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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.

1 to 30 of 761 Objects
Outer Continental Shelf : Eben Hopson, tape 1
Outer Continental Shelf : Eben Hopson, tape 1
This footage features an interview with Eben Hopson of Barrow, mayor of the North Slope Borough.
Outer Continental Shelf : Archie Brower
Outer Continental Shelf : Archie Brower
This footage features an interview with Archie Brower of Barrow, who was president of the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, on the impact of oil spills on sea mammals and sea birds.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 1]
[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.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 2]
[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.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 4]
[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.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 5]
[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.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 6]
[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.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 7]
[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.
[Alaska joint federal-state land use planning commission at Tok - part 1]
[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 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]
[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]
[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.
[Grafton Burke collection - film 9]
[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.
[Aleut Elders Conference 1978, Part 1]
[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]
[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]
[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]
[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]
[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]
[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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
[Adolph Murie collection - select films]
[Adolph Murie collection - select films]
These are films made by naturalist, author, and wildlife biologist Adolph Murie at Alaska's Mount McKinley (Denali) National Park. The scenes include Adolph's wife Louise, his son Jan, and his daughter Gail. They also include wildlife including bears, wolves, fox, dall sheep, caribou, and a variety of birds and waterfowl. According to notes accompanying the films, one scene shows a grizzly bear near a cabin in Toklat within the park. The following details are transcribed from original labels on film containers or from associated handwritten notes; items in brackets are the processor's notes. Weezer and Weazy are nicknames for Louise. Film 1368-106: “[On can]: 160; [On reel]: 1941 begin Gail and Wags at hdqts. McKinley Park; [On white card in can]: Gail and Wags at Igloo in winter, Weezer with Wags winter, playing with stick, Gail at Rising[?], glacier at Igloo in spring, Wags alone at Igloo, Fox pups (and black one) male female good, wolves wild fair, old squaw, wheatear, horned grebe, (film intact) 1940-41; [On pink note in can]: this reel has some wolf shots, mostly fox, sheep, caribou, cut pieces; [On yellow note in can]: Film 9 wolf, birds, fox, Dall sheep, Bears, caribou, brief footage showing 2 children 1 man, Mt. McKinley." Film 1367-17: “[On box]: #8 set #2, McKinley Park May 1949, Snowbirds at hdqts (good), Rabbit (good), Drawn, Splice; [On card in box]: wolf eating caribou on river bar, Wolf drinking, distant shot of wolf feeding on caribou, wolf walking away, grizzly at Toklat by cabin, grizzly in fall snow with grass (good), porcupine feeding in willow, porcupine in willow (good), silver fox, Gail (short shot), gulls in tree (out of focus), ptarmigan flocks flying (good), ptarmigan on ground white-good.” Film 1367-6: “[On box]: #59; finished July 3 '49, Gail and Jan Big Rock [or River?]; cock fowl hen fair, much blank, bear-sheep shaky, squirrel middens, wolf tracks around bridge, wolverine hairs, Checked; [On card in box]: Gail and Jan snowshoe and ski, Pile of sq middins, squirrel cuttings, wolverine tracks, wolf tracks around bridge (overexposed), wolf track (with trap), shaky scenes of sheep, grizzly following wounded sheep, blank film, rock ptarm (out of focus).” Film 1367-67: “[On box]: #15 set #2, bear and fox 66, jaeger poor, ptarmigan and Gail, Gail feeding Wags milk; [On white card in box]: 1940, Willow ptarmigan male in spring (bare ground), closeup of male Ptarm on log-Gail behind, Gail chasing ptarmigan, caribou herd running, Gail with young wolf pup, feeding wolf pup, Wolf pup nuzzling in grass, Gail swinging, Me and Gail and Jan at East Fork.” Film 1367-35: “[On box]: #1, Moose yearling, wolf on Polychrome Rd; [On card in box]: sheep (ewe and lamb) short, wolf on road, wolf defecating on road, wolf going over mt, calf moose (good), cow and calf moose, cow with two calves, moose feeding (out of focus), 2 calves and cow feeding (good shots).” Film 1367-61: “[On box]: #18, Weezy feeding wolf pup, caribou [illegible], silver fox, ptarmigan; [On card in box]: blue film, caribou running, caribou crossing stream, silver fox on snow, silver fox running, silver fox closeups, feeding wolf pup (Weazy), Rock Ptarmigan sitting (out of focus), more ptarmigan on snow, wolf pup.”