Alaska Film Archives

About the Collection

Over the past half century, the University of Alaska Fairbanks has built the largest collection of archival films in and about Alaska. The collection combines hundreds of donations of film and videos to UAF by individuals, organizations and institutions. Materials range from professional productions to amateur home-movies, made in and about Alaska from the earliest days of filmmaking through today. Since 1993 these materials have been held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library. Films and videos selected for this portal project are a sampling of the thousands available for checkout on DVD through the Rasmuson Library. Unless otherwise noted, items are presented here in their entirety, unedited and uncut. Short, popular clips from the collection can be viewed on our YouTube channel. Read more about the Alaska Film Archives.

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: Legends of the Tanana; This video shows the traditional passing of legends from one generation to the next. Two Athabascan chiefs, Henry from Huslia and Andrew Isaac from Dot Lake, tell stories to members of their villages. The film discusses legends not as history but as a cultural heritage showing values and customs. These exemplify closeness to nature and the land.

: [Fort Yukon, Hudson Stuck Hospital]; This film contains footage taken while flying over a town in an airplane. This is followed by footage of a large wooden building with a flag pole in front, which appears to be the Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital; a sign for the Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital; nurses in white uniforms and children standing in front of the hospital; nurses walking past a farm and speaking with men working on the farm; a man driving a red tractor; people and nurses talking to the man on the red tractor; a group of nurses conversing; nurses talking to a uniformed officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; a small boy and a hound dog; and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer talking with a well dressed man and woman in front of the hospital.

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 1]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23401 is labeled, "Burkes Trip in 1932."

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 2]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23402 is labeled, "...Trip 1930..."

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 3]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23403 is labeled, "Burke in France."

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 4]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23404 is labeled, "Burke's Yukon R. Shots – Mission."

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 5]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23405 is labeled, "Burke - London - On board the boat."

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 6]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938.AAF-23406 is labeled, "Dr. Burke in London."

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 7]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23407 is labeled, "Dr. Burke - Hotel Irving Gramercy Park - Croquet - Enroute Cragsmoor."

: [Alaska joint federal-state land use planning commission at Tok - part 1]; Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) (d-2) public hearings of the Joint Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission recorded in Tok on June 18, 1973. Part 1: Commissioner Harry Carter introduces commission staff member Lucy Carlo, Resource Team member Richard Stemhart?, U.S. Forest Service representative Vern Clapp, Bureau of Land Management representatives Jerry Timmons? and Elliot Lowe?, State Division of Lands representative Bill Arpino, Tok area Superintendent of Schools Dave Lanagan?, Wall Street Journal representative Dick Emil?, Doyon Director Sam Kito, and cameraman Greg Imig. Testimony is heard from: William E. Simons, an engineer equipment operator with the U.S. Army; Chief Andrew Isaac, representing the people of Tanacross and Dot Lake; and an unidentified man seated in the audience.

: [Alaska joint federal-state land use planning commission at Tok - part 2]; Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) (d-2) public hearings of the Joint Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission recorded in Tok on June 18, 1973. Part 2: Sam Kito speaks from the audience. Testimony is then heard from Ms. Morgan of Tok, who has been a homesteader, schoolteacher, and storeowner in the area. Bill Arpino testifies about the relationship between Native Alaskans and white Alaskans.

: [Campaign footage from 1962]; This is a series of film clips used for a 1962 campaign film for U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening. According to notes accompanying the film clips, scenes include Senator Gruening at a Democratic meeting in Tok, speaking with tourists from Colorado at the Alaska Tourist Center in Tok, at the Cathedral Bluff Lodge, at the Dot Lake Lodge and Indian Village, helping to dig a well at the Dot Lake Native Village, looking at wildflower beds at the George Lake Lodge, and with children at the library in Delta.

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 8]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23408 is labeled, “Shipboard scenes, Statue of Liberty.”

: [Grafton Burke collection - film 9]; Motion picture films in this collection were made by Grafton Burke in and outside Alaska circa the early 1930s. Grafton and Clara Burke oversaw St. Stephen's Mission and hospital - later Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital - at Fort Yukon, Alaska for three decades until Dr. Burke died in 1938. AAF-23409 is labeled, "My sons bbing - Burke fam."

: [Aleut Elders Conference 1978, Part 1]; Man plays guitar and sings several songs including "Springtime in Alaska," and then several elders are interviewed at the 1978 Aleut Elders Conference. (See also Tapes 1-5, AAF-402 -- AAF-406, which were recorded during the same conference and contain additional information on traditional activities). Names of participants in the Aleut Elders Conference, speaking in English or Aleut, include the following (note that spelling of names has not been verified): Dushkin; Sergei and Agnes Sovoroff; Dorofay? and Elsie Chercasin; Nick McGlashin; Tcheripanoff; Iliodor Philemonof; Slepston?; Nehus; Larry Maffay? or Maffey?; Paraskovia Wright?; Harry Tiponaise? or Tipponaise?; Charlie Franz; Ed Anderson; William and Moses Dirks; Jenny Golley; John Nazaroff? or Nevzoroff?; Dan Krukoff; Polly Nelson; Alice Petrivelli; Sherry Spitler?; and Lily McGarvey?.

: [Tape 5 - Fish and seafood preparation]; Sergei Sovoroff talks about the kinds of salmon that go up the Nikolski River, when they make their runs, and how they are prepared after they are caught, in Eastern Aleut with English translation. Dan Krukoff talks about fish preparation, in Aleut with English translation. Rusty Chercasin talks about salt water fish, octopus and clams, in Eastern Aleut with English translation. See also Aleut Elders Conference 1978 Part 1, AAF-415.

: [Tape 4 - Clothing and food preparation]; Agnes Sovoroff of Nikolski tells a story in English about when she was a little girl and helping to prepare seal intestines. Jenny Golley and Alice Petrivelli talk about weaving grass baskets, in Atkan Aleut with English translation. Agnes Sovoroff talks about different foods and how they are prepared, in Eastern Aleut with English translation. Continued on Tape 5, AAF-406. See also Aleut Elders Conference 1978 Part 1, AAF-415.

: [Tape 3 - Hunting stories]; Sergei Sovoroff speaks about hunting tools, and the spear and throwing board. Eddie Anderson of Akutan tells about his experiences in a skin boat, in English. Nick McGlashin talks about early training of young hunters, in English. Sergei Sovoroff speaks about fox traps and names their parts, in Aleut. Bill Tcheripanoff of Akutan and Bill Dirks of Atka discuss different hunting spears and throwing boards used by Aleut hunters, in English. Continued on Tape 4, AAF-405. See also Aleut Elders Conference 1978 Part 1, AAF-415.

: [Tape 2 - Hunting sea lions]; Sergei Sovoroff speaks in Eastern Aleut language with English translation about hunting sea lions, clothing, hunting charms, and measurements for making tools. Continued on Tape 3, AAF-404. See also Aleut Elders Conference 1978 Part 1, AAF-415., Patrons are advised to consult with relevant cultural authorities prior to use of this material in new works.

: [Tape 1 - Making a skin boat]; Sergei Sovoroff speaks in the Eastern Aleut Nikolski dialect about how skin boats were made, and Nick McGlashin of Akutan translates into English. Continued on Tape 2, AAF-403. See also Aleut Elders Conference 1978 Part 1, AAF-415.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 3; Eliza Jones from Huslia, Mary Polasky from Nulato, Madeline Solomon of Galena, and Curt Madison of Manley Hot Springs discuss the Koyukon Athabascan language. See also AAF-10225, which contains unedited video footage of this segment. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 5; Ron Scollon and Eliza Jones of the Alaska Native Language Center discuss differences between the communication styles of Native Alaskans and non-Natives. Chad Thompson and Mary Polasky also appear in this production. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 7; Edna Ageak MacLean of the Alaska Native Language Center and Martha Aiken of Barrow discuss the Inupiaq language as it is spoken in Alaska's North Slope region. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 9; This program takes place in Arctic Village. Katherine Joseph Peter speaks about her life in Arctic Village and about the Gwich'in or Kutchin Athabascan language. Chief Walter John of Venetie is interviewed about the history of the area and the importance of his Native language. Historic photos are shown. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 1; Dr. Michael Krauss of the Alaska Native Language Center begins a presentation about the history and status of Alaska's languages. He frequently refers to a map that depicts the regions where different Native languages are spoken. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 4; University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate student Charles Natkong Sr. of Hydaburg, Linguist Jeff Leer of the Alaska Native Language Center, 90-year-old Selina Peratrovich of Ketchikan, and Haida language consultant Nat Edenso of Craig discuss the Haida language. See also AAF-10224, which contains unedited video footage of this segment. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 6; Linguist Dr. James Kari of the Alaska Native Language Center presents an overview of the Dena'ina language and shows several historical photos of the people and villages of the Cook Inlet region. Dr. Kari interviews Native speakers Shem Pete and Billy Pete of Willow. Shem Pete performs the Chikalusion Mourning Song and a Love Song. See also AAF-10224, which contains unedited video footage of this segment. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 8; Inupiaq Eskimo from the Kobuk River Area to the Seward Peninsula. Linguist Dr. Lawrence Kaplan of the Alaska Native Language Center, Ruthie Sampson, and Irene Katchatag of Unalakleet discuss the Inupiaq language as it is spoken in various areas of Alaska. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 10; Dr. Michael Krauss and Jane McGary of the Alaska Native Language Center discuss the history of the Alaska Native Language Center's library and archives. Dr. Krauss also gives a tour of their manuscript holdings. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

: Talking Alaska: The Priceless Heritage of Alaska's Native Languages - part 2; Dr. Michael Krauss of the Alaska Native Language Center continues his presentation about the history and status of Alaska's Native languages. Produced for the Alaska Native Language Center; Irene Reed, 1979, at Media Services, U of A, Anchorage.

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Alaska Film Archives

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