Alaska Native Customary Art Fair

🎨 The Best and the Finest in Alaska

Dates: October 16–18, 2025

Location: First Floor, Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, Anchorage, Alaska

Presented by: Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Website: nativefederation.org

The Alaska Native Customary Art Fair is the premier showcase of Indigenous artistry in the state, held annually as part of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. With over 170 Alaska Native artists and 90 corporate and nonprofit exhibitors, this event transforms the convention floor into a vibrant marketplace of cultural expression.

🧭 Where to Find Me Table# 125

My table is located in the middle aisle, just behind the corporate and company exhibitors, —easy to find and perfect for browsing. The first day tends to be exploratory, as attendees walk through the aisles to discover which artists resonate most with their interests.

🛍️ What You'll Experience

This is the largest public gathering of delegates, Native dance groups and Alaska Native fine artists, attracting over 5,000 participants from across the state and beyond. The fair offers a rare opportunity to purchase directly from artists representing diverse tribal traditions, from emerging talents to internationally recognized creators.

Expect to find:

• 170 Alaska Native and American Indian fine artists

• Hand-sewn fur parkas, malagayaq hats, mittens, and gloves

• Intricate ivory earrings, miniature carvings, and porcupine quill jewelry

• Traditional items made from seal skin, grass, and wood, including paddle oars, masks, and baskets

• Original paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works that reflect the materials and stories of Alaska’s Indigenous communities

• Yes, much much more will be available

🌙 Evening Highlights

Each evening features Quyana Alaska, a beloved cultural celebration showcasing Native dance groups from across Alaska and the Lower 48. These performances honor ancestral traditions and contemporary expressions of identity.

The week concludes with a banquet on Saturday, October 18, featuring Native comedians, speakers, and special guests. Tickets for Quyana Alaska and the banquet will be available through AFN’s website.

🏛️ About AFN

The Alaska Federation of Natives is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes:

• 176 federally recognized tribes

• 143 village corporations

• 11 regional corporations

• 11 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums

First Floor, Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska

AFN plays a pivotal role in shaping policy and advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels, addressing economic development, infrastructure, and social equity for Alaska Native communities. Governed by a 38-member board elected annually, AFN’s convention is a cornerstone of Indigenous leadership and cultural celebration.

We eagerly anticipate reconnecting with friends and neighbors, some of whom we haven’t seen in many years—at this powerful gathering hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives. More than an event, the AFN Convention is a living expression of unity, strength, and shared purpose among Alaska Native peoples.

For many, this gathering is rooted in a deep spiritual understanding: that the lands and waters of Alaska are not owned but borrowed. They are gifts from Ellam Yua, the Person of the Universe, entrusted to us with the responsibility to care for them wisely. This belief has guided Alaska Native communities for thousands of years, shaping a way of life centered on love, selflessness, and stewardship.

Traditionally, hunting and gathering were never acts of individual gain, but of communal generosity. The bounty of the land and sea was shared among every community, especially with those in need. A village was considered a single family, and neighboring villages were seen as relatives, bound by mutual respect and support.

Many of our late elders spoke of a sacred continuity—threads of spirit woven across generations and traditions. They often shared, “The Creator we honored in our dances and gatherings is the same as Jesus Christ—the one who shaped all life in the land and waters.” This understanding reflects a powerful harmony between Indigenous spirituality and Christian faith, embracing both ancestral wisdom and present-day belief.

May our Creator bless and protect all who gather at this convention, guiding each heart with peace and purpose.