This video is an overview of the activities booklet Making Connections: Athabascan Lifeways and You that introduces people of all ages to Athabascan peoples of Alaska, who also call themselves Dene. You can find a free PDF download of the booklet, along with additional educational resources, online at learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/GoNvO21WV3KZzEtw. Through the resources featured on the website, you can visit with Dene people from Alaska, look closely at their cultural belongings cared for by the Smithsonian Institution, learn about their ways of life, and make connections through activities you can do wherever you live.
We would like to recognize the all the Athabascan Elders, Language Warriors, Knowledge Keepers, and Artists who have contributed to these activities. We acknowledge the work it takes for us to remember, reclaim, and grow each of our cultures.
Making Connections: Athabascan Lifeways and You is a collaboration between artist, curator, and Knowledge-Keeper Melissa Shaginoff (Ahtna) and Museum Specialist Dawn Biddison, Arctic Studies Center, Alaska office. Layouts, graphic design and illustrations were created by Dimi Macheras (Ahtna) and Casey Silver of 80% Studios, Inc. All content was reviewed by Knowledge-Keeper, language expert and teacher Kari Shaginoff (Ahtna).
This project was made possible through generous support from the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of the Under Secretary for Education, with additional support from the Smithsonian Regional Councils, FedEx, and the Alaska office of the Arctic Studies Center, National Museum of Natural History.
NOTE: The knowledge that Alaska Natives (Indigenous peoples of Alaska) have shared on this site is their cultural heritage, and they have cultural property rights for this knowledge. Please utilize what you learn from Alaska Natives with respect to their rights, which includes not using what you learn for personal gain such as selling artwork derived from this knowledge. To learn more about how to appreciate Alaska Native cultures respectfully, please go to the collection learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/Ha7AjCcnSBrgNbJt#r/44789 on this site where you will find a video and additional resources to learn more.