The Rich History of Alaska

A legacy of many thousand years

Any historical perspective of Alaska must begin with the first people’s relationship with their surroundings. For them, there was no separation between the land, sea, creatures, atmosphere, and seasons. All were deeply intertwined, a seamless, dynamic, interconnected living world. Their myths and legends reflected this. Their culture flourished until the advent of European diseases, weapons and governing structures.

Russian & American Enterprise

The western concept of ownership was first applied in Alaska through the Russian America Company, with the notable leadership of Alexander Baranof. Since then, ownership of Alaskan lands and it’s abundant resources have shifted and evolved with the United States purchasing Alaska in 1867. Seward’s Folly turned out to be anything but. Alaska’s natural resources have been the basis of dynamic boom and bust revenue generators: the gold rush, timber harvest, fisheries, and the recent goose that laid the controversial golden egg—OIL.