition, there are numerous online resources that SLED provides access to via their list of Native and Indigenous Peoples resources.

If you’re interested in an overview of the many books, e-books, journal articles, DVDs, and streaming videos provided by the Consortium library or in resources about Alaska Native and Native American languages, check out our Alaska Native / Native American Heritage Month Guide.

It is our hope that these resources will assist our community as we grow in awareness of the cultures, traditions, and heritage of indigenous peoples, particularly here in Alaska.

Wednesday, November 15th at 6pm, please join us in Library 307 for a wonderful panel discussion: “Writers as Detectives: Celebrating Research and Writing in Alaska Native Culture & History”.

Featuring: Dr. Holly Miowak Guise from University of New Mexico, Dr. Ian Hartman from University of Alaska Anchorage History Department, and Professor Arlene Schmuland, Head of the Consortium Library’s Archives & Special Collections. Moderated by Dr. Maria Williams from Alaska Native Studies at UAA.

This is an event celebrating Alaska Native Studies’ 30th and the Consortium Library’s 50th Anniversary. Co-sponsored by the Alaska Center for the Book.

Parking is free and pizza will be provided.

As the semester winds down, perhaps your thoughts are turning to comfort foods and holiday feasting.

Did you know that the UAA/APU Consortium library collection includes a large cookbook collection? If you’d like to take a break from your studies by spending some time in the kitchen, we have lots of inspiration for you!

A quick search of the Consortium Library Catalog will help you find these resources. You can limit your search to just books in the UAA/APU Consortium. Searching by subject terms will also be helpful. Subject searches for “seasonal cooking“, “holiday cooking“, or for a particular holiday plus the phrase “cooking” (i.e., “Kwanzaa cooking” or “Christmas cooking“, etc.) will yield results that will send you running to the kitchen.

Want some recipes using Alaskan foods? Try searching “cooking – Alaska” or “food – Alaska“. You’ll find recipes with salmon, halibut, berries, and many other traditional foods. A search for “wild plants, edible – Alaska” or “cooking – game” will provide multiple cookbooks with Alaskan recipes. 

Enjoy your time in the kitchen, and happy eating!